1004. At the End of the Day

 

I love this calming scene.  My daughter took the photo in Mazomanie, Wisconsin at the Blackhawk River Runs a few years ago.  The photo is mostly black and white, so I had to get creative with the color.  I've painted this scene a few times and this time I wanted to try various shades of blue, which I find to be such a calming color.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1004-at-the-end-of-the-day/850008 

930 Lavender Fields and 932 Lavender Fields, Too

While I normally paint only from photos I have taken, once in awhile I see a photo a friend has posted and request permission to paint.  My friend, Marlene took this scene's photo while on Washington Island, Door County Wisconsin and posted it on Facebook.  Thank you Marlene for the beautiful photo and permission.

After painting the billiard balls, I needed to paint something a little looser.  A ho-hum response from my (color blind) critic in residence encouraged a second try.  Which do you like better?
Let's see if we agree.

930 was painted with acrylic, 931 was painted with oil.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/930-lavender-fields-and-932-lavender-fields-too/751368

892 Sunshine Farm

On the ride home from Door County a few years ago, I came across this beautiful farm with fields of sunflowers.  It was such a charming scene, in my mind.  Much to my dismay, the sunflowers were gone the following year and replaced with corn fields.

This painting has sold.

854 Sunset Trail, Peninsula State Park

The light shining through and on the trees on the Sunset Trail is captivating.  I find the undergrowth almost as interesting as the trees.  In the Spring, there are tiny purple irises that blanket the ground. The felled birches are so beautiful, too.  It's a beautiful place to hike or bike ride.

"854 Sunset Trail, Peninsula State Park"
acrylic - 6x8 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/854-sunset-trail-peninsula-state-park/576640

853 White Cedar Forest, Sunset Trail, Peninsula State Park

The Sunset Trail in the Peninsula State Park, Door County, Wisconsin is one of my sacred places.  I never miss a chance to walk the path and bask in the glorious light streaming through the trees.  I must have hundreds of photos of trees and light!

The path is 10 miles for the long version or 3 miles for the short one.  When our children were young, it was our tradition to ride bikes for the long trail. There is a spot where a sign urges "Parents, Watch Your Children"  at a steep incline, and our kids would always defiantly speed up and ride hands free. One recent visit, my husband and I took each other's pictures near the sign pretending to be frightened.  Those 10 miles seem much longer now that we are older, and certainly not as much fun without the "kids."

"853 White Cedar Forest, Sunset Trail, Peninsula State Park"
acrylic - 6x8 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/853-white-cedar-forest-sunset-trail-peninsula-state-park/576474

849 Feeling Jubilant in Door County

I am getting ready and excited for another season in Door County.

"849 Feeling Jubilant in Door County"
acrylic - 8x6 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/849-feeling-jubilant-in-door-county/569956

847 ...With a Cherry on Top

I am getting ready and excited for another season at the beautiful Edgewood Orchard Galleries, and of course,  Door County is known for CHERRIES!

"847 ...With a Cherry on Top"
acrylic - 6x8 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/847-with-a-cherry-on-top/567424

716 Drive By Photo Shoot

I am constantly reminded to squint when I am painting so as not to paint harsh lines and fussy details, in fact, I recall with a smile that in one class, our instructor asked us to smear Vaseline on our glasses to blur the image we would see.  It was a fun exercise.  This photo (reference) was very blurry because we were clipping along in Door County.  I just can't resist a photo op when I am in the passenger seat. 

"716 Drive By Photo Shoot"
acrylic - 6x8 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/716-drive-by-photo-shoot/423300

713 Somewhere in Door County

We spent the weekend in Door County, where the tourist season is wrapping up.  Many of the stores, restaurants and galleries will be closed by November 1.  The Fall colors were beautiful, even on the grey Friday, and the cold, rainy blustery Saturday.  Sunday was beautiful with blue skies, a perfect day for a walk on the Sunset Trail at the Peninsula State Park.  I took many photos from the car while in motion, otherwise we would have worn out the brakes.

