1008 Ferris Wheel

 Hello.  As you may know, I've been working on abstraction and there is so much to learn.  There are many abstract formations and in this painting I was working on the circular format.  I see this one alot on Pinterest, so I guess it must be popular.  It isn't as easy to paint as it may look, but I stuck with it because I love the colors, which remind me of sherbet.    This is a 12" square, but I would love a reason to paint this much larger.  

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1008-ferris-wheel/852474

1007 The Kiss of the Sun

 

Happy Holidays to all of you.  During this year's shelter, I managed to get all my shopping and wrapping done early, a first for me.  I had plenty of time to paint and try new things, one example is studying abstracts.  I've collected a huge file on Pinterest.  I wonder if I will ever get confident in this new genre.  

This is the first time I have painted on heavy weight art paper, and I am surprised at how much I enjoyed it.  The surface is much smoother than canvas and it doesn't take up much space.  The painting can be varnished and mounted on a cradled board, or framed in a standard 14 x 11" frame.  A friend just sent me pictures of artwork framed in IKEA frames, which was surprisingly beautiful.

The weather here in Chicago has been very cold---no snow, but cold.  A friend in California sent me some nasturtium, sunflower, and hollyhock seeds and that got me dreaming of being back in the gardens.  I never tire of painting flowers.  

I wish you all a very healthy and happy new year.  All it takes is just one slip up, and boom, you're exposed to covid.  May 2021 be filled with optimism and and peace.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1007-the-kiss-of-the-sun/852204

1006. Without a Care in the World

 

Our days are grey, yet mild here in Chicago,  but we are entering the abyss of winter.  I love warm weather and even all the promise of spring and summer when we start to see life emerge in our gardens.  I am happy that I was able to paint this bright happy picture---so full of optimism for the future.  The title explains so many parts of my life---the time when I am painting and certainly, the time when I am gardening, when I am with my family.  

If you follow my journey, you know that I am most comfortable painting what I see.  I don't see any flowers in my garden right now, so this was a long stretch for me.  In today's art world, mark-making seems to be of immense focus, and I have trouble with that, wanting more to express myself with my paint and brush rather than scribbles.  I guess I'll catch on with practice.  

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1006--without-a-care-in-the-world/850850

1005 A Little Tipsy

 

I'm sure you can imagine the amount of time it took to get these cups to stay balanced like this, even for a few minutes while I gingerly moved to photograph.  I tried photographing about 50 different configurations with very little luck and lots of crashes.  I'm not kidding when I say it took me three days of effort to get something I could work with.   I am eager to be able to get out to scrounge for unusual cups to paint.  

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1005-a-little-tipsy/850428

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 

1003. Did Someone Say "Squirrel?"

 Introducing Tia, a beautiful rescue dog.  She was found wandering the streets of Chicago, and now has a very cushy and loving home.

Have you noticed that many, many dogs have been adopted during Covid?  I think it's a wonderful thing that so many abandoned dogs now have loving homes, and that homebound people now have company,  someone to love, hug and spoil.  The shelters have wait lists, and suddenly it is a very competitive market, which is all good.  It's sometimes seems hard to believe that there have been many positives during Covid, but being a "glass half full" person, I really believe this is one of them.  I see so many young people carrying their pups through the streets of Chicago because they are just too tired to take another step.  I can't help but smile underneath my mask.  It warms my heart

I never seem to tire of painting pooches, and Tia made me a very happy painter.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1003--did-someone-say-squirrel/849811