Lana Fiala

Hiatus - Montague Mill

2011-12-03T19:50:00.000-05:00

12"x12" Acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas

This is a view of the Montague Mill from an unusual perspective. I haven't see this approach painted before...Lady Killigrew Cafe and some of the tables that have a view of the Sawmill River. I was really attracted to painting this scene for the interesting architecture. On a nice day, this is also a wonderful place to sit and take in the Montague Mill view and vibe.

Emily Dickinson Homestead

2011-11-18T14:23:00.000-05:00

8"x8" Acrylic on canvas

I painted this from the sidewalk in front of the B&B, The Amherst Inn, that is across the street from the Dickinson Homestead.

Mt. Sugarloaf - Autumn

2011-11-12T13:41:00.001-05:00

20"x20" Acrylic on canvas

This year's fall view of the Connecticut River and the Holyoke Range from Mt. Sugarloaf.

Emily Dickinson Homestead - The Oak

2011-08-13T10:40:00.006-04:00

10 1/4" x 7" Watercolor, Pen and Ink
sold

I've always loved the combo of watercolor with pen and ink and immediately thought of this medium for this subject. The oak tree was around when Emily Dickinson was alive and is mentioned in several of her poems. The garden, the fence and hedge have all been newly restored in the last couple of years to the Emily Dickinson Museum here in Amherst.

Bookmill Umbrellas

2011-07-26T20:11:00.001-04:00

6"x8" Acrylic on panel
sold

The Bookmill in Montague is such a special place! Check out this article that appeared in the LA Times in Feb. 2011.

Night Kitchen, Montague Mill (#2)

2011-07-24T15:31:00.001-04:00

6"x8" Acrylic on panel

My goal is to do a series of the Montague Mill from different views and sizes.

Night Kitchen, Montague Mill (#1)

2011-07-22T23:24:00.002-04:00

9"x12" Acrylic on panel

sold

Our artist cooperative, Sawmill River Arts, is up and going at the Montague Mill. What a beautiful place! I've already completed several small paintings of this view of the Night Kitchen restaurant...our building is seen in the background on the left.

Fruit Displayed in Stand

2011-07-07T20:02:00.000-04:00

12"x12" acrylic on board

This is a study I did of Gustave Caillebotte's painting "Fruit Displayed in Stand." It's been months since I painted and I was feeling like I was starting from scratch all over again. I decided to do a study and just work on technique and get the feel of painting again.

Gouldian Finch

2011-03-18T19:32:00.001-04:00

6"x6" Acrylic on canvas

I worked from a photograph a friend took of this little finch at Magic Wings....I did a little research and discovered it is a native of Australia.

DVAA Winter Show

2011-02-26T21:48:00.001-05:00

My "Butterfly Paradise" series on display at the Deerfield Valley Arts Association Winter Show at Wilson's in Greenfield. The show runs through March 12th.

Butterfly Paradise - The Lacewing

2011-02-20T12:34:00.001-05:00

6"x6" Acrylic on canvas

This is the final canvas of my series "Butterfly Paradise." All five pieces will be in the Deerfield Valley Art Association Winter Show at Wilson's Dept. Store in Greenfield, opening this Friday (2/25), with a reception on Sat. 2/26.

Paysage Bovin

2011-02-14T22:41:00.000-05:00

12" x 36" Acrylic on canvas

This is a view from Cook Farm in Hadley featuring the Holyoke Range. I started this painting in the fall and finally got around to finishing it.

Butterfly Paradise - Blue Morpho

2011-02-12T15:28:00.001-05:00

6"x6" Acrylic on canvas

I'm having fun with this series!

Butterfly Paradise - Cairns Birdwing

2011-01-29T10:19:00.006-05:00

6"x6" Acrylic on canvas

My second butterfly! I'm very happy with how loose this painting is. Given this is my third painting in the series, I see how the experience of painting similar subjects is so beneficial.

