1213. A Million Little Things to Think About

 The title probably has you wondering...but I'm not ready to say.  I have a new series in mind and this would be the first.  I need to make sure I follow through.  There is so much to think about.  ha ha

1197. Secret Hideaway

 Continuing on with the same basic palette as previous painting, this was more of a challenge. I do love the colors and am sure they will have an important part in future paintings.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1197-secret-hideaway/1043301

1184

 I'm crazy about this limited palette, which is very soothing to me.  It reminds me of all the beautiful seas I've been fortunate enough to visit.  

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1184/1028796

1180. Respite

 I took a big step this week by painting over the painting below which was supposed to be titled "June July August" because that's how long I had worked on it.  When it slid well into September, that's when I said "ENOUGH!"  I was so sick of it by then and was happy to paint something that feels more like "me."  In the class I am taking, the new lesson was about subtle contrast, which I love, and the concept of first look/second look.  First look is supposed to grab you, second look is what keeps you close to observe all the little details and subtle contrast you would not see from across a room.  I love subtle contrast, or in my mind moody, dreamy paintings.  I even added a few subtle references to my quilting days.  See if you can find them.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1180-respite/1022125

1179. Family Dinner

 It was really difficult to work on such a large canvas, but I had it available and decided to use it.  It took lots of energy and paint to finish it!

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1179--family-dinner/1020736

1175. Around the Bend

 This is the most representational of all five paintings in this series.  It is the point on the beach at Anna Maria Island where a wanderer meets Bean Point, a very private point where shelling is plentiful.  That's the place I head when I visit the island.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1175--around-the-bend/1016963

1118 Jumped in with Both Feet

 Painting a 48 x 48" canvas is a major commitment.  There is no backing down.  If I thought I was putting my toe in the water before, this was me diving in to the deep end.  I had another more colorful painting in this spot, but was tiring of it, so I painted a new one, with more of a calm feel.  I think Oliver likes it too.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1118-jumped-in-with-both-feet/961124

1108 Playtime, 1109 Leftover Paint, 1110 Bad Day

It has been a long time since I've posted a painting, but I've been busy painting every day.  I am not able to post several paintings until Christmas because they are commissioned gifts, because someone somewhere will recognize the subjects.  

I've been fascinated with abstraction for many years and have tried it periodically without success, at least what I think of as success.  There is so much more to a successful abstract than just paint slapped on to a canvas.  The same basic principals of a good painting still apply.  Some may disagree with me, but that's my feeling and I'm sticking to it.  As an artist who paints what she sees, painting intuitively or from imagination is very difficult, but I am determined to improve.  I've made a complete mess of things in my studio, and have some things to post at a later date that I am happy with, at least enough to post.

I've posted the three paintings above not because I like them, but because they illustrate some of the many approaches one can take.  The first one, I'm okay with.  I did have a vision for a very large, now completed abstract, but first I had to play around with the tools and paints.  I made the rust pigment with instructions from artist/teacher Mary Mendla, which was a lot of fun and interesting.

The second more colorful painting style is all over the internet by a few artists, one in particular who has achieved great success using this "formula" which is drawing inspiration from beautiful gardens.  She is a California artist named Betty Franks.  It may look easy but it is not, I assure you.  Betty uses many, many tools and many, many layers of paint.  Her work have grown on me because they are so colorful and happy.

Intuitive painting is a fascinating subject I haven't fully studied, but am learning.  It makes sense to me if, once again, the basic principals are adhered to in the end, which I feel is almost intuitive in itself if you have those things embedded in your head.  This painting began as just a piece of heavy paper covered in beautiful pastel colors, but then something happened to make me very angry and I reached for the black paint and spread it angrily all over the paper.  My son applauded me, and I admit I did feel better, but I wouldn't say this is going to be in my repertoire in the future.

Tune in for more....

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1108-playtime-1109-leftover-paint-1110-bad-day/959237

1054 Pretty in Pink

 I started this painting during my recent online class, and have changed a few things since then.  It's always helpful to put a painting away for a few days and then revisit it.  I love having the artistic freedom painting gives me.  The gravy boat is really white, but I thought that would be too boring.  I am just now feeling comfortable changing things.

Have a wonderful holiday weekend, and be safe!

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1054-pretty-in-pink/905100