Sunsets are beautiful to watch, but I think very difficult to paint.  You just can't improve on something so beautiful.  Our family recently spent several days on Captiva, Florida, where the sunsets are magnificent.  People line the beaches just to see each evening's performance.  It is reported that some see a bright green speck just before the sun sets, but unfortunately we did not see it.


http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/501-captiva-sunset/290524

This Artist's Tools

This is my 500th Daily Painting.  I am so proud and happy.  I obsessed over this painting for days, even more than for my first painting.  So many possibilities for subjects were considered, each evoking a surprising emotion .  I wanted to reflect gratitude for the past as well as demonstrate hope and promise for the future.  This has been such a rewarding experience--I can't even begin to tell you how much I have learned from this experience.  Along the way I have met so many nice people, strangers who take the time to complement each other's work because they know how important it is to an artist.  I have been asked many times, "Will you stop at 500?'  Heck, no.
Thank you to all of you for your kindness and encouragement.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/this-artists-tools/290158

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.

498 Around the Bend

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/498-around-the-bend/289665

497 Drawn to the Light

There is a property not far from my house that I cannot pass on foot without stopping to admire this cluster of trees and the beautiful lighting and shadows.  It seems to be breathtaking any time of the day.  I never even noticed the house until I looked at the photo.  It is tucked away, so the trees are the stars, in my opinion.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/497-drawn-to-the-light/289374

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