467 Lanterns in a Cobalt Pitcher

I was a little leery of painting the Chinese Lanterns so small because I didn't want to get "fussy," but I am very happy with them.  This pitcher was given to me by my dear friend, Sharon, who lives in Maine.  I miss seeing her and talking to her on regular basis.  Coincidentally, her birthday is October 2, so this was painted with loving thoughts of her and all the fun we had as neighbors.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/467-lanterns-in-a-cobalt-pitcher/271052

466 Hanging Lanterns

This was supposed to be yesterday's post.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/466-hanging-lanterns/270688

465 Dangling

These little Chinese Lanterns fascinate me.  They "ripen" from the ground up, so that the bottom lanterns are orange and those above eventually follow.  I love the various colors on each individual stem---orange, gold, green.  I hope you aren't getting sick of seeing them.  There is still much for me to learn about painting them.  The blue and white bowl will return soon, as well as a few other complimentary items.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/465-dangling/260423

464 Tipping Point

Did I mention I have an oak leaf mug, too???

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/464-tipping-point/260046

463 Lanterns on the Ledge

I have a teal planter in my kitchen bay window and the Chinese Lanterns look so pretty there. 

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/463-lanterns-on-the-ledge/259821

462 Chinese Lanterns and Oak Leaves

These Chinese Lanterns a.k.a Physalis alkekengi,  Japanese Lanterns, winter cherry, are my glamour crop for this season.  They have spread like crazy in my back garden and it is fun to find something so colorful that the rabbits don't eat.  I love how they look in the blue and white bowl with the acorns.  I hate to see summer end, but I love the vibrancy of the colors of Autumn.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/462-chinese-lanterns-and-oak-leaves/259329

461 Acorns in an Oak Leaf Bowl

Corny?  Cliche?  I know, I know.  I just couldn't resist when I found the first acorns of Autumn on my walk with Oliver.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/461-acorns-in-an-oak-leaf-bowl/259129

461 Fish Creek Harbor

It was a dreary day at Fish Creek Harbor when we painted there, and none of the boats were sailing.  The paintings I made on that day were noticeably much grayer, but on a later, brighter day I drove by the harbor and snapped a picture.  I am fascinated by how the water color changes so drastically with the weather.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/461-fish-creek-harbor/258918

460 Old and Stately

This painting was painted at the John Turner Trust property in Door County, WI on the first day of our plein air painting trip and finished this week in the studio.  It was a beautiful day until the skies opened up and drenched us.  We took a break for lunch, and then the skies cleared,  when I painted my favorite of all the trip's works.  This tree had the most unusual colored mosses growing on it--a rusty gold color I had never seen before, and a patina green that was a lovely contrast. 

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/460-old-and-stately/258692

459 Red and Leafy

The red leaf lettuce is a very strange color.  Not really red, not really green.  Almost both colors in the same place.

Painting has not yet been varnished to avoid glare in the photograph.  Colors will be more vibrant and apparent after varnishing.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/459-red-and-leafy/258363

458 Turnips aka "Lifit"

Pickled turnips are a staple in Lebanon, eaten at any and every meal, and called "pickles."  I have always known them as "lifit."  From an early age, I learned how to get the bright pink color (a slice of fresh beet) and now this tradition continues.  I'm sure if you have ever been to an authentic Middle Eastern restaurant, you have seen them.  These three were in our farm box this week, and will soon be "lifit."

This painting has not yet been varnished.  Colors will be more vibrant and apparent after varnishing.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/458-turnips-aka-lifit/258182

457 Onions in the Spotlight

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/456-dressed-up/257614

456 Dressed Up

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/456-dressed-up/257614

455 Scallions on the Side

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/455-scallions-on-the-side/257432

454 Balancing Act

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/454-balancing-act/257231

453 Gems in a Morning Glory Bowl

A few years ago, I got good advice which I have tried to heed with each and every painting:  What are you trying to say?  Don't just paint a pretty picture, make it mean something.  The message may not always seem obvious, but I assure you, there is something I am trying to communicate.
What, you might ask, am I trying to communicate with all these blue and white bowls filled with fruit or vegetables?

Yesterday, I received a comment from Carol A. Ball, another Daily Paintworks artist, regarding my painting "451 Better Than Candy," which is similar to this one.  She wrote, "What a lovely painting.  It just makes me happy and reminds me of home and food and cooking and family.  Good work."
BINGO!!  That is exactly what I want to communicate.   I couldn't wait to paint today.

Here is a link to Carol's Daily Paintworks gallery:
 http://www.dailypaintworks.com/artists/carole-a-ball-4878/artwork

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/453-gems-in-a-morning-glory-bowl/256921

452 Nectarines, Bird's Eye View

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/452-nectarines-birds-eye-view/256755

451 Better Than Candy

Some critter has nibbled nearly every large red tomato in my garden.  I see a tomato that will be ready tomorrow, and when tomorrow comes, half of it is eaten on the vine.  Thank goodness, the critter has left a few small tomatoes for me.  These are so sweet and I love to eat them fresh off the vine. 

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/451-better-than-candy/256487

450 Perfect Fit

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/450-perfect-fit/256188

449 Red Pears

I don't know the names of these red pears, but they are delicious and so beautiful, especially in the blue and white bowl.


Door County Plein Air Painting Trip, Days 3 and 4

It rained on the third day of our trip, so we spent the day at the coolest place called Hands On Art, where you can experience a variety of art projects, such as welding, glass fusing, jewelry making, mosaic, spin painting, etc.  I spent the day in the glass fusing building, and made four gifts, which I am delighted with and hope to make more.

On the fourth day of our trip, we went to the Fish Creek Harbor, where it was windy and dreary.  None of the sailboats were sailing, so color was limited.  I am not a sailor nor am I familiar with boats, but this is what I came up with.

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Plein Air Painting in Door County, Day 2 The Sheep Farm

On Wednesday, we visited The Whitefish Bay (sheep) Farm in Door County, where we were welcomed with open arms.  The grounds were beautiful and included a bed and breakfast,  a fruitful garden and a gallery with beautiful pottery, woven goods, and homespun yarn, and of course lots of sheep.  The sheep had their little jackets on because they had been sheared, and to keep them clean and unbleached by the sun.  The sheep are very interesting animals, herders, and very skittish.  I asked the owner if they are smart animals and she said, "They are as smart as they need to be at any given time."  I parked myself very near the fence and at times, would catch one or two of them  staring at me.  The minute I got my camera poised, they were gone.  Each one had its own personality, and very different look.

Here is my painting of Bobbin, and a photo of her.  I have never painted sheep before, but this won't be the last.

Plein Air Painting in Door County, WI Day 1 paintings

 I am in Door County, Wisconsin on a plein air painting trip with 15 other women.  Yesterday, our first day,  we painted at the John Turner Land Trust.  Here are my two paintings, not completed, but a good start.  It was a great day.

448 Leafy

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/448-leafy/254538