ACEO: Tree Silhouette: Painted January 3, 2010

ACEO: Tree Silhouette
Originally uploaded by diannna-art
Acrylic paint on 2 1/2" x 3 1/2",
110# Georgia Pacific smooth cardstock

When I first started to mark the names and dates of things I painted.. I was not as organized as I am now or as organized as I hope to become. In January 2010, I learned about ACEO's and this is the first one I ever created.

I painted this piece to experiment with smaller, more intricate brushstrokes than what was needed on 16x20 or 8x10 canvases. It was a fun and soothing experience as I imagined the peaceful hour of twilight.

Just to see what would happen.. I asked my husband to put it on eBay. We posted it for very cheap and at the end of the auction, there were a couple of bids and it sold for just over one dollar.

Now I use the image for my web banners and avatars.. but I realized I never actually posted it on my Art Diary. So, I decided to correct that.

ACEO: Tree In Bloom: Painted August 28, 2010

ACEO: Tree In Bloom
Originally uploaded by diannna-art
Acrylic paint on 2 1/2" x 3 1/2",
246# Strathmore Acid Free acrylic paper.

I just wanted to try a cheerful image. I love trees, so I went with that. First, I painted the tree bare, and then I added layers of green. Two shades of magenta (thanks to mixing in white) and then another layer of green to add depth to the leafy section of the tree.

What sort of blossoms are on the tree? Other than 'pretty pink' I do not know. But, I did end up finally having a non-silhouette happy painting. A tree in bloom on a sunny day. Looks like the fun place for picnic or to sit and read a book.

ACEO: The Waterwell And Sky: Completed August 27, 2010

ACEO: The Waterwell And Sky
Originally uploaded by diannna-art
Acrylic paint on 2 1/2" x 3 1/2"
110# Canson Acid Free acrylic paper.

On August 24th, I played with a lot of Primary Blue. I left the blending of blue and Titanium White on this card, and knew I would add more to it later.

August 27th, I added a waterwell. Every once in a while I see a well in front yards, just for decoration. I always thought they looked pretty, but this is my first time attempting to paint one. The sky is dark, and the silhouette of the waterwell nearly blends into the that sky.. giving the painting a feeling of early evening.

ACEO: If The Ocean...: Painted August 24, 2010

ACEO: If The Ocean...
Originally uploaded by diannna-art
Acrylic paint on 2 1/2" x 3 1/2"
110# Canson Acid Free acrylic paper.

While mixing Primary Blue into some Titanium White, I felt myself drawn into how they blended. So, I grabbed a blank art card and began painting. At first I thought it might be the background for a silhouette, but after a few moments, I tried to create the ocean.

When I was nearly completed, I began thinking things like, "What if the ocean was strands of blue hair?" and "What if the ocean wanted to dance?" And as I tried to think of answers to these silly questions, I realized the painting already had. If the ocean.. had blue hair or wanted to dance, it would look like this.

ACEO: Emotion In Blue And White: Painted August 24, 2010

ACEO: Emotion In Blue And White
Originally uploaded by diannna-art
Acrylic paint on 2 1/2" x 3 1/2"
110# Canson Acid Free acrylic paper.

I sometimes see emotions like a river. I certainly associate bodies of water with emotions. Different colors and color combinations have different feelings..

While painting this, I had thoughts in my mind about concerns and some stress.. but then I started to feel relaxed as I continued to paint. Although the stresses were still there.. they were able to be balanced by soothing sensation of taking time to just relax.

ACEO: Rain-Touched Surface: Painted August 24, 2010

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

I love the rain. The way it taps at my windows, splashes in puddles, makes things shine just from being wet and the way plants seem to wake up after the rain.. are just some of the reasons why I like rain. I have even tried to take photos of raindrops..

As soon as the idea came into my mind to make a painting that looked like the turbulent surface of a lake or even just a puddle during a rainstorm.. I knew I had to try.

I wrapped my index finger in a small piece of plastic wrapper and gently touched some paint to it. Then I lightly tapped the paint onto the art card. I would pick up a bit of paint and tap the card about three to five times, blending the color a bit and trying to be careful with how I lifted my finger. I really did not want to smudge the paint, I wanted this painting to look like rain splashing down. When I did accidentally smudge areas, I just picked up more color and tapped over the mistake before continuing on.

