Kisses

Diane Mannion, Kisses, 6x6" oil on linen

SOLD

Randy Higbee Gallery 6" Squared Show

Proud to announce that my painting Kisses, has been selected into the 4th Annual Randy Higbee Gallery 6" Squared Show.   This is the third year I've been accepted into this prestigious exhibition and with over 1000 entries, no small feat.

  Reception: December 7th

Exhibition ends: December 20th.

Randy Higbee Gallery

102 Kalmus Dr

Costa Mesa CA 92626

Please contact the gallery for purchase information.

350.00 framed in a gorgeous King of Frames, Arroyo Gold Floater

714 546 2156

1 800 506 7624

My painting, LATE MORNING was selected for the BOLDBRUSH FAV 15, 10/2013!

Erratic Array

Diane Mannion, Erratic Array, 8x10" oil on linen

Random Still Life

Class arrangement for informal still life.  Placed objects helter-skelter on a low platform and had artists choose one area to paint.  This was a paint along demo which I started along with everyone else.  First step was to do a thumbnail sketch, which I did... but in the process of painting I unfortunately ignored.   My sketch was a vertical composition but the yellow bowl caught my eye and I flipped the panel to include it.  Then pulled the aqua pitcher into the scene.  Yikes.

Took it home to wipe-out but something about the light spilling across the surface lured me into finishing it.  A good example for working out a painting instead of wiping it out.  Don't give up too soon.

Trinity Methodist Church

Diane Mannion, Trinity Methodist Church, 8x10" oil on linen, plein air

Arcadia Paintout

Sponsored by DeSoto Arts and Humanities Council

Glad to see so many painters around Arcadia yesterday on such a gray, gloomy day.  I'm really a sunny day painter... love light and shadows, but did the best I could.  (iPhone snapshot of my painting not the best shot). 

The town is well designed for painting outside in the drizzle though, lots of awnings and overhangs for protection.  Arcadia is an interesting place filled with antique shops and wonderful architecture.

The artist's paintings will be on exhibit until January 4, 2014  at Florida Outdoor Properties, 207 E Magnolia Street.

Ten Minute Jars, 2013

NFS

DailyPaintworks.com 10 Minute Challenge, 2013!

 Third year I've subjected myself to the dailypaintworks.com, 10 Minute Challenge led by Carol Marine.   Fabulous exercise and good but tough practice.  Interesting what can be accomplished in only ten minutes.  Painted each jar in ten minutes.

Used same jar the first two years, but this year settled for a simple baby food jar.  Set a kitchen timer for ten minutes and waved the magic brushes.  Beads of sweat popped out on my forehead,  teeth clenched, head ached, heart beat faster.  Walked around between each 10 minute session, stretched, pet the dog, opened the refrigerator...  It's not easy!  Takes total focus.
Above:
First row-ultramarine blue, red iron oxide.
Second row-ultramarine blue, cadmium yellow, alizarin crimson.
Third row- black and white
Fourth row- Party colors and all of above.

Now comparing the three years, searching for evidence of skill advancement.  Worrying about getting too loose!  But pleased with the results of a painful, painterly tradition.

Diane Mannion, 10 Minute Jars, 2011, oil on panel
Sold

Diane Mannion, 10 Minute Jars, 2012, oil on panel

NFS

Light Catcher

Diane Mannion, Light Catcher, 12x9" oil on linen

Don't Give Up!

This started as a class project and almost ended as a wipeout!  After demonstrating how to simplify composition into a few areas for massing, had artists go outside and collect thumbnail sketches and notes.  These would be turned into a small study, mostly from memory back in the classroom.  I attempted the same project... along with my iphone camera!  Also suggested students take a snapshot if they wished to finish the painting later.

Managed to get a first stage block-in for the class demo without using photo reference, planning on wiping it out later.  But there was something intriguing about the light.  Sometimes, it becomes a learning experience to see if a painting can be saved.  Next day, working with photo reference, I rescued this painting from the wipe-out rag.

I often see students give up too soon.  Perhaps, it's resistance to breaking through to a new skill level... growing pains.  

