Whispers of the Sea

This painting was commissioned by a neighbor friend who wanted a companion to another seascape in their home. 

680 Underappreciated

Well.  This is the third little vase I purchased at Off the Wheel Pottery in Door County, made by artist Courtney Hancock, and by far the most difficult to paint with all those little leaves.  I hope I didn't get too "precious," the kiss of death for a painting.  I think it will be easier to paint on a larger format.  I am happy with the geranium after struggling with the color.  In case you are wondering about the title, geraniums are rarely my first choice flower for the garden because I don't think of them as being a glamorous choice, but I always end up delighted with them.  This one was a lucky find at Costco this spring and graces our patio with a giant splash of color that says,  "Welcome home!"

"680 Underappreciated"
acrylic - 8x6 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/680-underappreciated/408659

679 The Glance

This is another vase purchased at Renee' Schwaller's Off the Wheel Pottery Gallery in Egg Harbor, WI, and made by her former intern, Courtney Hancock.  This may very well be my favorite of the three vases since it has a different pattern depending on the side you are looking at.  (You'll see....) Sorry for the glare on the photo, wet paint.  Again, the nasturtium is from my garden.

"679 The Glance"
acrylic - 8x6 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/679-the-glance/408495

678 Door County Treasure

During our recent visit to Door County, I discovered a new gallery, Off the Wheel Pottery.  I visited it three days in a row because I had such a difficult time deciding what to buy, wanting a lot more than my budget would allow.  The gallery is owned by a very talented Renee' Schwaller, whose work is creative and unique from the typical pottery you see around town.  I purchased three little vases made by Renee's former intern, Courtney Hancock, in sgraffito style, which means "scratch" in Italian.  The colored slip (clay) is carved away to leave the design image.  My blue bowls were made by Jean Smaglik Wells, Milwaukee, also using this technique.  I couldn't be happier to find these little treasures.  You can expect to see this and the other two vases in many future paintings.  The nasturtium is from my garden.

"678 Door County Treasure"
acrylic - 8x6 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/678-door-county-treasure/408200

677 Was It Something I Said?

When these tomatillos showed up in the farm box, I had no idea what to do with them other than to include them in a still life.  The farmers sent a recipe for salsa verde, but I haven't made it yet.  They are part of the tomato family, but I have a feeling they taste very different from tomatoes.  I know this isn't my best work, but I really liked the title.

"677 Was It Something I Said?"
acrylic - 5x7 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/677-was-it-something-i-said/407938

676 Art Ladies

The Art Ladies had a celebration last night in anticipation of our plein air painting trip this fall, and this was the hostess-with-the mostest's table centerpiece.  It was a delightful evening in every way!

"676 Art Ladies"
acrylic - 8x6 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/676-art-ladies/407686

675 Gardenia

The gardenia, my sister's favorite flower, is elegant and so fragrant, also very hard to grow in our climate, even for the summer. 

"675 Gardenia"
6x6 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/675-gardenia/407433

674 Sunset Path, Door County

A visit to Door County wouldn't be complete without a walk on the Sunset Path in Door County's Peninsula State Park.  It is so beautiful and calming and I love to observe how the light hits the trees and the path.  This week, my husband and I rode the 9.75 mile path on bikes, just as we did so many times with our children when they were young.  We stopped at all the old spots---near the Lake to skip stones, the lighthouse, the boat ramp, the camp grounds--- and reminisced about seeing deer in the woods, and how the kids pretended to be afraid at the entry to a steep slope with a warning sign "Parents, Watch Your Children!"  We stopped many times to take pictures, but I got brave and photographed many path scenes, including this one, while riding my bike.  yikes.

"674 Sunset Path, Door County"
oil - 6x8 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/674-sunset-path-door-county/407211

673 Overjoyed

"673 Overjoyed"
acrylic - 6x6 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/673-overjoyed/405994

672 No Worries

I am trying to loosen up with my painting.  It's really tough for me because my natural inclination is to want to keep at this.  It took every ounce of restraint not to add a lot of fussiness to these flowers.

The title of this painting, "No Worries" refers to a message to Lisa Dara Kennedy, who I have been hoping would come to my neck of the woods to conduct a workshop, that she has no worries about this artist ever infringing on her territory.  yikes.  I guess Lisa would rather teach in Italy than in Milwaukee.  Imagine that.   hmmmpff.  Ha ha, Lisa. 

