1053 Time and Patience

 

This painting started out as an exercise in side lighting as part of the class I took 2 weeks ago.  I have modified it since then.  Learning new things takes a lot of time and patience.  So does painting and just about everything worth anything in life, I think.  

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1053-time-and-patience/904522

1052 Merrily, Merrily, Merrily

 Slowly but surely, and with lots of practice, I am letting loose of old habits and embracing some new techniques for my paintings.  I have always painted what I see, but in this case, the pitcher and cup were white and the vase was mostly dark blue.  I keep thinking of Chicago local artist/mentor and teacher, Steve Puttrich's saying, "It's a poem, not a police report."  I love that idea,  and repeat it to myself often when I find myself getting too fussy.

So what do you think?

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1052--merrily-merrily-merrily/903672

1051 Summertime and the Living is Easy

 I got a lot of mileage out of these sunflowers and other props during my week long painting class last week.  Sunflowers are such a happy flower and brighten up any room.  I am growing them in my garden this year and they are growing to be enormous.  I was given the seeds by my friend Roberta and I had no idea what kind of sunflowers they would be, but now I see they are bigger than life!  Hopefully they will FIT in a painting.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1051-summertime-and-the-living-is-easy/902901

1050 Summer, Straight Up with a Lemon Twist

 Did you miss me last week?  I had an action filled week at a zoom art class 8 a.m. till 5 p.m. every day.  It was wonderful, but very tiring.

This painting really spells summer to me--sunflowers, zinnia, cherries, and lemon(ade).  What more can you ask for?  I hope you like it.

1049 Channeling Kees van Dongen

I recently received a beautiful thank you note from a purchaser, which featured the painting Le Coquelicot by Kees van Dongen, Dutch painter 1877 - 1968.  I’ve had the card on my desk for many weeks and am intrigued by the woman in the painting who seemingly stares at me while I work.   I looked up other images of the artist’s work, and discovered the consistent emphasis on the eyes of his subject because in my opinion, the eyes are the window to the soul.  I was so happy to discover that this artist painted one of my favorite paintings at the Milwaukee Art Museum, Woman With Cat, 1908.  

It is a valuable method for learning to occasionally copy the masters' work, or even a modern day artist I like.  The Palette and Chisel here in Chicago even offers a class with this focus.  I decided to paint van Dongen's painting, which was more difficult than I thought it would be, and there are errors glaring at me.  van Dongen made it look so easy.  I'm not sure if I'm supposed to sign my "copy"---it just doesn't feel right.

(SURPRISE, Le Coquelicot means "The Poppy."  I should have paid more attention in French class.)

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1049-channeling-kees-van-dongen/897149

 

1048 Across the Zig Zag Bridge

 The Chicago Botanic Garden is one of my favorite places to visit.  Since we are members, we can go on a whim (within covid limitations) and enjoy a little or a lot of time in the gardens.  We recently visited when the mid-spring gardens were in full bloom.  These absolutely stunning irises en masse lined the banks of the island of the Japanese gardens when crossing the Zig Zag Bridge.  

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1048-across-the-zig-zag-bridge/895530

1047 Happy Days Are Here Again

 As usual, backgrounds are my nemesis.  This is the third one I tried.  It will have to do for now.

I grew the bright red dianthus on my roof.  It's so vibrant and it makes me happy.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1047-happy-days-are-here-again/894844