Don't give up too soon.  Give it time.  Be gentle with your creative self.

Durrance and Olympia

Diane Mannion, Durrance and Olympia, 16x20" oil on canvas.

Sold

House Portrait

Pleased with how this turned out!  Commissioned portrait of a new house in the old, Florida Cracker style, recently built in the charming historic district of Punta Gorda. 

Muhly Grass

Diane Mannion, Muhly Grass, 8x10" oil on linen, plein air

Floridian Pink Grass

Painted with a couple of artist friends this morning in Venice.  The muhly grass is still bright and gorgeous.  Florida does have seasons!  Instead of orange, falling leaves up North, we get fields of pink flowers.  Fall seems like Spring here, air conditioning turned off and windows opened.  Ahhh.

 Muhly grass field at Shamrock Nature Park, Venice

 Baby Gopher Tortoise visited under my easel.

Shadow Thanks

Diane Mannion, Shadow Thanks, 6x6" oil on panel.

Thank you, Dr. Campbell

Painted this for the vet that saved my standard poodle's life this week.  Shadow was in surgery in the middle of the night for a twisted stomach.  I had fed her chicken hearts mixed in her dry dog food thinking they were a treat.  Didn't realize after microwaving them that they would turn into un-chewable rubber.  Shadow gulped them whole which clogged her pipes like corks and caused the stomach to bloat and twist.  She would not have lived through the night without Dr Campbell.

Shadow's doing fine and I will never feed her chicken hearts again!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Dr Clark Campbell, and techs Tomeace and Rick.

THE VETERINARY EMERGENCY CLINIC, Port Charlotte, FL

Pansy Pandemonium

Diane Mannion, Pansy Pandemonium, 18x24" oil on linen.

SOLD

Hullabaloo!

Pansy Pandemonium, the title slipped into my mind while going through an internet nightmare today.  Heck of a hullabaloo!  Chinese company has been copying my work in oils on canvas and selling them.  Sickening.   I've notified sites and have asked for advice about this problem.  If anyone out there knows what to do please let me know!

Here are the progression photos of this painting:

And finished painting again.

Baby Food Jar

Diane Mannion, Baby Food Jar, 8x10" oil on linen.

Teaching Demo

A quick demo painted while teaching at Ringling Englewood Art Center today.  Passed around a few baby food jars and the assignment was to paint them larger than life.  One student set his jar up near the window where shadows were cast by the window shade.  It was also a partly cloudy day so the light kept changing and the shadows moved fast! 

Keeping in mind that painting glass is easy (ha)... just think about the shapes and values.  The same principle applies when painting a portrait... thinking only of the shapes that you see, not that the thing may be an eyeball... makes it a lot easier.  

Set my easel next to the artist that planted his jar in the sun and had a go at it.  Was thrilling!  Too bad I also had to stop and teach once in a while.  A lot was painted from memory because light and shadow changed constantly.  Concentrated on the basic shapes and hit a few light and color notes when I saw them.  The same thing happens while painting the Gulf from life... see an effect that happens a few times, memorize it, then attempt to capture it in paint.

A couple of new artists in my class have had medical illustration backgrounds and their skill level is evident!  It's a joy sharing knowledge with artists at any level.  The higher the skill the harder I teach!  Or the higher the skill level, the more difficult it is to teach something new to a student that thinks they know everything.

Does that make sense?

Hermitage Artist Retreat

Diane Mannion, Hermitage Artist Retreat, oil on linen, plein air.

SOLD

Ringling Englewood Art Center Plein Air Art FEST 2013

Cool, slight breeze, a few interesting clouds, lots of happy artists painting along with the sound of
 the surf.  Paintouts usually make me nervous.  I don't like painting against the clock in a competition, although it's an excellent exercise.  So I pretend it's simply another plein air painting adventure and try to relax.  This time, however, I was chosen to be the judge (Yes, so much power has gone to my head!) and because of that, out of the race.  But I still felt the need to"perform" or at least come up with something decent enough to hang on a wall.