Butterfly Paradise - Hecale

2011-01-26T23:14:00.003-05:00

6"x6" Acrylic on canvas

This is a little accompanying painting to "Bird of Paradise." It is meant to hang to the right of "Bird of Paradise," but can also stand on it's own. I'm currently working on another 6"x6" that is meant to hang under this one. I will post a picture of how they all go together as soon as I've finished.

Bird of Paradise

2011-01-16T11:21:00.002-05:00

16"x 20" Acrylic on canvas

It was fun painting such a tropical themed painting in the middle of winter. I worked from a photograph taken by Louise at Magic Wings.

Five College Art Mug

2010-10-19T16:01:00.030-04:00

11 oz ceramic mug
$11.95

Here is a full view of the image.

The buildings featured are:
Mary Lyon Hall, Mt. Holyoke College
Lyman Conservatory, Smith College
The Yurt, Hapshire College (home of the on campus radio station)
Johnson Chapel, Amherst College
W.E.B. Du Bois Library & Old Chapel, UMASS

Autumn View

2010-10-18T16:02:00.014-04:00

11"x14" Acrylic on canvas

I started this painted during the first day of Louise's workshop. It was a chilly, windy autumnal day, so we stayed inside her studio to paint. I like the abstract quality of the window on the right and the three little paintings on the left.

Cow at Rest

2010-10-17T22:29:00.002-04:00

6" x 12" Acrylic on canvas board

I painted this at Cook Farm in Hadley during Louise's workshop. It was so fun to get out and do some en plein air painting again after such a long hiatus.

Magic of Summer's End - Show

2010-09-08T19:18:00.000-04:00

Please click on image to view larger - our latest show

Theo & Will in Space

2010-06-29T15:25:00.004-04:00

36" x 12" (each panel) Acrylic on canvas

These are my first paintings since Theo and Will arrived....can't wait to hang in their room.

My latest and, by far, my best work!

2010-04-20T18:27:00.001-04:00

My twins, Will and Theo, who will be 5 months old on Sunday!

Upcoming Show - Opening July 18th

2009-06-05T17:17:00.001-04:00

(click on image to view larger)

Three Flowers in Green Vase

2009-04-14T09:33:00.003-04:00

10"x8" Acrylic on canvas panel

Here's my other favorite painting from my workshop with Ellen Rolli. This was the last painting of the day for me and I feel that I was was able to incorporate a lot of techniques we talked about.

Rose in Green Vase

2009-04-13T15:16:00.003-04:00

10"x8" Acrylic on canvas panel

I took wonderful 1-day workshop with Ellen Rolli in Boston this past Saturday. This is one of my favorite paintings from the day. It was a timed exercise - 15 minutes.

Kool Kat

2009-03-24T17:20:00.002-04:00

6"x6" Acrylic on canvas

I had fun with this pose (same as "Tangerine Cat") and thought to do another painting in different but equally vibrant colors.

Nose to Nose

2009-03-23T14:51:00.002-04:00

6"x6" Acrylic on panel

I painted this from my daily sketch posted on January 30th. I worked just from my pen sketch and am very pleased it! I am planning to bring this to our "Celebrate Spring at the Mill" show that is currently running at Mill Studio & Gallery at the Montague Mill. Stop by and say hello!

Tangerine Cat

2009-03-21T19:02:00.010-04:00

6"x6" Acrylic on canvas
sold

Sunshine Bliss

2009-03-20T15:14:00.001-04:00

6"x6" Acrylic on canvas
sold

I think anyone with a cat will recognize this expression...

Birthday Cupcake

2009-02-17T23:20:00.004-05:00

A special family member's birthday is coming up and I've been thinking of fun images for birthday cards.

Cupcake

2009-02-16T14:54:00.000-05:00

Just fooling around with my color pencils and thoughts of cupcakes.

