217 Echeveria Adorn

Needed a break from painting clouds and marshes.

217 Cumulus

No matter what adjustments I make, I can't get the colors to appear the way they do in the painting--lots of pretty blues and green-greys, and the white is much whiter.  Hopefully it won't look garish on your computer monitor.  I am continuing to work on clouds in preparation for a large painting.  They are so difficult for me, and I am hoping the larger format will be easier than the small.  Fingers crossed. 

216 Come Sit For Awhile

This is a scene from Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, New Mexico outside of Georgia O'Keefe's little house. 

215 Silence at Dusk

214 Ominous

Studying clouds.

213 For the Birds

Crab apples trees in my neighborhood brighten up a dreary Autumn walk.

212 Low Level

Clouds are much more complicated than one might think.  There are many websites devoted to the science of clouds.  They have always been a challenge to paint, but I am determined to learn more about them.

211 Dock at Bluffton

210 Across the Marsh

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209 View From the drawing Room

dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/209-view-from-the-drawing-room/179825

207 The Marsh Stands Alone

206 Fishing Shack

Same fishing shack as in yesterday's painting, different view.  Pretty inviting, eh?

205 Stay Away

While we were in Old Town Bluffton, we were drawn to this cute little fishing shack, built on an inclining bridge.  These folks made it very clear that they did not want visitors with their signs and numerous barriers.  Much as I tried, I could not get a head on photo of it. 

204 Come Sit For Awhile

One day during my recent trip to South Carolina, we visited Old Town Bluffton,  a charming little coastal town, where we watched the fishermen washing and "shoveling" the oysters, and snapping the heads off and sorting the day's catch of shrimp.  The town has several nice galleries and it was beneficial to see how local artists painted the marshes.  We visited the farmer's market and had an opportunity to paint on the grounds of the beautiful Church of the Cross overlooking the May River.  I painted a water scene including a dock (which was a real challenge) and the lovely delicate lavender/pink plume like flowers/grass. 

This particular Live Oak was a lesser known attraction, but the shape of it begged me to photograph it.  I loved the shadows and the Spanish moss, which I hope to someday figure out how to paint more effectively.

203 Still

I love the tranquility of the marshes we visited in South Carolina.  In our group of 14 artists, there were at least a few self-proclaimed "marsh haters."  The more I paint them, the more I understand and love them. 

202 Stand Alone

The minute I saw this tree, I knew I had to paint it.  It was difficult to isolate it as it was a part of a clump of other less interesting trees that lined the beach of our rented home on Hilton Head.  I love the shape of it and I know I will have to paint it again.

201 Open Arms

Although I loved the ocean and the marshes, I was most fascinated by the Southern Live Oak trees while in South Carolina on my painting trip.  I love the twists and turns of the branches, and the tree's invitation to sit and picnic or rest.  The Spanish moss hanging from the branches gives a somewhat eerie feeling.  Although there are no leaves on my tree, this tree has leaves year round, as those that fall off are replenished.  I am sure this will not be the last of my Live Oak tree paintings.

200 Gratitude

Today's painting is my 200th posting for the Daily Paintworks.  I had hoped to make them 200 consecutive days, but I took a week off from posting ( but not painting) while I was on my painting trip.  I chose to paint and post this painting "Gratitude" today because I am so grateful to have the opportunity to do what I love each and every day.  I am grateful for all the loving support and encouragement I have received from friends, family, fellow artists and the DPW gurus, and very thankful to those who have liked my work enough to purchase it for their homes or gifts.  I am donating this painting to Ozaukee Family Services, a favorite charity of my art lady friends, as part of their art basket for their silent auction.  This flower is a Campanula, or Bellflower, and in the language of flowers, its meaning is gratitude. 

199 Path to the Sea

On Hilton Head Island, our group of artists rented a beautiful home on the ocean.  This is a painting of the sandy path leading from the home to the Atlantic Ocean.  The beach was pristine and we found many "treasures" to sketch.  It is a very peaceful place.

198 Marsh Grass

I just returned from a wonderful week-long plein air painting trip to Hilton Head, South Carolina.  We immersed ourselves (somewhat literally---my first kayaking experience) in an attempt to learn about the marshes' plants and sea life.  I found it to be fascinating.  The wildlife, the terrain, and the landscape are all so very different from anything we have here in the Midwest.  Painting the marshes was a challenge because they change so frequently with the tide and the light.  It took some getting used to.  I will continue to practice now that I am home.