We had a delightful opening last night at the art center!  The show looks wonderful.  It was difficult to choose the winners because everyone that painted was a winner!  However, one artist was outstanding and took top honors... Jacobina Trump, who painted three large fabulous paintings filled with energy, color, and confident fluid brushwork.   It was an honor meeting her and I hope to paint with her again soon.  Visit her website here.

My painting and all the others will be on display until Nov 26 at the Ringling Englewood Art Center, 

350 S McCall Road, Englewood, FL 34223   941 474 5548

On the Rocks

Diane Mannion, On the Rocks, 8x10" oil on linen, plein air.

Rocky Sketch

Another perfect morning painting on Caspersen Beach, Venice!  Endless compositions, colors, shapes, and forms in one location... an artist's dream.

These rocks aren't a natural part of the Floridian landscape, probably added along the shore for erosion protection many years ago.  But they're an inspiring subject to paint... artists are thankful for the form and structure, how they cast light and shadows, and especially how they look submerged reflecting translucent shades of purple and blue.

Give an artist some rocks, throw in sun, surf, and sand... and they're entranced.  Doesn't take much.  It's no wonder paint-slingers often haunt these rocks.

Tickled Pink

Diane Mannion, Tickled Pink, 6x8" oil on linen, plein air.

In the Pink

"I believe in pink!" - Audrey Hepburn

Pink Pain might be a better title, painting muhly grass was an excruciating challenge!  It's only in bloom this time of the year.   So when invited to capture this pink splendor in a field, I jumped into the knee-high thick of it.  Sneakers and ankles bug-spray-zapped, I stoically stood in the mist of stinging red fire ants.  Ahh, the joy of plein air painting!

Muhly grass is a difficult subject, so many layers, so much pink!  So many wonderful shapes and colors and textures!  Had to work fast with the late afternoon sun sinking and shadows growing.  

Pink Fields Forever

I love my friend's muhly grass interpretation.  

Perfect!

 

Eileen Wright, 8x6" oil on linen, plein air.

LATE MORNING

Diane Mannion, LATE MORNING, 6x8" oil on linen, plein air!

Dailypaintworks.com Facebook Pick of the Day!!!

Late Start

When my painting buddies wanted to meet at Caspersen Beach this morning, I said...YES!  

John went along to ride his bike while I painted.  Of course we had to stop at Benny's Bada Bing Bagel Shop on the way so we arrived a little (a lot) late.  

My friends were down on the beach and well on their way through the block in stage.  I set up on the boardwalk and had a good bird's eye view.  Painted fast to catch up and I'm pleased with the results.  Starting late and finishing early is a good way not to overwork it. 

 Sheila and Eileen.

The magic of painting on location!  Would NEVER see these colors in a photo.  There's nothing more satisfying (well almost, winning lottery ticket, or...) than bringing home a piece of time frozen in paint.  And even if it's not a masterpiece, it's a valuable piece of reference material for future studio work. 

View from Eileen Wright's easel.  8x10" masterpiece!!!

Here's a link to Sheila Thornton's painting... check it out!

And John rode from Venice to Nokomis and back and managed not to get hit by blind zombie drivers.

On the Way

Diane Mannion, On the Way, 16x20" oil on linen

Plein Air to Studio

Lined up my favorite 8x10" plein air studies and had my husband choose which one he liked best... we both picked the same one.  This is a path to a beach on Manasota Key where I paint often.  Last summer the beach sunflowers were in full bloom.

Here's the original study on my easel and the first day's effort.  That's Too-Loose LaWreck in the background waving me on, a wood sculpture collaboration between my husband and yours truly.

This is how it looked by the end of the next day... too greeeen.

I've had many folks ask for larger versions of my small plein air studies.  Working on a few commissions and a body of larger works for galleries... a major transition.  I'm addicted to painting outside so it's difficult to stay put in the studio, especially when Floridian weather is cool and fabulous.

Entry for the Punta Gorda National Show, 2013!

Quaker Parrot

Diane Mannion, Quaker Parrot, 6x6" oil on gessoboard

Bird Series

Another for my bird series.  While going through old reference photos, I found this shot of a Quaker parrot I snapped a few summers ago in Punta Gorda.  There's a large tree in a park which is home to a flock of these noisy, comical creatures.  When I zoomed in I noticed this parrot held a scrap of what looked like a candy or potato chip wrapper.  No wonder he liked hanging around the playground during lunchtime.