Sweethearts for Valentine's Day

2009-02-14T10:53:00.001-05:00

These are such the quintessential Valentine Day candies from childhood.

Happy Valentine's Day!

2009-02-14T09:49:00.003-05:00

Here's a second version of my valentine ladybug done in watercolor and colored pencil.

Valentine Ladybug

2009-02-13T21:01:00.007-05:00

I'm making this image into cards for Valentine's Day!

Art Opening!

2009-02-13T15:24:00.003-05:00

As a founding member of "In Sight Artists", I am happy to announce we are having our first show of 2009 at Louise Minks' Millworks Studio & Gallery at the Montague Mill. Please click on the postcard above to see a larger view. I invite you to visit the "In Sight Artists" blog link under "links".

Fur Face Trio

2009-02-10T23:08:00.003-05:00

Our kitty cats - Sammi, Sasha and Sabrina.

Cat Studies

2009-02-09T00:01:00.004-05:00

I started with a pencil sketch of Sammi and did a couple of studies to play around with my watercolor pencils. Not surprisingly, one study ended up looking amazingly like Sasha (Sammi's brother). I really like the combo of my watercolor pencils and pen.

Out Sledding

2009-02-08T10:48:00.002-05:00

It feels like winter is here to stay - for a long while!

Fancy S'more

2009-02-03T23:03:00.001-05:00

I was thinking how fun it would be to make indoor s'mores since it's too cold to be outside!

after Pierre Bonnard, "The Table"

2009-01-31T22:25:00.000-05:00

I read an interesting article in the NY Times this weekend about an exhibit at the Met of Bonnard's interiors. I'd love to go see it.

Nose to Nose

2009-01-30T12:31:00.000-05:00

Aren't animals great just great!

Waving to the crowd

2009-01-29T23:02:00.003-05:00

I saw an image of President Obama waving to the crowd and liked the compositional elements of having him in the foreground, from the back, in a sea of faces.

Abe

2009-01-28T23:55:00.001-05:00

Have Presidents on the mind.....

Clown Fish

2009-01-27T23:58:00.000-05:00

I saw this photo in a Smithsonian magazine and it brought back memories of being attacked by a clown fish on my first scuba diving experience. They're small, but don't underestimate them!

Sabrina's Dish

2009-01-26T22:51:00.001-05:00

ok, it was late and I needed to get my daily sketch in. As you've probably guessed, Sabrina is one of our kitty cats.

Dev Patel

2009-01-25T22:12:00.000-05:00

What an intense movie!

In Coach

2009-01-24T18:48:00.001-05:00

Sketched this coming back from my impromptu trip out to SF.

View from Adagio Hotel

2009-01-23T18:43:00.001-05:00

I tried out my colored pencil with this one.

Obama-rama

2009-01-22T18:40:00.000-05:00

Obama!!

2009-01-21T18:36:00.000-05:00

I started this as a blind contour drawing, then added shading.

California Street

2009-01-20T18:20:00.000-05:00

I sketched this from a a magazine article - it brought back good memories of working in downtown San Francisco.

Brithday Breakfast 2009

2009-01-19T20:46:00.002-05:00

I sketched this from a picture Christopher took of me as I ate my birthday breakfast sandwich. I really have to push myself to keep going, even after I've corrected angles, etc. That's the thing with sketching in ink- you can't erase or make parts lighter. It's a great exercise, though, and is helping me loosen up and not be so worried about my sketch being perfect. After all, its a sketch! Thanks to Christopher's well composed shot - I really like the composition.

Sammi & The Paper Clip

2009-01-18T22:31:00.003-05:00

Sammi loves to play fetch with a bend rubber paper clip. She is hilarious! I was trying to capture her with the paper clip and had to take several photos. I thought this image was funny, although the lighting was terrible because of the flash and that she was so close. I love that the paper clip is in the center and that Sabrina is peeking up from the stairs.

