626 Lake Sinisippi
My friend Dawn posts the most beautiful pictures of sky/seascapes of Lake Sinisippi on Facebook and gave me permission to paint them. Each one is more beautiful than the previous. Dawn is also an artist, and she should be painting these beautiful scenes herself (ahem!).
Here's what I've learned: The more beautiful and colorful the scene is, the more difficult it is to paint, at least for ME! I would much rather paint a grey day seascape than a total blue sky/blue water sort of painting. As an example, my neighbor friend sent me such a beautiful untouched picture of an exquisite sea/skyscape, complete with subtle pinks, purples, corals and blue. I felt I had to paint it and yet, I've struggled for 3 days and who knows how many pounds of paint to get it right, which isn't happening. I photographed it and was ready to post, but that inner voice said "May as well have painted a clown. Don't do it." Lake Sinisippi trumps Pine Lake today.
615 On the Road
I first fell in love with the beauty of clouds and skies in New Mexico several years ago, which is where this reference photo was taken. The skyscapes are amazingly beautiful, perhaps enhanced by the open roads and the colorful landscape. I didn't paint them then, but took many pictures for my collection, and have studied them intensely since. They are more difficult to paint than I had thought. This is another attempt at oils, and it took 3 days to get it where I am marginally happy.
"615 On the Road"
oil - 6x6 in
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/615-on-the-road/385674
"615 On the Road"
oil - 6x6 in
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/615-on-the-road/385674
582 Lake Michigan at Beach Drive
When we first moved to the Milwaukee area, people talked about the "witch" on Beach Drive, which is located on a dead end drive on Lake Michigan. The "witch of Fox Point," Mary Nohl created wonderful works of art, animals, people, dinosaurs, etc. out of cement. She would haul buckets of water from the Lake, and people assumed she was strange, weird, witch-like. Now that she has passed, there has been a movement to make her home a museum, but the neighborhood is resentful and doesn't want the traffic that goes with a museum on a dead end road near the lake. She has finally gained her notoriety and the respect she deserved as an artist. I took a ride there the other day, where you drive so very close to the lake. It was a beautiful day and brought back many memories of driving with my frightened children, who bought into the whole witch idea as children.
580 Atlantic Ocean at Plymouth
My enthusiasm for learning to paint sky/seascapes was rejuvenated after re-watching Roos Schuring's videos from Holland, and after a very nice e-conversation with admired artist, Donna Shiver, who gave me good advice for painting this subject. I figured I should capitalize on the moment and give the oil paints another try.
I am relatively happy with this painting attempt, except for the glare, and am baffled as to how to photograph a wet painting.
I am relatively happy with this painting attempt, except for the glare, and am baffled as to how to photograph a wet painting.
577 Plymouth Beach, MA
I am enjoying this learning process of repeatedly painting skies and sea with a very limited palette; especially challenging are the grey tones. With warm weather flirting with us, I am hoping to paint at the Lake in the near future.
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/577-plymouth-beach-ma/364417
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/577-plymouth-beach-ma/364417
576 Back Road, Plymouth, MA
561 Lake Fanny Hoe2
This is the oil painting I mentioned yesterday. I am using water soluble oil paints so that I don't have to mess with the chemicals. I am untrained with this medium so I have a very steep learning curve ahead of me. I am proud of the patience I had with this painting. I didn't rush and I enjoyed every stroke and learning how the paint works. I have much to learn, including how to photograph a wet painting to avoid the glare. I am out of my comfort zone, but eager to learn. Suggestions are always welcome.
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/561-lake-fanny-hoe2/337531
p.s. Just realized I forgot to sign this!
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/561-lake-fanny-hoe2/337531
p.s. Just realized I forgot to sign this!
509 Snow on the Rooftob, better
509 Snow on the Rooftop
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
215 Silence at Dusk
202 Stand Alone
151 Evening on Wisconsin River
150 Sunset Over Village
148 On the Road Again
147 Big Top Under Blue
For many years, families camped out days in advance in downtown Milwaukee to reserve seats for the Great Circus Parade. Antique circus wagons, animals, a ferris wheel, merry-go-round, and clowns--Ernest Borgnine being the most notable, all traveled from Circus World in Baraboo, Wisconsin to entertain children and adults at our lakefront's Veteran's Park for days leading up to the parade. On a beautiful July day, I visited the park, and felt 12 years old again.
Unfortunately, funding for the Great Circus Parade has dwindled, so what was an every-year occurrence, is much less frequent.
Unfortunately, funding for the Great Circus Parade has dwindled, so what was an every-year occurrence, is much less frequent.