784 All Dolled Up

This is a drawing of my late mother-in-law.  I always hated the bad rap that mothers-in-law get, because she was a very loving second mother to me and a really great Nana.  Everyone adored her.  The photo reference for this drawing was taken on the evening she and my husband and another Mom/son couple went to see Frank Sinatra in concert in Milwaukee.  I know it was a perfect evening for all four.

"784 All Dolled Up"
graphite - 8x10 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/784-all-dolled-up/451249

dianecampion.blogspot.com

783 Sunshine on a Cloudy Day

On these dreary days of winter, I long for sunshine and flowers.  I find myself checking my garden for signs of life. 

"783 Sunshine on a Cloudy Day"
oil - 14x11 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/783-sunshine-on-a-cloudy-day/451000

dianecampion.blogspot.com

Junk Drawer

I started this painting long ago, and put it aside for too long.  I have always wrestled with two opposite desires, one to paint (fairly) realistically and the other to paint loose and bold, almost abstractly.  I think my artistic destiny is somewhere in between, but once in awhile it feels good to work either polar opposite.  What's in YOUR junk drawer?  (commissions welcome)

"Junk Drawer"
acrylic - 18x24 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/junk-drawer/450654

dianecampion.blogspot.com

782 Pink Cheeks

Here is the second painting, same pose, of Beautiful Baby Paul.  I enjoyed painting him so much yesterday that I painted him a second time, attempting to be a little looser.  What a joy.

"782 Pink Cheeks"
acrylic - 6x6 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/782-pink-cheeks/450145

dianecampion.blogspot.com

781 Beautiful Baby Paul

A friend of mine posted a photo on Facebook of her grandchild, who had just awoken from sleep.  She was gracious enough to share the photo with me and I couldn't wait to paint it.  It practically painted itself after a good drawing.  I enjoyed painting him so much that I painted him a second time, which I will post tomorrow.  

"781 Beautiful Baby Paul"
acrylic - 8x10 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/781-beautiful-baby-paul/449861

dianecampion.blogspot.com

780 Allison

I was on vacation for a week to visit family and to celebrate my birthday.  I took a break from painting which physically felt good.  While away, I focused on drawing, concentrating on portraits of family members.  It's really good to get away, but there's no place like home.

"780 Allison"
graphite - 6x8 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/780-allison/449658

779. Tareq

This is my first portrait painted with oil paints.  It took two sittings--a week apart--with "fresh eyes"  always the most helpful tool.

"779. Tareq"
oil on canvas - 9x12 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/779-tareq/449451

dianecampion.blogspot.com

778 Tareq

This painting was such a challenge because I had a tiny photo to use as a reference, and printing it larger didn't help much.  This young boy is such a gentle soul and so charming that I'm sure I haven't done him justice with this painting, but I will try again with another photo. 

"778 Tareq"
acrylic - 8x8 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/778-tareq/447351

dianecampion.blogspot.com

777 Place of Honor

I apologize for the terrible photo.  I can't get the colors right on this.  The "table" is more of a soft yellow/ochre color.  I found this little iron chair at IKEA several years ago, and it was crying out for something to sit upon it.  I think it elevates the importance of the orange.  Silly, I know, but that's how artists think, I think.

"777 Place of Honor"
acrylic - 10x8 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/777-place-of-honor/446499

776 Thinking Spring

"776 Thinking Spring"
oil on canvas - 12x9 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/776-thinking-spring/446062

dianecampion.blogspot.com

775 Three Graces

For this painting, I was blessed with a beautiful reference photo taken by my friends, Ann and Steve on their trip to Tanzania a few years ago.  I am enthralled with the beautiful acacia trees.  I am happy with the complimentary color palette and am getting a little more familiar with the oil paints.

"775 Three Graces"
oil - 18x24 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/775-three-graces/445529

dianecampion.blogspot.com

774 Spring in a Bowl

This is a repeat painting.  The original was painted with acrylic and I wanted to try painting it with oil, much harder for me.  It took several days and I'm still not happy with it.  I seem to have more difficulty with flowers, landscape being a little easier.   One aspect of oil painting that was really fun was being able to sign my name with the handle of the brush, scraping it into the paint.  No matter, I am eager for Spring.