The thumbnail sketch.  I liked the leaf patterns and how the parrot blended into the background.

Bada Bing!

Diane Mannion, Bada Bing! 8x10" oil on linen

Neon Light

BADA BING!  Benny's Italian restaurant in Venice!  While waiting for friends to arrive, I snapped a few reference photos.  Loved the neon glow, colors and light.

Complicated subject, the thumbnail helped me visualize a plan of attack.  Wanted to have a figure walking into the restaurant but settled for the cat, instead.

Toned the panel with ultramarine blue and sketched by removing paint with a Color Shaper.  This allowed me to make lots of changes without adding any paint at all.

"Erased" the lights with Gamsol, brushes, tissues, and rags.  Added darks.

 Blocked in colors in background and the neon glow on the ceiling.

Worked on furniture trying to keep it simple.  Added cat, which helped to break up the diagonal line below the window, also made a great transition point between the floor and wall.  I liked how the tail echoed the arms of the chairs.  Yes, I think about stuff like this!  

Finished the flag, added a few indications of letters on the window and signs.  Painted the neon with the brightest colors I could find.  And Bada Bing, Bada Bang, it's done!

Dinner, by the way, was fantastic!

Out of the Blue

Diane Mannion, Out of the Blue, 8x10" oil on canvas

Titles

An artist asked if I had any title ideas for a painting she's working on.  Usually it's the first thing that pops in my mind, so I told her "I'll Scratch Your Back If You Scratch Mine."  The painting features a flamingo, don't know whether she'll use it or not, but I thought it was funny.  Her painting is colorful and whimsical so it might be a good fit.

Good titles are tough to come by.  I always find it difficult.  Sometimes titles descend from the clouds while I'm painting.  The first title for today's painting was simply a description of the composition, Plant Patterns.  Not very exciting, but would do until I thought of another. 

Last night while reading poetry, several titles filtered out of the blue and suggested themselves simply by the sound of words.  They had nothing to do with what I was reading but the verbal music playing in my head combined with the images of paintings I want to create caused me to jot the ideas down.  Unfortunately, none would fit today's painting.

And just as I was re-reading the paragraph above... a title jumped out!  "Out of the Blue".  Perfect.

A good title can take the image beyond the visual and resonate with different meanings and perhaps entice viewers to linger longer and look beyond the surface.   Although, "Out of the Blue" is an over-used cliche, I like the way it works with this painting.  There's a twist or play on words and color that works for me.  Not the world's greatest title (or painting) but serves to illustrate this story.

So, I've started a list of titles that I hope will inspire paintings.  And if anyone out there has some titles to spare... please send them along.

Punta Gorda History Park 2013

Diane Mannion, History Park, 8x10" oil on linen, plein air

Color and Values

 Punta Gorda History Park

Had every intention of painting a flower in a flower pot this morning, focusing on something simple... but was struck by the light and angles of the roof tops, a challenge, but well worth the effort.  

 This is how it looked earlier.  Loved the shaft of light on the grass in the foreground, but would not fit in my compostion.  Was happy later when it appeared between the buildings. 

Fast, scribbled thumbnail sketch helped lock in the composition.  

 Final painting again to compare.  Simplified composition, focused on light and color.  

Took it home and did not retouch it.  A morning well spent!

Masterpieces and artists lined up to talk and trade painting secrets.

VAC Punta Gorda Plein Air Painters!  Talented and friendly group!

Garden Colors

Diane Mannion, Garden Colors, 6x6" oil on canvas

Almost Abstract

This was my demo at Ringling Englewood today.  Painted on top of an ultramarine blue acrylic sketch. Those specs of blue showing through help unify the image and vibrates with surface colors... in an abstract way.  There was an abstract show opening inside while I painted outside with abstraction in mind.  After all, composition is actually the abstraction of visual space. 

 My abstract underpainting and photo reference of my garden plants.

My teaching aids setup in Ringling's breezeway...cool painting spot.