Tropical Rain Forest Friend

2009-01-17T11:43:00.001-05:00

This guy is the reason I bought my Tropical Rain Forest book - I saw this picture and knew I had to draw him.

New York Times Square

2009-01-16T00:14:00.005-05:00

We were in the big apple at the beginning of January. I did these sketches from our photos. (click on the image to see it better)

Mother's Little Helper - Peppermint Mints

2009-01-14T20:56:00.003-05:00

I have this little tin of "Mother's Little Helper" mints.

South American Hoatzin

2009-01-11T16:51:00.004-05:00

A strange feathered friend from the tropical rain forest.

I've Been Adopted

2009-01-10T18:48:00.002-05:00

I saw a photo of this cat, Gracie, in a box that said "I've been adopted". She had an expression of alarm bordering on panic that was so funny. I'm sure she is happy and well-loved in her new home.

New Year's Resolution

2009-01-09T17:30:00.006-05:00

I really want to focus on honing my drawing skills, and the only way to do that is practice, practice and more practice. So, my new year's resolution is to do a sketch-a-day (of course, I'm starting 9 days into the new year, but it's never to late to start a new year's resolution!) . I particularly want to focus on animals and people. My goal is to do several gestural 10-15 minute sketches a day to build my accuracy and speed. To stay motivated, I'm planning on posting a daily sketch during the month of January. Please check back during the month - I'd love to hear your comments!

New Holiday Cards!

2008-12-06T01:55:00.008-05:00

"Holiday Snowman"

"Holiday Tree"

To order holiday cards, please click on "HOLIDAY CARDS" label or visit the "HOLIDAY CARDS" category to the lower right. Paypal accepted. Thank you and happy holidays!!

Acorn Squash

2008-11-02T10:12:00.002-05:00

6"x6" Oil on masonite

The baskets of winter squash at the Hadley Sugar Shack have inspired me to try out a variety of squash recipes. A butternut and acorn squash soup with thyme and sage served with homemade croutons has been a big hit.

Pumpkin '08

2008-10-30T22:42:00.004-04:00

6"x6" Oil on masonite

The other day, I noticed that it smelled like pumpkins when I went outside. I love New England in the autumn! I bought three little pumpkins from the Hadley Sugar Shack which I'm planning on using in a pumpkin soup.

Autumnal View

2008-10-24T11:04:00.004-04:00

10" x 8" Oil on canvas panel

This is a view from a friend's place in Pelham. I had a great time painting with Aaron and learned a lot! Check out his site www.storybreathing.com

Cook Dairy Barn

2008-10-22T08:39:00.003-04:00

9"x12" Oil on canvas panel

I painted this at Flayvors farm stand on Cook Dairy Farm. I originally intended to include cows in this, but decided to leave it as is with the big shapes of color uninterrupted.

Autumn Road

2008-10-21T22:29:00.004-04:00

12"x9" Oil on canvas board

I painted this Sunday morning during Louise Minks' "New England on Fire" workshop. It was sooo cold that morning.

The Red Tractor

2008-09-23T16:51:00.004-04:00

10"x 20" Oil on canvas board

Plainsville Farm was harvesting their lovely field of butternut squash on Moody Bridge Road.

Apples & Two Pears

2008-09-22T16:06:00.010-04:00

9"x12" Oil on canvas board

It's been fun working on this little "Apples and Pears" series of three paintings so far from one set-up.

Apple Half

2008-09-18T15:53:00.012-04:00

6"x6" Oil on canvas

I've had these apples and pears set up in a still life for a couple of days as I've been working on a small series of paintings. They are slowly disappearing (yummy!), so I don't have much time to finish up.

Apples & Pears

2008-09-17T16:09:00.005-04:00

6"x6" Oil on canvas

Fall is upon us here in New England!

Salt Pond

2008-09-16T15:15:00.003-04:00

10"x20" Oil on canvas board

This Salt Pond/National Sea Shore in Eastham is such a wonderful spot on the Cape.