"672 No Worries"
acrylic - 8x6 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/672-no-worries/405726

671 Budding Beauty

The reference photo for this painting was obtained from The Morgue File.  It had a halo effect around the rose, but I didn't think it looked natural.

"671 Budding Beauty"
acrylic -

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/671-budding-beauty/405332

670 Carol's Challenge

For those of you who aren't familiar with Daily Paintworks, there is a weekly challenge that artists can participate in by painting the subject suggested, which usually comes with a photo.  In this case, it is Carole Marine's Rose Challenge (Again).  She posted a photo of a rose that looked like  something like this and I painted  it.  It is interesting to see the different interpretations of her photo and in different media.  Yesterday I painted a rose from my photo collection. 

"670 Carol's Challenge"
acrylic - 6x6 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/670-carols-challenge/405158

669 Falling In Love

I remember when the meaning of a yellow rose was "jealousy," but it seems as though the new meaning is of friendship and caring.  Specifically, a yellow rose with red-tipped petals means "friendship falling in love."  Who knows if all that is true.  My husband picked these out and they were beautiful.

This was painted for the Daily Paintworks Rose challenge.

"669 Falling In Love"
acrylic - 6x6 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/669-falling-in-love/404936

668 Lebanese Cherries

While in Lebanon last month, we attended a beautiful engagement party where the most picturesque  food was served, including fruits and vegetables so fresh and pure, that we rarely see here in the United States.  I was happy to see cherries, as I have a special place in my heart for them, since they represent Door County, Wisconsin, a favorite spot.  These had an interesting purple stripe, which I've never seen before.

In other news:  I am so excited that the TV production company for Chicago Fire has rented another of my paintings, "603 Sunflowers in the Sunroom."  It's a small gesture that validates and motivates this artist's work, and for that I am very grateful.

"668  Lebanese Cherries"
acrylic - 6x8 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/668--lebanese-cherries/404730

667 Ashes, Ashes, We All Fall Down

"667 Ashes, Ashes, We All Fall Down"
acrylic - 6x6 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/667-ashes-ashes-we-all-fall-down/404488

666 Competition

Another still life, complements of the weekly TSA farm box.  This onion is gigantic.

"666 Competition"
acrylic - 6x8 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/666-competition/404219

665 Changing

The hydrangeas which used to be pink are now changing to a muted green, which was hard to capture.  I didn't really think this painting through, and I think it shows.  I just love the hydrangeas.

"665 Changing"
acrylic - 6x8 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/665-changing/403973

664 Farm Fresh

During the summers, we purchase a box of vegetables from Springdale Farm, and we are never disappointed.  Not only do we receive organically grown produce which is so tasty and fresh, but I am supplied with an abundance of still life material.  I love the way the vegetables (yes, I know tomatoes are a fruit) look on this MacKenzie -Childs platter, which I won in a charity raffle.  I may have to someday paint this in larger format.

"664 Farm Fresh"
acrylic - 6x8 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/664-farm-fresh/403768

663 Perfect Harmony

When we visited beautiful Lebanon, we toured a winery called Ixsir in the mountains of Batroun.  It is located on a most breathtaking site, the building itself formerly a home for two families.  It has stone walls and a fascinating spiral staircase leading you down to the wine production area.  The entryway houses this lovely old pottery.  I read online that CNN labels this winery one of the greenest buildings in the world.  The wine was very good too, with no added sulphites, but unfortunately we could only bring one bottle home. 

"663 Perfect Harmony"
acrylic - 6x8 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/663-perfect-harmony/403546

662 Blue Sky

I photographed these flowers, Thumbergia Grandiflora Blue Sky Vine, in Lebanon, although I have seen them in Florida.  They are a beautiful vine and en masse are breathtaking.  I seriously doubt they would survive in Milwaukee.

"662 Blue Sky"
acrylic - 8x6 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/662-blue-sky/403149

661 Red Bowl with Olives and Rosemary

I was in Lebanon for two weeks and although I loved every minute of it, I certainly missed my daily painting.  I purchased this handmade bowl by artist Micha Paniouni at the National Museum store in Beirut.  I wasn't sure how it would work in a painting, but I am happy with this first attempt and I think it has many possibilities.  The olives and rosemary were picked at a winery in Batroun, Lebanon called Ixsir, a very beautiful place in the mountains.  The wine was great too!

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/661-red-bowl-with-olives-and-rosemary/402793