ACEO: Spinning In Primary Blue: Painted August 24, 2010

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

Two days earlier I had completed ACEO: Spinning In Phthalocyanine Green. This idea was still very fresh in my mind when my palette still had plenty of Primary Blue to work with.. so I had to see if I could work with Primary Blue.

I used a concealer brush that I keep for acrylic paint instead of the cosmetic use it was created for. Often turning the art card, I tried to avoid straight lines, curving each brush stroke in a spiraling pattern.

Although it might look like a sphere, a tunnel or even the sky spiraling.. I find myself imagining it is light shining through a blue glass vase.

ACEO: Moonless Sea: Painted August 24, 2010

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

While mixing mostly Phthalocyanine Green and Primary Blue.. (I say 'mostly' because the brush was dirty with other paint, but it mixed in well).. I was daydreaming about water, waves, the ocean and how it might look on the night of the new moon.

I have seen moonlight on water, but never really studied where the light was absent. So, in my daydream, I imagined how dark the water would be with no moonlight in the night and let the paintbrush express where that daydream took me.

ACEO: 7PM For Her: Painted August 24, 2010

ACEO: 7PM For Her
Originally uploaded by diannna-art
Acrylic paint on 2 1/2 x 3 1/2,
110# Canson Acid Free acrylic paper.

I brought my painting supplies to the dining room table, put down a plastic garbage bag (to protect the table) and proceeded to play. One of my sisters was sitting there with me, with a space set for her to play with paint too. I asked her to give me a time of day.. and she said 7PM, and clarified this meant before sunset.

I used Primary Blue to make the sky very blue. Some Titanium White was mixed in to soften it up a bit and then a small amount of Light Portrait Pint was used for that hint that sunset was nearing the horizon. It was fun showing her how I made a bit of a gradient instead of keeping the sky a solid color.

Usually when I paint a tree, it has no leaves. I love looking at tree branches, so that is what I like to show in my paintings. However, knowing I planned to give this art card to my sister when I was done.. I added leaves. I wanted the tree to be lively. I imagined fresh green leaves and maybe some small blossoms mixed in. I was worried I would not be able to make it look like leaves, but it worked out in the end.

It is 7PM For Her, the sister that suggested the hour. Now that I have learned I can create silhouettes of trees having leaves.. I want to revisit the idea in the future.

ACEO: Nine Magenta Roses: Completed August 23, 2010

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

On August 20th, I covered two card blanks with green paint, this was one of those two. The first card became ACEO: Spinning In Phthalocyanine Green and the second transformed into ACEO: Nine Magenta Roses.

Some fresh Phthalocyanine Green was was coated on the background as well as a hint of Titanium White. I started playing with placement of circles to decide where the roses would be. I wanted it to look like a tight bouquet.

Once I was set on the placement of the roses, I added Quinacridone Magenta, creating spirals that mixed with the layer of green. Then I began adding small amounts of magenta and white to each rose until they finally took shape.

If my camera took abstract photos, I think this is what a bouquet of roses would look like if I tried to take a close-up shot.

ACEO: Spinning In Phthalocyanine Green: Completed August 22, 2010

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

When I work on paper or canvas, I tend to like to cover the original bare white with paint. I do not mind the texture showing through.. in fact, I often like seeing that texture. Covering the canvas or paper in paint gives me a satisfying sensation of completing a step in the process of creating a finished piece.

On August 20th, I covered the card blank with a blend of green and white to make a minty green. I picked up the minty green card on the 22nd and layered on the Phthalocyanine Green. The minty green was put on in a spiraling motion, because I had already had this image in mind when covering the blank. Although the acrylic paper canvas-like texture shows through, all the brushstrokes are curved.

I worked on the piece so long, that the paint felt like it was drying way too fast. Thin layer upon thin layer of spirals in Phthalocyanine Green before I added a small amount of Titanium White to add some contrast in the green.

