201 Open Arms

Although I loved the ocean and the marshes, I was most fascinated by the Southern Live Oak trees while in South Carolina on my painting trip.  I love the twists and turns of the branches, and the tree's invitation to sit and picnic or rest.  The Spanish moss hanging from the branches gives a somewhat eerie feeling.  Although there are no leaves on my tree, this tree has leaves year round, as those that fall off are replenished.  I am sure this will not be the last of my Live Oak tree paintings.

200 Gratitude

Today's painting is my 200th posting for the Daily Paintworks.  I had hoped to make them 200 consecutive days, but I took a week off from posting ( but not painting) while I was on my painting trip.  I chose to paint and post this painting "Gratitude" today because I am so grateful to have the opportunity to do what I love each and every day.  I am grateful for all the loving support and encouragement I have received from friends, family, fellow artists and the DPW gurus, and very thankful to those who have liked my work enough to purchase it for their homes or gifts.  I am donating this painting to Ozaukee Family Services, a favorite charity of my art lady friends, as part of their art basket for their silent auction.  This flower is a Campanula, or Bellflower, and in the language of flowers, its meaning is gratitude. 

199 Path to the Sea

On Hilton Head Island, our group of artists rented a beautiful home on the ocean.  This is a painting of the sandy path leading from the home to the Atlantic Ocean.  The beach was pristine and we found many "treasures" to sketch.  It is a very peaceful place.

198 Marsh Grass

I just returned from a wonderful week-long plein air painting trip to Hilton Head, South Carolina.  We immersed ourselves (somewhat literally---my first kayaking experience) in an attempt to learn about the marshes' plants and sea life.  I found it to be fascinating.  The wildlife, the terrain, and the landscape are all so very different from anything we have here in the Midwest.  Painting the marshes was a challenge because they change so frequently with the tide and the light.  It took some getting used to.  I will continue to practice now that I am home. 

197 Rolling

195 Complementary

I am suddenly crazy about the color orange and love it with my blue and white pottery. 

194 Asian Pears

When I saw these pears growing on my friend's tree, I thought they were apples.  The skin is rough and they are very hard, but when I bit into it, I was in for a big surprise---juicy and delicious.

193 Rolling In

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/193-rolling-in/175265

When you stand on the shore of Lake Michigan, if you didn't know the difference, you would think you were at the ocean.  It is approximately 80 miles across the lake from Milwaukee  to Michigan.

192Unattended

191 Bottom Up

190 Boundary

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/190-boundary/174672

189 Lake Michigan, Atwater Beach

"189 Lake Michigan, Atwater Beach" Acrylic on canvas board - 5x7 in http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/189-lake-michigan-atwater-beach/174393 Lake Michigan is one of Milwaukee's most beautiful resources. It is a very tranquil yet powerful place to visit.

188 You Go First

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/188--you-go-first/174258

187 'Til You Come Home

Meet Lana, a beautiful dog with the most captivating eyes.  She was the perfect model, posing for me just the way I had hoped.   This painting is a birthday gift for Peter,  and it is Peter's shoe Lana is resting on.  She eagerly awaits his arrival home each day, and then rests on his foot wherever he sits.  Happy Birthday, Peter.
(This painting is sold)

186 Mini

185 In Between

184 Autumn Berries

Autumn's color palette seems so much more vibrant than other seasons',  and oh how I wish we could keep this beautiful weather until Spring.  Winter will be here much too soon.  I must learn to paint snow.

183 Mountain Fence

This is a scene from a mountain in Lebanon, overlooking the Qadisha Valley near Beshari, the home of Kahlil Gibran. 

182 Pears on a Ledge

181 Autumn Trio

180 To Everything There is a Season

179 She Married Her Prince

Some titles come easier than others.   I bought this little pie pumpkin yesterday at a farm stand on my way home from a friend's mother's funeral in the country.  The orchids are from a table centerpiece that was given to me after a wedding we attended.  The bride was so beautiful and elegant, and while painting this little piece, my mind's thoughts floated from the happy life the couple has ahead of them to the long marriage my friend's parents had.  Amy married her prince, and so did Mary Alice.

178 The Odd Couple

177 Uncommon