"713 Somewhere in Door County"
acrylic - 6x8 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/713-somewhere-in-door-county/422406

656 Rebellious

"656 Rebellious"
acrylic - 6x8 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/656-rebellious/398501

644 Late Afternoon at the Harbor

This was a lovely scene in the harbor at the sailing center, Milwaukee, Lake Michigan, Wisconsin, where I go to study the relationships among water/sky/boats.  I am still frustrated when painting these water scenes, specifically boat scenes.  I am concluding that painting in a small format presents more difficulty for me, as I have had success with larger formats.  Any way you look at it, I may be moving on to land soon!

"644 Late Afternoon at the Harbor"
acrylic - 6x6 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/644-late-afternoon-at-the-harbor/394324

625 Door County Classic

Door County has always been known for it's cherry production.  They have become even more popular since research has shown the antioxidant health benefits of cherries.  You can buy cherry jam, wine, honey, juice, salsa, pies, sausage, dried cherries, frozen cherries, and the list goes on.  The cherry trees are in full bloom now, which means that the cherries will be ready to pick in approximately 60 days. 

624 Slight Dip

This is another scene from the Sunset Trail in Peninsula State Park, Door County.  Painting these last few path scenes has helped me with a large painting I have on my easel of a path leading to the sea in Hilton Head.   There is a lot more to it than the path, but I feel I made good progress there today.   I'll keep plugging away.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/624-slight-dip/388401

623 Rest Stop

This is another vignette from the Sunset Trail at  Peninsula State Park in Door County, Wisconsin, a most beautiful and peaceful place.  This one gave me a little trouble. 

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/623-rest-stop/387981

622. Sunset Trail, Veering Right

Despite the humidity, the rain, and the intense allergy conditions, I am mentally back in Door County on the Sunset Trail.  Here is another scene, this time painted with acrylics, and fyi, I'm not asking my husband's opinion today after yesterday's response.  hmpff.  I wonder which scene and medium you prefer.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/622-sunset-trail-veering-right/387705

621 Sunset Trail

Door County, Wisconsin is a beautiful place, a peninsula with Green Bay to the west side and Lake Michigan to the east and not much distance in between.  Peninsula State Park is a popular place for camping, biking, hiking and cross country skiing.  On Saturday, the day after my party, I walked along the beautiful Sunset Trail, so grateful for the beautiful scenery, the perfect lighting, and all the blessings of the weekend, reflecting on good friends, beautiful art, and admiration for Mother Nature. 

On Sunday, yesterday, I watched an artist demonstrate his painting technique at the gallery.  He uses inexpensive hardware store brushes and paints with liberation.  Maybe it was my mental return to this scene, or a reckless abandon, or possibly a new-found confidence, but I loved painting this so loose and without intimidation by the oil paints.   My bubble was burst when my husband asked, "What is it?" 

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/621-sunset-trail/387433

587 West Bend, WI

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/587-west-bend-wi/367338

581 Door County Sunset

I thought I'd take a little break from the grey winter skies and seas and paint from a reference photo taken last Fall in Door County, Wisconsin where the sunsets are spectacular.  There is a particular restaurant, Buster something or other, where tables are set outside for all to witness the breathtaking views. 

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/581-door-county-sunset/365578

493 Field of Sunflowers

On the return from our Door County plein air painting trip, we passed through Algoma, Wisconsin, where we saw such a beautiful turquoise barn with yellow trim and a salmon colored roof next to a breathtaking field of sunflowers.  I doubled back to photograph it and am nearly finished with a larger painting of the image.  I need to set it aside for a little while to critique it with "fresh eyes."  I am so drawn to this farm that I have been tempted many times to make the nearly 2 1/2 hour drive to see it again. 

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/493-field-of-sunflowers/286710

287. AHA Moment