Is it the inside of a green marble being twirled in a spot light? Is it spiraling vortex or door to Wonderland? A rotating emerald pretending to be a disco ball? What ever it might be, we are definitely spinning in Phthalocyanine Green.

ACEO: Pink and Purple Starbursts: Painted August 20, 2010

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

Often I look at a blank piece of paper or canvas and feel I need to write, doodle or paint. The urge to create within that void and see what happens.. I think the sensation and giving into the urge is a lot of fun.

When I was in elementary school and told we had to paint.. I would spend my time studying a single tree (always the same one), creating tulips, or mixing colors together just to see what happens. I knew if I mixed red and blue, then I would get purple. But I would try to get different shades. To this day, I like mixing colors just to see what will happen.

With this piece I used Dioxazine Purple and Light Portrait Pink. I covered the paper with purple, let it dry and then proceeded to mix the purple with the pink. I ended up with a lighter purple before I began moving the paint into different shapes. Circles, triangles.. mixing the paint and just enjoying the moment of watching color swirl.

After a while, I added more pink and more purple and made starbursts. The process moved slower as I carefully added the colors to the existing paint and worked on not over-blending the paint. I really like watching the swirling patterns emerge and did not want to erase them by mixing too much.

The only brush I used for the mixing and created the starbursts was a concealer brush. It was made for cosmetics I use this brush only for my acrylic paint. The backside is signed in Dioxazine Purple with the use of a thinner brush.

ACEO: Windmill: Painted August 19, 2010

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

I spent hours playing with Primary Blue and Titanium White to make the sky, as well as Deep Green with Titanium White for the ground. Layers upon layers of thin coats of paint to make the sweeping look.

At first, I was just going to have a sky and field.. looking as it would if I was spinning in place and staring at the world. But suddenly the urge to attempt a windmill came into my mind and I gave it a try. In the end, I feel like I am looking at a paradox.. the sweeping sky and field look like there is a lot of wind, but the windmill is frozen in time.

ACEO: Cloud Shaped: Completed August 17, 2010

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

I worked on the background on August 16th, but when I went to add more.. my mind drew a blank. I had to put it aside.. not knowing if I would get back to it soon or not.

August 17th, I decided to put in a cloud formation. I worked a bit on the background and then added the cloud. When outside, I often stare up at the clouds. My imagination meanders and the clouds always look like different things. Clouds that look like bunnies.. or Italian bread.. or any number of things. I always find it fun to look up.

With this painting, I had intended for the cloud to look like a horse, but it seems to look like a dog, a spider or some other creature. In the end.. the only thing I am sure of.. is that it is cloud, that is certainly shaped like a cloud.

ACEO: Peeking Dog: Completed August 17, 2010

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

I do not always know what I am going to paint when I begin, but this image was in my head for a few days. I sketched it when I was running too low on white paint to attempt it. I was specifically thinking of an image that I thought a sister of mine would like.

August 16th.. Basic blue sky was set, the dog house, three layers of green to try to look like rolling hills and the dog was completed. To paint the dog, I asked my sister to email me a photo of her dog. I stared at it and carefully painted the doggy in the ACEO.

August 17th.. Added more to the sky, breathing life into what was originally just a solid light blue background. Decided that three sections of green was looking weird.. so I re-did the yard. A tree was planned, but after all the time that went into the doggy face and being pleased with it.. I was not going to cover half of it with a tree.

I played with the texture of the lawn until I felt the dog had a well groomed yard, but his neighbor's grass looked tall enough to hide a doggy. The cheerful doggy is peeking through overgrown grass, at you.

(Want to see a macro of the doggy face and get to see a photo of my sister's dog? Click here: Doggy Inspiration, to view it on my Flickr.)

ACEO: Peeking Dog Sketch: Sketched August 15, 2010

ACEO: Peeking Dog Sketch
Originally uploaded by diannna-art
A random blue gel pen on 2 1/2 x 3 1/2,
110# Georgia Pacific smooth cardstock.

I had an idea, but while I was low on white paint.. I did not want to attempt it. So with an ACEO blank and the nearest pen.. I quickly created this doodle.

