1240. Farmgirl

 I received a beautiful floral arrangement recently from a friend.  It was from Farmgirl Flowers and full of beautiful pink and red flowers in a pretty pink vase with a ribbon.   It was a very cheery arrangement, and making this painting on a grey and dreary Chicago day really perked up my spirits.  I really don't like winter, and this was fun to paint.

 In case you are wondering, Farmgirl flowers never disappoints!  They ship beautiful arrangements anywhere in the country, sometimes in vases, other times in burlap, and I've never been disappointed on the sending or receiving end. The arrangements are unusual and often exotic and plentiful.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1240-farmgirl/1104171

1198. The Meaning of Life

The concept of Wabi-Sabi has always intrigued me, as I have a fondness for old, worn, imperfect items, which I know have meaningful beauty and hidden stories. I live near elevated trains and the patterns of the rusty supports always sends a little surge through me. Chipped and weathered paint sends me to the moon.

This piece, The Meaning of Life is the first piece where I worked directly on the cradled board. OMG. I've been deprived until now!! It was so much fun, and even the sounds of the scraping and sanding were delights.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1198-the-meaning-of-life/1043833

1193. Grassy Knoll

 https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1193--grassy-knoll/1038115

1192. I Wish I Might

 

This was such a fun series to work on, and I love the final result.  Here is the last of five little paintings for Cedarburg Cultural Center's exhibit, The Little Show.  The maximum size allowed for all artwork is 36 square inches.  Each of these is 6" x 6".  Inquiries can be directed to Jeanette@artmusichistory.org

1186. Kid In a Candy Store

 Red was always my favorite color until Blue came along, which may have coincided with a move to New England.  Both colors now compete for my affection and both have so many good qualities that warm my heart.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1186-kid-in-a-candy-store/1029869

1185.

 I tried to veer away a little from all the blue I've been painting.  We have two Japanese Maples in our front yard, one is a tall upright tree and the other is a shorter weeping tree.  This painting reminds me of the latter as the leaves change in the early fall.

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

1173. Wandering Thoughts

 While painting this, I envisioned the rocks, the wall and the lap of the lake on the shore at my favorite hiding place.  I just threw the suggestion of a fence in  because I was trying out a new tool.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1173-wandering-thoughts/1016586

1171. Somewhere Out There

 I've gotten a lot of positive feedback about this color palette, and I especially like working with the turquoise color, which has many possibilities.  

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1171-somewhere-out-there/1015246

1169. In Due Time

 My class with Louise Fletcher has just ended and I am filled with joy.  During the eight weeks, I have completely submerged myself in all things abstract.  The class was different from anything I'd ever taken before, focusing NOT on method, but figuring out what kind of art I want to make, and then figuring out how to do it, all with the aim of enjoying the process.  The end result was more confidence which helps build a painting I can be proud of.  Louise's premise is that if my art makes me happy, it will make other people happy too--certainly not everyone, but if I'm making art that doesn't make me happy, it will not be authentic, and the viewer will know it.  I've decided to continue on with her follow up class because I have more to learn from Louise and the wonderful coaches.  

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1169-in-due-time/1014555

1161 Deep Dark Secrets

I love the practice of layering paint to cover a previous painting, collage paper, or secrets. I like to see the random bits of color from earlier layers, in this case a still life followed by an abstract.  

1152 As It So Happens

 

As it so happens, I was eager to add this brilliant Violet/Magenta color to my palette and a day later we bought the most beautiful orchid at Costco in this same color.  AND as it so happens with many abstract paintings, it can be hung in whatever direction you like.  I painted the picture with the top view, but I kind of like the second better.  There's something more optimistic about the upturned arches.  Which orientation do you prefer?

This painting is for sale, unframed. 

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1152-as-it-so-happens/994550

1050 This, That and the Other Thing

 I finished two paintings this week. My first painting, 1149 An Old Fashioned Girl (pink and red) didn't sit right with me, even after a couple days after posted on my social media. The stenciled part was too contrived and it bugged me. So today I fixed it by eliminating it. I'm still not crazy about the painting, but I'm moving on for now. I'm sure there will be another adjustment, but for now I'm setting it aside. Lesson learned: working on only one abstract painting at a time breeds obsession and fussiness. Posting pics of both.

Second painting is 1150 This, That or the Other Thing, really fun to make. I've had the idea in my head for awhile had to get it out of my system. I was going for a tone on tone and what I think surfaced is remnants of my work in various disciplines: quilting, calligraphy, stencilling.

It's pouring rain today here in Chicago, but tomorrow we are expecting 82 degrees. Time to get out in the garden. Happy painting and enjoy the weekend, All.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1050-this-that-and-the-other-thing/993633

1149 An Old Fashioned Girl

 

I thought I'd try a different color palette this time, not sure it's going to stick around.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1149-an-old-fashioned-girl/993251

1148 Black Beauty

 

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1148-black-beauty/992731

This is the first painting that I've been able to really utilize my new sander.  Wow! is it fun.  While painting, I didn't worry so much about what the paint was doing because I felt like the sanding might correct the things I wasn't crazy about.  I'm really happy with this one.  There's a mysterious softness to it.  The hardest part was coming up with a title.  Nothing came to me, so I just used Black Beauty because the collage paper was from the book.  I hope you like it.

1147. Ode to Wordle

 What a week.  I've learned so much with this painting to take forward.  I learned that letters in a painting such as the ones at the top left are no easy feat to achieve.  All but one letter were made with printer's blocks or hand painted.  I learned that going from a small format to a large format is not easy.  Many things don't look appropriate in scale when you size up.  I learned that the technique of sanding back does not work as well on a stretched canvas as it will on a hard surface.  And I learned that men are quite curious about seeing a woman in the power tool aisle. Nothing more to say about that.

Now about Wordle. I'll be honest that I can't get enough of it.  Every morning I work on Wordle, the daily Quordle (4 puzzles at once), and then sometimes I work on practice Quordles later in the day.  I take keeping my mind sharp very seriously, and heck, it feels good to solve the puzzles.

I got my Covid booster this week, and the day after was no picnic in the park.  I get the feeling that there's another uptick here in Chicago, so I am taking every precaution.

Till next time, have a meaningful holiday, whatever you celebrate.  

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1147--ode-to-wordle/992430

1145 Window of Opportunity

 I seem to be drawn to these muted colors, and to work in multiple of threes.  I must remember to expand my mini series.  I am very pleased by the feedback I have received.  I am enjoying this little journey and hope to continue.  Thanks for following.

1144. All Part of the Plan

 

I've been really digging deep in expanding my horizon and my head is swimming from all the information AND the discoveries I've made.  I had some old jars of good quality paint in unusual colors and have been experimenting mixing new hues, as well as giving black paint a second chance.  I've very rarely used black, but have discovered a whole other palette of colors.  I've been scraping and sanding and my hands are covered in paint.  I'm having a ball and am discovering what I like and what I don't.  It's "all part of the plan."

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1144--all-part-of-the-plan/990052

1142 Hidden Treasures

 I really loved making this piece!  I felt free as a bird and didn't plan what was happening  at the time, but I like the end result.

1141 Attention Seekers

 This color palette is a little different than my usual, but I love the relationship between the orange and blue-green.  I found three of the items at resale shops or flea markets while in Florida. 

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1141-attention-seekers/987758