"774 Spring in a Bowl"
oil -

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/774-spring-in-a-bowl/445278

dianecampion.blogspot.com

773 Best Friends

Who do you think won?

"773 Best Friends"
acrylic - 8x8 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/773-best-friends/444965

dianecampion.blogspot.com

772 Winter's Web

If every day of winter had sunshine and beautiful shadows, perhaps I would like it more.  Our winter here in Milwaukee has been fairly mild this year, but there have been many grey days.  I love the way the shadows of the trees stretch on the snow and the colors of the shadows.

772 Winter's Web"
oil - 12x24 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/772-winters-web/443994

dianecampion.blogspot.com

771 Twisted

This is another scene from Tanzania of an acacia tree, photo taken by my friends, Ann and Steve.  I am very drawn to these beautiful trees in photos and paintings, but am not sure I have ever seen one in person, although I learned through research that some varieties grow in the United States in South Carolina, Arizona and Hawaii. I particularly like the Umbrella Acacia shown in this painting because of its graceful trunk and the shape of its foliage, sometimes called the thorn tree acacia.

As I was reading about the Acacia, I learned that gum arabic is derived from this tree, and I have used it as an adhesive and an additive to ink for calligraphy purposes.  It is also a common ingredient in some beverages (Fresca, RC Cola, Root Beer) and in Altoid mints,  gum and M&M pretzels, as well as in perfume.  The wood is used for hardwood floors and furniture.

As you can probably see, I enjoy learning from painting different subjects.   I learn something new from each new painting, in this case, not only about the Acacia tree, but another lesson in painting with oil paints. 

"771 Twisted"
oil - 18x24 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/771-twisted/443745

dianecampion.blogspot.com

770 A Bird's Eye View

The beautiful photo reference for this painting was taken in Tanzania by my world traveler friends, who have been to so many exciting places, often biking their way through the countrysides.  I live vicariously through them as I am somewhat impaired when it comes to travel, although I have been to Lebanon three times, which most people find daunting.  It is hard for me to imagine being so close to a zebra and other wild animals.  They have graciously shared their photos with me and have given me permission to paint them.  Thank you Ann and Steve.

I've been feeling a little restless with the start of the new year.  I have been tirelessly working on portraits with determination to master them, but I really needed a little break because I've also pretty much run out of interesting photo references after scouring thousands of photos in my iPhoto folders.  The conversations go like this:  "Would you please send me photos of people in interesting poses with high contrast and no teeth showing? "  .......somewhat limiting.

In the months ahead, I have scheduled two weekend workshops from two of my favorite artists, both of whom teach and paint in oil.  Although I love the many benefits of acrylics, I would like to experiment with oil paints.  I have dabbled in the past, painting seascapes, but nothing like this subject matter.  For this painting, I used water soluble oil paints, which behave like oil paints (I think) but there are no smelly chemicals involved, and best of all, they clean up with soap and water.   I really enjoyed the experience and plan to continue pursuing this medium.

"770 A Bird's Eye View"
oil - 16x20 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/770-a-birds-eye-view/443121

dianecampion.blogspot.com

769 When I Grow Up...

"769  When I Grow Up..."
acrylic - 8x8 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/769--when-i-grow-up/442355

dianecampion.blogspot.com

768 Nick the Horse

"768 Nick the Horse"
acrylic - 8x10 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/768-nick-the-horse/442093

dianecampion.blogspot.com

767 Confidence Comes With the Hat

Dress up boxes are great gifts for kids.  They have so much fun being whoever they want to be with no expectations.  I guess I shouldn't generalize--adults can ham it up when given the chance to let their guard down. 

"767 Confidence Comes With the Hat"
acrylic - 5x5 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/767-confidence-comes-with-the-hat/441605

dianecampion.blogspot.com

766 More, Please

This little guy has a big fan base.  He is a good natured baby with a loving family, including a sweet big brother who adores him.  In the reference photo, the child has dinner all over his face, but I wasn't up for painting that!  Even though he is too young to talk (don't be fooled by all that hair!), I imagined him saying "More, please."

"To all children, in all places, may you live in peace and with fullness of heart." (and tummy)
author unknown

"766 More, Please"
acrylic - 9x7 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/766-more-please/440972
dianecampion.blogspot.com