567 Winter in Plymouth, Massachusetts

I just returned from a visit with dear old friends on the East Coast, friends who are more like family than just "friends."  The Boston area has MUCH more snow than we do here in the Milwaukee area, in fact, the day I returned home to NO snow, Boston's all-time record for the snowiest winter had been broken with a 2+ inch snowfall. 

This is a scene from a beautiful Plymouth, Massachusetts back road pond.  There were swans swimming in this pond, and perhaps they will make it in a painting one day.  My BFF indulged me with MANY stops for photo shoots.  I have enough painting photo references to keep me busy for a very long time.

"567 Winter in Plymouth, Massachusetts"
acrylic - 5x7 in
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/567-winter-in-plymouth-massachusetts/351395

566. Dusk at Lake Fanny Hoe

This is another painting with photo reference generously provided by my friend, Krissy.  I am not very familiar with boats, but I am enjoying learning about them through painting.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/566-dusk-at-lake-fanny-hoe/351072

Cat in the Hat, huh?

I am in the Boston area to visit friends and to attend a baby shower for someone special.  I did not bring painting gear, so this was the creative project for the day, a diaper cake.  The theme of the shower is Dr. Seuss, but I'm sure you figured that out.  It was a fun thing to do with my friend.

565 Anticipation

Weather here in Milwaukee has been mild and Spring-like with temps in the 40s and 50s. Snow is melting and it is a mud bath for Oliver.  I love the sounds of the birds, and am so excited about the Great Horned Owls who are nesting in a willow tree in our semi-urban neighborhood.
Hoo-ooo-ca- CHOO.  Estimates are that babies were born last week and Mama is glued to the nest, so every day is a new adventure.  I am dreaming of Spring and Summer as are most folks here---"sick of winter."  On close inspection, I saw hostas starting to poke through ground that is not covered in snow.  

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/565-anticipation/349380

 

Jason Rohlf, Fortune Tellers

 I was very excited to see Jason Rohlf's exhibit, Fortune Tellers,  at the Judy A Saslow Gallery in Chicago.  I fell in love with his bird series a few years ago, and I appreciate the direction his style has since taken, the vibrancy of the colors and the intricacy of the patterns.  As a long-time quilter, I can't help but be drawn to the the geometry involved.   Even his "shop rags" are beautiful (third picture above).   I had hoped to meet Jason in person, but unfortunately weather in New York did not allow him to be present. 

While we were at the gallery, a large group of children, perhaps a school group (on a weekend?) and perhaps their parents were there too.  The kids were very inspired by Jason's work, and each seemed so proud to have their pictures taken in front of his paintings.  At one point, all the children were sitting on the floor with their heads down, eyes closed, and were told to imagine what THEIR gallery would look like and be called.  Paper and crayons were provided, and the children were given time to think for a few minutes, and then were instructed to draw.  Important messages were also delivered about the importance of doing well in school, etc.  The kids were an added bonus to our visit.

Congratulations to a Milwaukee artist who is a constant inspiration.

564 Misunderstanding

I

Yikes.  I just realized I painted this once before, but I thought I was painting a different view.  I guess you can paint the same thing several times and the paintings will never be exactly the same.
To me, the onions look like they are at odds, perhaps there was a misunderstanding. 

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/564-misunderstanding/348639

563 The Headlands, Mendocino

I took the photo reference for this painting in 2012.  It was such a beautiful place and despite the cold and fog, my fellow plein air painters loved the experience. 

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/563-the-headlands-mendocino/348054

562. Citrus in the Spotlight

I was not happy with 553 Citrus in the Limelight which was painted in daylight, so I repainted it and I like this much better.  So 553 no longer exists since I painted over it.

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!

560 Sprite

My second (really the third) painting of Lake Fanny Hoe, Copper Harbor, Michigan is (surprise) painted in oil paints, my first real oil painting.  It is too wet to move and photograph, so maybe tomorrow it will appear. 

In the meantime, I continue with the blue and white bowls with endless possibilities, and so far, I have not tired of painting them.

