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

Marbled Flowers

Marbled Flowers
Originally uploaded by diannna-art
4x6 canvas panel
and two art cards.

All three used titanium white, dioxazine purple and quinacridone magenta. All three were created at the same time, while I was thinking of flowers that have bloomed in my back yard in New York. But, I feel they each have their own personality. This photo was taken just for the fun of seeing them compared next to each other.

ACEO: Marbled Flowers II. Painted July 23, 2010

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

Using the same colors as the 4x6 Marbled Flowers, I created this and one other art card at the same time. Tying this piece with the others, I used the same patting movement to keep the texture. However, I focused more on a twilight feeling.. I was thinking of the flowers that bloom in the evening. Every once in a while, I have seen moonlight catch a shy flower in bloom in the middle of the night. If such flowers were turned into marble, it might look like this painting.

ACEO: Marbled Flowers I. Painted July 23, 2010

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

Using the same colors as the 4x6 Marbled Flowers, I created this and one other art card at the same time. Playing with texture and trying not to let the colors blend too much, this piece feels like a bold bouquet of just three flowers, marbleized.

4x6: Marbled Flowers. Painted July 23, 2010

4x6: Marbled Flowers
Originally uploaded by diannna-art
Acrylic paint on 4 x 6,
gesso-primed canvas panel.

I missed painting, but things kept me away for a while. I missed the sensation of moving paint to produce an image, emotion or daydream from my mind. Since a large project was finally completed.. I have time again.

I was going to use one of my stretch canvases, but my mother pointed out my stash of small canvas boards. So I ended up using one of those. I used titanium white as a base and let it dry for a while. If canvas was a waffle and paint was syrup.. I liked to fill all the valleys with syrup if I can.

Once the base coat was dry I added dioxazine purple and covered the canvas again, before adding quinacridone magenta to the still wet paint. Instead of paint brushes, I used scrap glossy paper used a motion that reminded me of spackling which was fun. Then I used the same paper to pat at the surface, creating the texture. I kept adding small blobs of paint to move color where I wanted it. I chose the purple and magenta, because they remind me of flowers that used to be in my backyard. The touch of white was to add a bit more contrast. When I patted in the white, I felt that it added to the flower feeling I was going for.

When trying to decide on a final title for this piece, I showed my mother and she told me it looked more like marble to her, than flowers. So I decided on Marbled Flowers.

ACEO: Organic Waves. Painted: April 8, 2010

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

If Winter and Spring were dance partners and the music was a fast paced techno song.. it just might look like this. A touch of snow melting into green growth and sunlight. There is even a secret flower.

It is a little sad to take a photo of this painting, because it is meant to be interactive. To be viewed up close and touched. There are some ridges that lift off the paper like crashing waves. It is mostly smooth to the touch, but there are a few 'thorns.'

ACEO: A Slightly Inverse Landscape. Painted: April 8, 2010

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

I was just testing a mix of tools. Ordinary cheap brush, thin fan brush and a mascara wand no longer needed for mascara.

The sun is in the earth. The trees float and the sky is made of water. Maybe is a little more than 'slightly' inverse. It is a bit of fun madness not meant to be noticed immediately.

ACEO: Cacti Celebration. Painted: April 8, 2010

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

I had a silly urge, so I went with it. My original intention was to create silhouettes of people celebrating. However, I discovered that my black paint thickened/dehydrated.. and no matter how much water I added did not make it easier to work with. I decided to continue, but let my mind wander.. turning it more into a 'doodle' instead of any serious attempt.

The reason why I decided to continue instead of wait until I could get a new tube of black paint, was because I was using my camera to create a time lapse video.

The video is 46 seconds of silence:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/diannna-art/4512261838/

ACEO: Velocity. Painted: April 8, 2010

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

When I was a little girl, I would spend an eternity spinning in tight circles in the backyard. I would watch the world turn into a near-solid blur and fall to the ground. It would take a while for the dizziness to fade and then I would start it all over again. Sometimes it was a contest against friends to see who could stay on their feet longer than the other.

Every once in a while, I turn in place and watch my vision blend into that almost forgotten blur. When I did this recently, I thought it would be fun to doodle, in paint, what it looks like. If I was outdoors, it would have shades of green.. but I was indoors.

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.