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

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.

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

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

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

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.

1126. 14 Karat View

 By NO stretch of anyone's imagination am I a technical illustrator.  I know my limitations.  My husband and I were driving home at precisely "the golden hour" that all artists live for, and as many artists do, I look east, when everyone else is looking at the beautiful sun in the west.  (Sunsets are lovely, but the effect on objects in the east is fascinating.)  So!  This was a challenge, but I had to attempt it.  I'm pretty happy with it.  

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1126-14-karat-view/971481

1092 Two Generations

 The pink zinnias took off like crazy this year, but the orange zinnias were few and far between.   This is one of the few I could bring in to enjoy.  There are a few buds left and I will hope they will bloom before the frost.

Day 29 of the Strada Easel September 2021 challenge

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1092-two-generations/933475

1088 Oh Happy Day

 It's a beautiful, happy day.  Nothing says "happy" like polka dots.  I love them.  In fact, later today we are attending a wedding and guess what I am wearing. A black and white polka dot dress! 

I was curious to know more about polka dots.  This is part of what I learned, compliments of Wikipedia.

"Polka-dots: If you can't let go of polka-dots dress or shirt, your personality is probably just as lively and energetic as the playful print. Those who prefer polka dots have also been identified as hardworking and multi-taskers. ... You can use polka dots even in neutral colors, like black, white, and grey."

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1088-oh-happy-day/932056

Day 25 of #stradaeasel challenge

1087 Defying Odds

 There is an unwritten "rule" that groupings of objects should always be in odd numbers, but I am defying that because there might be one flower hiding.  I'm sure you can see it behind those leaves.

Also, Daily Paintworks regularly posts challenges, and a recent challenge was for Even Number Challenge.  I submitted this painting.

Day 24 of the Strada Easel challenge.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1087-defying-odds/931910

1086 Solo Performance

 Each day as I approach the top stair to the roof, I witness a flock of birds at the Campion Rooftop Spa, bathing in the puddles of the sprinklers, and feasting on sunflower seeds.  They fly away quickly, but not before I whisper hello and thanks for visiting.  I'm truly grateful that I do not have to share my space with rabbits or deer who may not be so courteous.

Renee Schwaller is the artist who made the little vase.  She is also the owner of Off the Wheel Pottery in Door County.  

Day 23 of the Strada Easel challenge.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1086-solo-performance/931537

1084 Misty Morning

 

The days are getting shorter and the rooftop garden is struggling to stay alive and productive.  Soon there will be a lot of hard work to break it down, and at least one elevated bed will need taking apart before winter.  The cooler nights and fading plant life are a strong indicators that you-know-what is coming and I for one hate to see summer ending.  

I got an early start on my painting today.  It was grey and misty outside and I was struck by how vibrant the geraniums are on our patio.  Have you noticed that Nature's color palette in general is more brilliant in the fall?  

Day 21 of the Strada Easel September challenge

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1084-misty-morning/930813