"560 Sprite"
acrylic - 6x8 in
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/560-sprite/337372

559 Lake Fanny Hoe, Copper Harbor, Michigan

A friend of mine posted this and other photos of her Upper Peninsula, Michigan vacation spot on her Facebook page.  She is a very skilled photographer and generously gave me permission to paint them.  Her compositions are "painting ready!"  This is the second attempt, the first being covered by this painting.  I will try again tomorrow!

Today was a monumental day, in my humble estimation.  For the first time, I was able to easily switch from a left brain function, quilting, to a right brain activity, painting, and then back again to quilting.  I have always struggled with that---it seems like it has to be one or the other, but not both in one day.

I have had a very complicated quilt consisting of a guestimated 1,000 2 inch squares laid out on my son's bedroom floor for months.  This weekend was the "do or die" weekend to get it off the floor and into my studio to start piecing.  It is a complicated pattern, "Trip Around the World" en pointe and nearly put me in the loony bin.  Sewing all the pieces together will be time consuming, but I am excited about working on it. 

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/559-lake-fanny-hoe-copper-harbor-michigan/337087

558. Combover

I had a difficult time naming this one, but I think it's perfect.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/558--combover/336863

557 Overcrowded

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/557-overcrowded/336622

556 Beauty Pageant

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/556-beauty-pageant/336375

555. Man Overboard

We love tomatoes at our house, and there seem to be many options.  This was a box of mini heirlooms from the grocery store and they are much tastier than the rock hard, mealy larger tomatoes.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/…/d…/555-man-overboard/336130

554, Encore, In the Limelight

I like this lighting much better than yesterday's and am much happier with this painting and the larger format.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/554-encore-in-the-limelight/335854

553 Citrus in the Limelight

I will be curious to see if I like this still life better with my usual dramatic lighting.  I do like the way the bowl is the star in this painting.

The grocery shopper in the family wonders where his produce disappears to.  (smile)

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/553-citrus-in-the-limelight/335610

552 At Attention

I put off painting asparagus but it seemed to be the only vegetable we had around that I hadn't painted.    It was a little challenging, but I would like to try again.  This is a new blue bowl, the smallest of them all.  My husband named this painting. 

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/552-at-attention/335114

JoAnna Poehlmann, Now and Then

Today, I took a day off from painting, but not from art.  A friend and I visited the RedLine Gallery, a most creative place, to see local artist JoAnna Poehlmann's exhibit, Now and Then.  JoAnna has been painting and drawing Mother Nature's beautiful birds, feathers, eggs and many other subjects for over 50 years.  The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel had a wonderful article about her in Sunday's newspaper.  The exhibit was all I expected and much more.  She is indeed an artist's artist.  Her work explores many different aspects--collage, exquisitely detailed and delicate drawings, and interesting bookmaking.  All of her works are titled with such a wonderful sense of humor.  Her collection of "roadkill" and other birds and wildlife is beautiful.  What I loved most was her correlation between artists/artworks of the past and her drawings--simply genius.

I took a class from JoAnna at the Milwaukee Art Museum many years ago where we drew feathers, eggs, and dead birds that had been collected and stored in her freezer.  My drawing of feathers and eggs is one of my favorite pieces, the drawing of the dead cardinal---eh. 

Once, a few years ago, we had a beautiful bird, can't remember what it was,  fly into our window and lay dead on our patio, at least I think he/she was dead.  I knew immediately we had to take the bird to JoAnna and we did so in a shoebox cushioned respectfully for the dearly departed specimen. 

I encourage you to look at JoAnna's work however you can find it.  I know you will not be disappointed.  She is indeed a modern day master.

551 Outnumbered

Today I spent the better part of the day experimenting with a new set of water soluble oil paints.  I loved the juiciness of the paint, but I had no idea what to do with it.  I have read other artists write that they "wiped off" and began again and now know what they mean, having done that FOUR times.  I still have three very pathetic attempts waiting to dry so I can try to learn from them and move on.

I love acrylics because they dry quickly and I can accomplish many layers.  With the oil paints, the "many layers" turned into a dirty mess. 

I will try again, but perhaps I should keep my day job.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/551-outnumbered/334432