Grounded Sailboat

2008-09-15T08:28:00.004-04:00

10"x10" Oil on masonite

This is Paine's Hollow in Wellfleet - the first location we painted as soon as we arrived on the cape.

Little Bunkhouse

2008-09-14T19:10:00.002-04:00

9"x12" Oil on canvas panel

This is the original bunkhouse on a friend's Cape Cod property.

Winding Water

2008-09-09T16:29:00.004-04:00

12"x9" Oil on canvas panel

I painted this view from Fort Hill on Cape Cod last week. I was there with Louise Minks who led a wonderful 4-day painting workshop.

Hadley Barns

2008-08-31T16:06:00.003-04:00

12"x16" Oil on board

This is a view from Huntington Road in Handley looking over tobacco barns.

The Conversation

2008-08-27T15:15:00.005-04:00

12"x12" Oil on masonite

This is the Black Sheep Deli in Amherst, a very popular place. Great ham & cheese croissants!

Red Window

2008-08-07T16:40:00.008-04:00

10" x 10" Oil on masonite

I painted this at the Porter-Phelps-Huntington House Museum from their beautiful gardens today. We will be painting a series on and around the Porter-Phelps-Huntington grounds this next year in preparation for an on-site art show next summer in commemoration of Hadley's 350th anniversary. www.pphmuseum.org

Sammi at the Window

2008-07-27T15:00:00.002-04:00

12"x9" Oil on canvas board

Sammi can sit for hours looking out this window.

Garlic

2008-07-23T16:03:00.004-04:00

6"x6" Oil on illustration board

We (the Cold Spring Gallery Co-op) will have a tent at the Garlic Festival in Orange, MA in September. Last year's garlic festival introduced me to cold-weather garlic which I just love.

Figurative Sketch

2008-07-16T23:46:00.004-04:00

9"x12" Oil on masonite

This is a 20 minute figurative sketch I did on a previously used board. I like the effect of the vague negative erased image in the background.

The Black Sheep - Study II

2008-05-18T07:57:00.009-04:00

6"x6" Oil on masonite

I like the abstract qualities in this composition.

The Black Sheep Cafe- Study I

2008-05-15T17:03:00.011-04:00

6"x6" Oil on masonite

Participating in the Easthampton "paint out" really got me fired up to paint en plein air! There are so many wonderful views and street scenes to choose from in Amherst. However, a street scene without the black sheep deli just wouldn't be right. So, I started with doing a couple of studies of the beloved deli and hope to get out there this next week to work on a larger version.

Flowers Outside The Music Room

2008-05-11T18:28:00.003-04:00

20"x16" Oil on stretched canvas

I've been working on this on and off for a couple months now since completing "The Music Room" in February. I'm putting it up in our "Interior / Exterior" show which is going on now through June 28th at the Cold Spring Gallery in Belchertown.

The Fork

2008-05-10T15:37:00.008-04:00

12"x12" Oil on masonite

This is my entry in the 1st Annual Easthampton Plein Air Competition and Exhibition. The competition began on Thursday and the exhibit can be seen at the Nashawannuck Gallery through May 30th. I set up just down the street from the Gallery, whose "Art" and "Gift" signs are visible in my painting. What a great event! Brilliant idea to have the "Paint Out" coincide with the Art Walk Easthampton. I can't wait to see all the paintings! check out the gallery: www.nashawannuckgallery.com

Another Little Teapot

2008-05-06T14:36:00.004-04:00

6"x4" Oil on paper

Here's another little teapot sketch! I'm having fun painting on this postcard stock I have. I really am working on a larger teapot painting! Hopefully, I'll be posting that soon.

Open Figure Drawing

2008-05-02T12:17:00.003-04:00

9"x12" Oil on canvas board
30 minute study

This started as a 30 minute study. I've since worked on it at home to bring it to a more complete finish.

