717 Rescued

These flowers were in with garden waste at the curb in my neighborhood.  The marigolds were such a beautiful vibrant color---difficult to achieve, but irresistible.  

"717 Rescued"
acrylic - 6x6 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/717-rescued/423528

584 Pier at Big Bay

Big Bay Park at Lake Michigan is one of my favorite spots to go any time of the year.  There are two paths down to the beach area, one with at least a million lannon stone steps, that completely immerses you in nature, and the other is a gentle winding slope.  The beach is fairly small but that's where I like to go to pick rocks and the occasional bit of sea glass.  I never come home with empty pockets.  The pier is a favorite place to sit on a calm summer day.  During the summer months, there are quite a few visitors there because it is easy to manage, but during the winter is when you see the dramatic ice that has formed on the lake and the pier.  Here are pictures I took this winter of the pier and the winding steps to the beach. The reference photo for the painting above was taken a week or two ago.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/584-pier-at-big-bay/366229

573 Plymouth Beach, MA

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/573-plymouth-beach-ma/363489

572 Plymouth Beach and Rocks

I love the beach and being near water.  I especially love rocks.  While I was wandering around Plymouth Beach, I was wishing I could bring a suitcase full of them home.  The colors were so beautiful!

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/572-plymouth-beach-and-rocks/353236

568 Plymouth Beach, Massachusetts

On Sunday, my friend took me to Plymouth Beach where I was so happy to see the grey sky and roaring sea.  I took hundreds of photos, catching every wave and frequent changes in the sky.  I even chased a few sea gulls off the cliff walk.    I have been influenced by artist, Roos (Rose) Shuring, who paints en plein air in the Netherlands, and am motivated to learn to paint the sky and sea in a new way.  Although she has inspired me, I am not willing to paint outside in the winter weather because  I hate the cold.  I have been visiting the Lake (Michigan) frequently since I have been home,  and realize there is not much difference between our Great Lake and the ocean.  I have always loved being near water, (hmmm, wonder if that's the Aquarius speaking) but learning through observation is very exciting to me.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/568-plymouth-beach-massachusetts/351865

317. Snapdragon Flip

304. Shy

I was a little hesitant about painting the spider mums.  This is the third attempt.  In one other painting, they ended up as hydrangeas (ah, the freedom we have),  the other was gessod over.  I'm fairly happy with the way these turned out

302. Flip

This is another little arrangement I made from Trader Joe's flowers.  I love the snapdragons and the little flip they create. 

301. Free Spirited

My sweet husband came home with two bundles of mixed flowers this week.  I decided to paint from my own little arrangements rather than the fussy arrangements from the floral department of the grocery store.  I enjoy that so much more.  This is a simple arrangement of white mums and pink alstroemera. 

233 Inside of a Tulip

228 Quartered

194 Asian Pears

When I saw these pears growing on my friend's tree, I thought they were apples.  The skin is rough and they are very hard, but when I bit into it, I was in for a big surprise---juicy and delicious.