1298. Formation

 

We visited Saugatuck, Michigan and stayed at a lovely bed and breakfast.  I was captivated by this stunning view of trees carefully planted on an angle.  I knew then I had to paint them to try to capture their essence.  

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1298-formation/1225971

989 Don't Go, Summer

After my recent enjoyable plein air experience which produced disastrous paintings, I found myself slipping into that place that no artist wants to visit.  I needed to refocus and decide what kind of a painter I wanted to be, what style, what voice, what I want to communicate.  I know I'm different--I like painting on a black gessoed surface, and some may gasp at that, but I like it.  My work may not be technically perfect, but hey---it's "me."  I can take class after class and yes, I learn a lot from other artists, but what I so desperately need is to learn is to maintain my own style, method, voice.  

I'm not sure I am cut out to be a plein air painter.  I'm getting older and it is a fairly strenuous activity.  I hate to admit that, but it's true.  But, I'm not ready to give it up, so I may try again with more of what I am familiar with--my acrylics and all my unique practices that make me comfortable and therefore, more productive.  

A couple of days ago, it was warm, but very clearly, Fall was in the air.  I went for a walk near the Lincoln Park Zoo, which is located on beautiful wooded grounds.  I took lots of pictures of scenes including trees, which I failed to paint satisfactorily at the plein air event.  I needed to paint one of those scenes as a metaphor for "getting back on the horse."

I'm more of a still life painter, but I love landscapes and have painted a fair amount of them.  I will continue to appreciate the strong verticals of Mother Nature's most beautiful sculptures--TREES.  I will continue to focus on the large shapes, the light and the shadows, to capture what elements tell MY story, to simplify, and to find the hero in my story.  These are the teachings of Steve Puttrich, the extraordinarily talented and nice guy who was so patient with me, knowing there were many new components to my plein air experience.  Thank you, Steve.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/989--dont-go-sumer/828530

 

862 Sunset Trail, November

I never seem to tire of painting trees.  I love the strong vertical of these sculptural beauties and decided to make changes to the color of the tree trunks, just for fun.

The Sunset Trail in the Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek Door County provides endless inspiration.  I can't even guess at how many photos of trees I have taken there.

"862 Sunset Trail, November"
acrylic - 14x11 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/862-sunset-trail-november/598017

860 Looking East: 6:37 p.m. at Fred & Fuzzy's

Door County has the most breathtaking views of sunsets over Green Bay.  There is a popular restaurant in Sister Bay Door County, Wisconsin called Fred & Fuzzy's where you can sit outside and

enjoy the beautiful sunsets along with good food and a beautiful atmosphere.  

What I have discovered is that when the sun is setting in the west, sometimes the view is even more beautiful if you look to the EAST.  That is the view you are seeing here.  I thought it was spectacular!

I wasn't sure the actual intensity of the colors would be believable, so I modified them a little, so imagine the tree trunks even more vibrant than they are here!  Mother Nature has an amazing color palette!

"860 Looking East: 6:37 p.m. at Fred & Fuzzy's"

acrylic - 16x20 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/860-looking-east-637-pm-at-fred-and-fuzzys/584104

817 Connemara, Ireland

As I mentioned in my previous post, my niece recently visited Ireland, and this is one of her favorite scenes.  The reference photo was taken in Connemara, Ireland, and we both love the mossy rocks and trees.  I am happy that she likes this painting, so it will be framed and gifted to her.

"817 Connemara, Ireland"
acrylic - 16x12 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/817-connemara-ireland/507277

dianecampion.blogspot.com

801 View From Cottage Row

I am taking a class from a favorite artist, Milwaukee's own Shelby Keefe, who is a very thoughtful and delightful instructor.  Her technique is so different from what I know that I had a very slow start after her demo (which I loved).  The original photo reference had a beautiful sailboat, which wasn't so beautiful after I painted it, so I eliminated it.  I'm sure I will want to make some adjustments after fresh eyes have examined it.

We'll see what tomorrow brings.
"801 View From Cottage Row"
acrylic - 11x14 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/801-view-from-cottage-row/482274

dianecampion.blogspot.com

772 Winter's Web

If every day of winter had sunshine and beautiful shadows, perhaps I would like it more.  Our winter here in Milwaukee has been fairly mild this year, but there have been many grey days.  I love the way the shadows of the trees stretch on the snow and the colors of the shadows.

772 Winter's Web"
oil - 12x24 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/772-winters-web/443994

dianecampion.blogspot.com

749 Three in a Row

I love these three trees along Lake Drive overlooking Lake Michigan. 

"749 Three in a Row"
watercolor - 4x11 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/749-three-in-a-row/435009

dianecampion.blogspot.com

712 Alone With My Memories

"712 Alone With My Memories"
acrylic - 16x20 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/712-alone-with-my-memories/421392

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

586 Back Roads Plymouth, Massachusetts

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/586-back-roads-plymouth-massachusetts/367071

499 Hideaway

Since it is such a cold, ugly grey day here in Milwaukee, I thought I would take myself back to the warmth of summer.  August 20 was the day of my first official organized plein air experience.  It was hot and I was comfortable on a very small foot bridge overlooking a lovely scene.  I saw my first woodchuck swimming in this shallow stream, and it was all so peaceful and beautiful.  But at some point I got that uh-oh feeling.  What to do with all this GREEN?  In the nick of time, my friend and I turned in our two pieces, called it a day, and chalked it all up to experience.  I felt like I wanted to tackle the painting again today.  It's better than it was on August 20, but not something I want to tackle again.

496 Shapely

I am clinging to all the color I can get before the grey days are here for good.  The leaves will soon  be gone from the trees. 

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/496-shapely/289199

495 Autumn Cluster

I was away on vacation without paints for a week.  I felt a little rusty today, but am eager to get back to the routine.  The reference photo for this paintings was taken a little more than a week ago.  Many more leaves have fallen since then.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/495-autumn-cluster/289025

494 Path to Palisades

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/494-path-to-palisades/286994

490 Big Bay Landscape

One of my favorite places to get away is Big Bay Park which overlooks Lake Michigan in my community.  At this time of year, the maples are so vibrant along the way leading to the path that takes you to the lake.  This Fall I've stopped my car many times to take pictures of the trees in all their glory and brilliance,  and couldn't resist the impulse to paint them.  I squirted out the Indian Yellow and Nickel Azo Yellow for this one. 

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/490-big-bay-landscape/276130

283. Straight On

Another Door County scene from Peninsula State Park on a sunny January day.

282. Dancing Shadows

Winter shadows at Peninsula State Park, Door County, Wisconsin. 

281. Shadows in the Forest

This is a scene from Door County, a beautiful place all year round.  We visited there last January, and this is the view of the woods at the Peninsula State Park we saw out our door. 

250. In a Row 3