1000. Cause For Celebration

On April 8, 2013, I began the journey to Daily Paintworks.  It took me ALL DAY to set up and paint a small painting, photograph it,  write the blog post, post to my blog, then Daily Paintworks, then Facebook.  I was exhausted at the end of the day.  I woke up the next morning to see that it had sold, and I was shocked and  delighted.  My Daily Paintworks shero was and still is Lisa Daria  Kennedy  https://www.dailypaintworks.com/Artists/lisa-daria-46, who inspired me with her commitment to paint something small every day.  As of today, Lisa has of pained a simple little vase of flowers for 2,954 days, never having missed a day.  Amazing.  She was so generous with her time and encouragement prior to me taking the plunge.  

It is obvious I missed a few days here and there,  and at a certain point, the little paintings were piling up and I felt that my time was better spent painting larger paintings.  For a long time, I did not number the larger ones, but then at some point decided to take advantage of DPW's venue.  I have enjoyed this time so much---not only posting, but being in the company of so many fine artists, experienced and novices alike.  I have met so many wonderful people, some who have become friends across the miles.  It is so nice to be part of a community, even if it is online.  

DPW has given me the opportunity to try new subjects and experiment with techniques  I have learned from other artists by studying their work.  I would highly recommend this practice to anyone who would like to grow with their art.  Here is a picture of my first painting, Hello, It's Nice to Meet You.

P.S.  Yes, the teacups were balanced like this without tape or any other stabilizer.  I only broke one other cup during the process.  (big smile)

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1000--cause-for-celebration/838646

999 Vintage, Made in Peoria

 Several years ago, I painted a tall stack of nearly-tumbling teacups, and I enjoyed it so much that I wanted to revisit it.  Some of my favorite cups did not survive our move, so I will scrounge to find others.  I struggled with the title, but seeing the words "Made in Peoria" made be smile because many of my favorite relatives live in Peoria.  I think I have another larger painting of teacups in my future.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/999-vintage-made-in-peoria/836999

998 Mia

 Meet Mia, one of my grand-dogs.  She is the happiest dog I know, and very disciplined.  She is so happy that she once had "happy tail syndrome," and yes there is such a thing.  She injured her tail by wagging it too much into walls and furniture.  Hard to believe that being too happy is a problem.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/998-mia/836368

Commissions welcomed.

997 Red Velvet

 The flower season is ending here in Chicago, and each day I try to bring in a few blooms to enjoy. This summer I've come to appreciate the Cosmos  flowers as the happy, yet under appreciated flower that they are.  FYI, my husband named this painting.  I happened to have what I consider to be a perfect frame for it, too.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/997-red-velvet/835608

996 Dreams Deferred

 

This young boy is one of many Middle East refugee children who have been served by ANERA. I have painted many of these children in the last few years for "The Innocents Project," my attempt to recognize the children  and to bring recognition to a great non-governmental organization, ANERA.  

I have seen first hand that Lebanon is a beautiful country with the nicest, most giving people in the world.  Unfortunately, she has been plagued with a weak and confusing government for many years.  In addition, the influx of Syrian and Palestinian refugees have pushed Lebanon into an economic collapse.  When you add the COVID-19 pandemic and the horrific explosion at Lebanon's main port to the mix, it is a recipe for disaster.  Many NGOs and foreign governments have come to Lebanon's aid, but there is just too much work to be done.

ANERA is an 50+ year old American organization located in Washington, D.C.  ANERA stands for American Near East Refugee Aid and I am very familiar with the great work they do in the Middle East.  They have stepped up to work with other groups in the region to provide medicines, medical supplies and PPE to the families affected by the explosion.  They are rehabilitating homes, mobilizing volunteers, distributing water and food.  As an unfortunate reminder, almost 200 lives were lost in the avoidable explosion at Lebanon's main port,  6,000 people injured and hundreds of thousands of people  displaced.  Many children have been separated from their parents or are still missing.   

ANERA believes that education is key.  They have built and rebuilt schools in refugee camps and have developed programs for youth, who have been the most underserved, exploited and marginalized age group.  Children are not able to get a good education in Lebanon, as public schools are overcrowded, violent and have a poor reputation.  Not everyone can afford private schools.   The official Lebanese school system is not open to Palestinians.  They attend schools run by the United Nations Relief Works Agency (UMRWA), which are overcrowded and underfunded.  39 percent of Palestinian  teenagers from Lebanon and 64 percent of Palestinian refugees from Syria do not complete their education.  There is so much more to report on the glooming situation, but next I will focus on the positive.

ANERA offers many practical vocational programs which provide cash to the youth employees who graduate.  Young people are taking the skills they have learned from ANERA's programs to help the people of Lebanon.  Their cooking and catering students help to prepare large quantities of food to feed many people.  Their carpentry students are helping to make repairs to homes damaged by the blast.  Other students are participating in nursing, solar installation, plumbing, electricity, and sewing courses---all practical skills which help both students and others.  They have improved water systems in refugee areas, improved electrical hazards, and many other improvements to refugee camps, which is their regular focus.  

There is so much more to write about this great organization, but you can read about them online at ANERA.org.  They are passionate people who have devoted themselves to give dignity to those who live in the worst possible living conditions.  Please consider making a donation, no matter how small, to this fine organization.

ANERA

1111 14th Street NW, #400

Washington, DC 20005

anera.org

995 Cosmos: a Garden Odyssey

 

I grew these Cosmos in my rooftop garden.  I think they are a very under-appreciated flower.  Cosmos is the Greek word for harmony, and I believe that these beautiful flowers add harmony to any garden. It is thought that the word Cosmos is also the opposite of the word "chaos," which is how you might describe the beautiful explosion of color these simple flowers bring to the garden.  There are many colors of Cosmos available, but I focused on the white ones for this painting.  I love their simple beauty.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/995-cosmos-a-garden-odyssey/833161