8x10: Window For Mom: Painted Jan. 22, 2010

8x10: Window For Mom
Originally uploaded by diannna-art
Acrylic paint on 8x10 stretched canvas.
(From package of Titanium
acrylic gesso primed canvases)

I was in Edmonton, AB, Canada.. which seemed like galaxies away from NY when I got the call that my mother had a heart attack. It was very late at night, but in the morning I was able to call my mother. I wrote down things she said, like there was 'mint green' and 'lilac purple' in her room, but no window. I really felt that the lack of window upset her.

I wanted to rush home immediately, but was advised to wait. I was expected back to NY in a week, after all. But there came a time when I could no longer ignore the calling inside to go home. No one held me back. In fact, everyone around me took care of everything as I was not at my best.

When told I had a few hours before leaving for the plane, I packed my bags. Things I thought I had a week to tend to, swept together at such speed it is rather amazing that I did not forget most of everything in Canada. And when I could not sleep. When I took a break from packing.. I painted.

The painting is of green walls, a purple window frame and the happiest sky I could think of. I imagined the clouds lazily moving by so slowly.. the tree reaching upward and just out of view were birds. The sky the calmest blue I could mix together. Shading, blending and avoiding the use of black paint as I never have before.

It was the most difficult painting I ever created. I was so intent on making something cheerful, while thinking she might not ever get a chance to see if..

But, she did see it.

It stayed in her room when I could not. It matched the colors she described. And, they both left the hospital behind. They are both home. Some time has passed.. and it was about time I sat down and finally mentioned the most overwhelming piece I have created to-date. I find myself rather proud of the accomplishment.

Sketch: Window For Mom (Jan. 22, 2010)

Sketch: Window For Mom
Originally uploaded by diannna-art
Sketched with random pen on random paper.

When my mother was in the hospital and I had a few hours to pack before leaving to get on a plane.. There was a randomly available slip of paper that I quickly drew the skeleton of what I wanted to paint.

The colors "Mint Green" and "Lilac Purple" were very important. My mother had mentioned them in her hospital room. She thought that they were pretty.

This sketch is now tucked into the back of the completed painting.

ACEO: Purple Skies; Fireflies. Painted March 24, 2010

ACEO: Purple Skies; Fireflies
Originally uploaded by diannna-art
Acrylic paint on 2 1/2 x 3 1/2,
110# Canson Acid Free acrylic paper.

It is a purple sky.. and those are lightening bugs. But I had to go with the title 'Purple Skies; Fireflies' because rhyming makes me smile.

I was frustrated with my Blur Island piece, so I tried another card painting. This is some purple, water (to literally water down the coloring) and white for the 'sky' then, just a fan brush to make the ground in black. Finally, some primary yellow to dot the ground and near the horizon. I can almost imagine my Younger Self just outside the 'frame' waiting to rush forward to capture a firefly and then complain that it tickled too much as it walked along my hands..

ACEO: Blur Island. Painted March 24, 2010

ACEO: Blur Island
Originally uploaded by diannna-art
Acrylic paint on 2 1/2 x 3 1/2,
110# Canson Acid Free acrylic paper.

An experiment.. with speed and color. I tried to paint a smaller piece, fast. I decided to paint the background (layered blue, white and yellow) and then try to video record myself painting the 'island' 'island reflection' and 'nearby tree.' It came out much, much messier than I ever intended. Really.. I cannot speed-paint. I have to learn how to edit video if I want to video myself painting, but keep the video itself rather short. I think if I try this again, but take my time.. then the trees/island and reflection will come out much better.

ACEO: BW Abstract Tree/Buildings: Painted Feb. 20, 2010

ACEO: BW Abstract Tree/Buildings
Originally uploaded by diannna-art
Acrylic paint on 2 1/2 x 3 1/2,
110# Canson Acid Free acrylic paper.

When visiting Oslo, Norway.. I was not certain if my black and white paint would survive the flight. I had no idea what air pressure would do the tubes. I had the paint in a plastic bag, just in case.

The days went by so quickly, and I knew I wanted to try to paint something in Oslo, but I experienced a painting version of writers block. It was only after visiting a museum displaying Edvard Munch's work, that I decided to not stress about subject, but play with brushstrokes. When looking at some of his paintings, I leaned in really close and loved how the paint seemed to flow. I sometimes noticed this much more than the full subject of the pieces I was observing.

With about six to eight hours before I would have to leave the hotel to return to the US, I decided to look out the window and create what I saw while only experimenting in the type of brushstrokes I liked best in Edvard Munch's work.

This is a tree with some buildings behind it.. however the focus is the way the paint moves like it is not dry yet. A purely elemental capture of wind and liquid-like movement. I do not know if I will attempt this sort of experiment again, but it was definitely interesting.

ACEO: BW Snow-touched Tree: Painted Feb. 5, 2010

ACEO: BW Snow-touched Tree
Originally uploaded by diannna-art
Acrylic paint on 2 1/2 x 3 1/2,
110# Canson Acid Free acrylic paper.

I was in Washington, DC during a blizzard weekend. Thankfully 90% of everything and everyone I wanted to see was within the hotel I was staying in. Watching the snowfall outside the window and watching as it clung to tree branches was enchanting.

When away from my homes, I only travel with black and white paint and six brushes. The theory is.. if it gets lost in transit, I am not losing my entire collection of paints and brushes. The result is.. all the paintings done while traveling are only in black and white.

Inspired by the enchantment of the snowfall.. my usual silhouette style was touched by snow. I could not capture the wonder of what I saw outside the window (I adore snow) but I do believe I had enough fun to try this style in color sometime.

Bunny Silhouette: Painted on March 19, 2010

Bunny SIlhouette
Originally uploaded by diannna-art
Acrylic paint on 8x10 stretched canvas.
(From package of Titanium
acrylic gesso primed canvases)

I have Easter on the brain and on top of that.. when I asked, "What should I paint?" And "A bunny" was the reply.. well.. I had to try.

This image was photographed while the paint was still wet, which I think looks much worse than laying it on a scanner.. but I do not have my own scanner in NY.

This is my first painting done in NY since my return to NY. I believe it was the quickest I had ever painted, as well. I was videoing it and was very aware of the camera. I rushed, trying to avoid having a long, boring video. I think the rushing really reduced the quality of the painting. However, it is fun to try to paint a bunny.