The peeking dog looks more like a bunny.. so I used some arrows to identify things. I even knew which side I wanted to put the signature once I tried this with paint.

ACEO: From One Emotion To Another: Painted August 16, 2010

ACEO: From One Emotion To Another
Originally uploaded by diannna-art
Acrylic paint on 2 1/2 x 3 1/2,
110# Canson Acid Free acrylic paper.

Sometimes I imagine emotions like a river, flowing along. Sometimes I can enter this river and feel I have control of myself. Other times, I feel I am swept away. Even the smallest things can sometimes change the way that river flows. A moment, a word.. and one emotion suddenly flows into another.

Thinking of what different colors and color combinations mean to me in terms of representing emotions.. I began to layer them. Using a paint knife, I covered all of the white of the paper and let the piece be consumed by that emotion of the first color. Then, slowly I added a second color, a drop of another and finally a fourth. Each color slowly merged into next as I thought of the fluidity of emotions I experience on any given day.

Luggage: Wispy Sailboat: Painted August 17, 2010

Luggage: Wispy Sailboat
Originally uploaded by diannna-art
Titanium White acrylic paint,
on my Father's luggage.

My Father wanted a sailboat on his luggage.. I quickly sketched something out and he pointed to the back of the boat and requested more of a straight line there. Basically he wanted something similar to my earlier sailboat silhouette, but simplified.

At first, it was just going to be a line drawing, but done with paint. But I felt it was difficult to see where the sails really were, so I ended up filling it in. The texture of the luggage was difficult to work with, but it was fun to play with something new to me.

Acrylic paint is not really the best medium for this sort of project, but my dad thinks he will not be using this luggage for much longer.. so the boats did not have to last forever. It was nice to just get to play. I painted this wispy boat on one side and a solid boat on the other. By the luggage wheels, I signed with a mini sailboat, the letter D and indicated the date.

(To see the solid sailboat and signature, click on the image of the Wispy Sailboat to be redirected to my Flickr.)

ACEO: Dioxazine Purple Sailboat: Painted August 16, 2010

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

I wanted to paint pieces inspired by things my parents like. My father likes sailboats. He likes the water, sailing.. thus I knew my content.

I wanted to show a day with some wind, but calm seas... something that hopefully would be ideal for smooth sailing. I have painted silhouettes of sailboats before, so I went with the same type of image.. but colored it instead of just being solid black.

White sails were difficult to see on the soft blue sky.. so I went with a dark blue to really call attention to them. The part where the sailor would be is all Dioxazine Purple, the cabin is the purple, mixed with a bit of Titanium white. I added some waves around the boat.. particularly a wake.. to show that the sailboat is moving forward.

ACEO: Cadmium Red Rose: Completed August 16, 2010

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

On August 16th.. I painted a silver background and stopped at that point. On a piece of scrap, I tested how different colors looked over the metallic paint, trying to decide what to add. I went to sleep thinking I would attempt some sort of doodle with lines.. but had no real solution in mind.

August 17th.. I asked my mother what type of flowers she liked. It is a painting cliche, but I wanted to try to create a flower. Also, I wanted to create pieces inspired by what my parents like.. and I already had an idea of what I was doing in regard to the one inspired by a thing my father likes. Mom mentioned roses and lilacs. Particularly, Red roses.

The only red paint I currently have is Cadmium. With some blending, it ended up looking more like a dark pink flower. It took me quite a while to get to where this painting was finally at a complete stage. I think when it comes to flowers.. I definitely need to take some classes. But, it was fun to try.

ACEO: Heavy Silver Lining: Painted August, 15, 2010

ACEO: Heavy Silver Lining
Originally uploaded by diannna-art
Acrylic paint on 2 1/2 x 3 1/2,
125# Springhill Tag folder paper.

Quinacridone Magenta and Mars Black are used with SIlver are used in this card. Once I completed it, I regretted not using the better paper. Due to this.. I think I have reached a stage in which I should only use my inferior paper for quick thumbnail sketches.

Since I had just used these colors in an ACEO completed less than an hour before starting this one.. they were on my mind and got used again.