Teapot & Tea for Two

2008-04-24T23:07:00.005-04:00

"Teapot"
5"x7" Oil on paper

"Tea for Two"

5"x7" Oil on paper

These little paintings are studies on watercolor postcard paper that I gessoed.

Who Doesn't Love a Cupcake?

2008-04-17T22:33:00.012-04:00

6"x6" Oil on masonite

"Who doesn't love a cupcake?" - I find myself thinking this often.

Fruit Trio

2008-04-15T20:27:00.004-04:00

6"x6" Oil on masonite

Harkening back to my workshop with Peggi Kroll-Roberts, I loaded my brush and limited my brushstrokes. Yummy!

Bend in the Road

2008-03-28T13:36:00.005-04:00

7.75"x12" Oil on canvas

This old tobacco barn in Hadley is no longer standing, unfortunately.

Red Curtains

2008-03-27T09:39:00.005-04:00

12"x9" Oil on canvas panel
sold

I painted this in Oakland at my friend Namie's place. Namie really fixed the place up - so much more jazzed up than when I lived there! I love these red curtains and the chandelier she installed.

San Francisco - Lauren's View

2008-03-25T07:52:00.007-04:00

5"x7" Oil on clayboard

I had a wonderful trip to the Bay Area where I split my time between Oakland and San Francisco. I stayed with my friend, Lauren, while I was in the city. She has a great place on Alamo Square. Here is her view of some beautiful San Francisco Victorian homes outside her front windows. I tried to take advantage of my east coast internal clock and painted this one before going out for my morning coffee.

Getting Ready

2008-03-21T13:19:00.007-04:00

5"x7" Oil on stretched canvas

It's always fun to be a real "girlie-girl" once in a while.

Amherst College's Robert Frost

2008-03-08T15:45:00.006-05:00

6"x6" Oil on stretched canvas

The class of '57 presented this Robert Frost statue to Amherst College last year (2007).

Quabbin Study

2008-03-01T22:38:00.008-05:00

"Quabbin - Cool Study"
12"x9" Oil on masonite

"Quabbin - Warm Study"
12"x9" Oil on masonite

"Quabbin - Full Range Study"

12"x9" Oil on masonite

I'm taking a 6 week class with Janet Palin. This was a great study. After choosing one of our own photos and deciding on a composition, the assignment was to paint a cool version, a warm version and finally version incorporating both cool and warm colors.

Singing Band-Aids

2008-02-28T15:46:00.009-05:00

5"x5" Ink and watercolor on paper

I have these great animal print band-aids that gave me the idea for this "get well" drawing. I'm sending this card to a few friends who might need a little laugh while they're getting better.

The Music Room

2008-02-25T20:33:00.006-05:00

6" x 6" Oil on stretched canvas

sold

This is a little study I did in preparation for a larger painting which I'm working on.

Geraldo & Me

2008-02-20T22:19:00.006-05:00

20"x16" Oil on stretched canvas

Our friend, Chris, who served in Iraq sent us a photo of himself and Geraldo a couple years ago. I immediately wanted to paint this scene because it's just so surreal, complete with Geraldo wearing rose-colored glasses. Our sincerest "thank you" goes out to Chris and all those brave men and women who have served in this war. Welcome home.

Alameda Point

2008-02-15T18:09:00.003-05:00

7.75"x5" Watercolor on paper

I painted this on Alameda point.

San Francisco - Downtown

2008-02-14T18:32:00.011-05:00

8.5"x5.5" watercolor on paper
"TransAmerica"

5"x7" watercolor on paper
"Ferry Building"

Here a two more little watercolors I did a few years back of San Francisco sites. I sketched "Ferry Building" on my lunch break on a sunny day.

Las Galinas

2008-02-13T11:17:00.005-05:00

5.5"x8.5" Watercolor on paper

Here is a little watercolor I painted from a picture we took while birding at Las Galinas a few years back.