The magenta was used to cover the original color of the paper, then I added the black and moved some of the paint back and forth with a feather touch of my paint knife. I really wanted to have a layer of dark with the magenta peeking through.. something to express sorrow with the attempts to cheer up showing through. Then, I put on a heavy layer of silver and carefully brushed the knife along to blend it in.

Once it dried and I looked at it again.. I felt it captured what I wanted: A storm of sorrow with a mix of the madness of trying to be happy.. and the cliche of clouds having a silver lining. It is a reminder to myself.. that when I have bad days.. even the really big bad days, there is usually something good mixed in.

ACEO: In A Magenta Maze: Painted August 15, 2010

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

I used a couple of plastic painting knives and no brushes to create this maze. First, a coat of Quinacridone Magenta covered the white paper. Then I mixed in Mars Black, a hint of Titanium White and a thin layer of Silver.

I kept moving the board the card was on as I drew lines that formed the layers of the boxed labyrinth. The flow of the lines sometimes move toward the center, while other times moving away. This way, the choice does not have to be made between entering the maze or exiting.

~9x6: Silver In The Sky: Painted August 15, 2010

~9x6: Silver In The Sky
Originally uploaded by diannna-art
Acrylic paint on a (approx) 9 x 6 piece of
denim cut from an old pair of jeans.

I have a few pairs of jeans that are too torn to wear or donate to others. I had thought about trying to make paper from them, but never got it. Painting on them was something else I just never got around to trying, until today.

In 2008, I accidentally got some acrylic paint on a pair of jeans and discovered no matter how many times they went through the wash.. that spot never went away. It made me think that if I painted on jeans.. the painting will last.

Today I cut a piece of my jeans and decided to give it a try. First, I painted the section with Mars Black. I have only the tiniest bit of white left and knew it would not cover the section. (Time to buy new paint!) Then, I let it dry almost all the way before I mixed in some Quinacridone Magenta, directly on the denim. A hint of Titanium White was added to try to improve the contrast.. but the white is at the very end of the tube. (Think of someone squeezing out the last bit of toothpaste.. except it is paint.)

I waited around. Started another ACEO. It took a while for the paint to dry enough that it was at the nearly-dry, but-still-tacky-to-the-touch stage. I added the full moon and plenty of stars with Silver metallic paint. Then, with a smaller brush, I swept some more black and magenta across some stars, completing the illusion of an evening with wispy clouds and silver in the sky.

ACEO: BW Wind Dancers: Painted July 29, 2010

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

I had some excess paint, so I painted the art card gray. I had thought I would return to it later when something came to mind. But then, I started drawing lines and it turned into a meditation of sorts.

I did not want to draw straight lines, just spirals and curves. Then my imagination took hold. A couple dancing.. a swan floating by.. acrobats.. a hydra? All in the gentle currents of the wind represented by curved lines. It may appear rather simplistic, but I did take my time with it and had a lot of fun.

ACEO: BW Thin Swing: Painted July 29, 2010

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

When I looked at the ACEO: BW Tree Swing painting, I really liked the swing. I immediately wanted to try again, to improve it, to see what would happen if I tried to recreate that concept. Since I was not home yet, things remain in only black and white.

Instead of just 'zooming in' on the previous tree.. I created a different one. I wanted it to have more negative space in the tree itself so that the swing looked like it was part of it, instead of just attached.

The swing ended up a bit thinner than I planned. But, I am pleased enough with it.. that I feel inspired to try again (soon) when I have free time at home to give it more attention.

ACEO: BW Tree Swing: Painted July 28, 2010

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

When packing to visit Las Vegas, NV.. I brought five paint brushes, a handful of acrylic paper and two tubes of acrylic paint. (One black, one white.)

I did not expect to have much free time.. but there were some windows of opportunity when I was too tired to leave the hotel room.. but awake enough to casually paint.

I revisited the image of a tree. I adore trees. But, somewhere in the back of my mind.. a faint hint of a memory from elementary school days was this swing in a neighbors backyard that hung from a tree. Next thing I knew, I was trying to capture that tiny piece from my brain.

Signing the art card with coagulating paint was not my most brilliant of moments. It is hard to read, but it does say: DianNna