1234. Basil

 

This painting of Basil was a gift to a friend who lost her dog this past year.   

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1234-basil/1098327

1233. The Last Hurrah

 Unfortunately, there are no more onions grown in my rooftop garden, which is not to say that there won't be more onion paintings. (smile)  I really enjoyed painting this series.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1233--the-last-hurrah/1097450

1230. Tears of Joy

 

I love the color palette of these onion paintings and it seems very suitable for the onions.  I wonder how many more I have in me.....

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1230-tears-of-joy/1092415

1229. Backward Roll

I have friends and relatives who are or were gymnasts, so I couldn't help but think of them with this onion's position on my still life table.  The onions in my rooftop garden had a second growth spurt of green chutes after a warm spell.  Some have both the green scapes and dried scapes attached, which I'm sure you will see in a future painting.  

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1229--backward-roll/1090848
 

1228. Ornamental

 There are many ornamental cabbages grown at The Chicago Botanical Gardens and I inspected them all!  I was fascinated by the way the light created the illuminated effect on some of the leaves and of course I loved the colors.  These cabbages are grown strictly for their decorative affect and have no other use but to be beautiful.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1228-ornamental/1088879

1227. Cry Baby

 This is a larger image of the previous painting called The Onion.  I'm not sick of painting onions yet, so expect a few more.  Each one is unique and especially so now that they have sprouted again in the garden.  That was a surprise.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1227--cry-baby/1087776

1226. Cryin' Shame

 I'm still drawn to these onions, and want to paint as many as I can before I must bring them in for the winter.  I was surprised to see green scapes growing from the onions again.  I've never had that happen, but it does give me another painting opportunity. 

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1226--cryin-shame/1086266

1225. The Onion

 I'm really enjoying the fruits of my labor in the kitchen AND in my studio.  Each onion is unique and I really love painting with these colors.  I'm sure  this won't be the last of these paintings as I have a lot of onions in my rooftop garden and a lot of potential titles.  This painting was given as a gift to a friend.

1224. Sudden Stop for Hollyhocks

 A Facebook friend posted a photo of Hollyhocks, and gratefully she agreed to let me use it as a reference.  She happened to be driving and saw hollyhocks growing near a restaurant, and she stopped to photograph them.  It reminded me of the bumper sticker that reads, "I brake for garage sales"  because those of us who love flowers can't help but stop to admire their beauty.  

Thanks to Karen Spinti for the great photo.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1224--sudden-stop-for-hollyhocks/1084726

1223. Tear Jerker

 I've grown onions in my rooftop garden for the last three years, and this year I am more fascinated with them than ever.  It amazes me that they start out so very small---seedlings are thin as pins and very fragile,  yet end up being a sturdy kitchen staple.  I'm very happy with this painting as I enjoyed painting the twists and turns of the scapes.  

This painting is for sale.  Please contact me via my web site or Daily Paintworks. 

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1223--tear-jerker/1084257

1222. New Kuroda

 The carrots in this painting were grown in my rooftop garden.  New Kurodas are found to be particularly sweet with a nice texture.  It's really fun for me to climb up the stairs to pick the vegetables for our dinner or for a still life.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1222-new-kuroda/1083093

1120. Goodfellas

 

I grew the onions pictured in my rooftop garden, their development was interesting to watch throughout the season.   Can you guess the reference to Goodfellas?

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1120-goodfellas/1081902

1218. Blue Skies and Wheat Fields

 I was commissioned to paint a companion piece to 1152. More Prayers For Peace (middle photo), which was inspired by and painted during the early days of the war in Ukraine.  Blue and yellow, always a winning combination, take on a more meaningful interpretation as colors of the Ukrainian flag represent the color of the sky and the wheat fields of Ukraine.  

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1218-blue-skies-and-wheat-fields/1070037

1217. Nocturnal

 https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1217-nocturnal/1069056

I like the look of this, simple as it is, with sort of an industrial feel to it.  I'm really enjoying working with a very limited palette for my series called Insomnia, which of course is related to sleep.

1216. Counting Sheep

 

I've been working on a commissioned piece and getting play time in during the rest periods when I need distance from it.   I am concentrating on this neutral palette, hoping to make a sleep related series called Insomnia.  I love this limited neutral palette almost as much as more colorful ones and it certainly coordinates with my proposed theme.  Everyone I talk to seems to have sleep troubles these days, so I'm hoping the series will be relatable.    

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1216-counting-sheep/1068628 

1215. Searching For the Milky Way

 

 This isn't the painting I set out to paint.  I intended to paint a darker painting as a part of my Star Bright Star Light series.  But early on in the process, I randomly came across the Photographer of the Year 2023 photos of the Milky Way captured by several artists, and this is what I subliminally came up with.  These photographers travel all over the world from remote deserts to lost landscapes to capture the Milky Way in all its glory.  Check it out to see the most exquisite photographs of the Milky Way.  You won't be disappointed.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1215--searching-for-the-milky-way/1067963

1214. Mid Century Meets Modern Day

 I never intended to paint this---it just happened.  The colors remind me of Mid Century colors and I added my own twist.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1214-mid-century-meets-modern-day/1067569

1213. A Million Little Things to Think About

 The title probably has you wondering...but I'm not ready to say.  I have a new series in mind and this would be the first.  I need to make sure I follow through.  There is so much to think about.  ha ha

1212. Over the Hump

 Here is another example of contrast, where the freeform shapes are contrasted with the straight-edge lines.  I love working with this color palette.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1212-over-the-hump/1065351

1211. Sunset

 

This is just a little painting at 8" x 6".   I feel it is a good illustration of how, internally, I feel conflicting needs to be loose, intuitive and fancy-free, yet orderly.  I really don't mind, in fact, I enjoy repetitive activities, and I have the patience for it.  Maybe it's a conflict, maybe it's just me.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1210-sunset/1064463

1210. Garden Party

 

I really enjoyed making this painting.  I love all the colors and although it may look like it was an easy painting, it was not.  I struggled for a long time before I found my way.  

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1210-garden-party/1059105

1208. Gerhard's Garden

 I received a raving response to this painting and I'm thrilled.  I don't normally paint with these colors much, but hey, winter has been going on far too long.  It may be on its way to a permanent home soon, so fingers crossed.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1208-gerhards-garden/1057366

1207. To the Beach

 

I'm very happy with this, even though it has a gritty feel to it.  I stretched myself, and I think that's what I'm pleased with.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1207-to-the-beach/1053686

1206. Untitled (inspired by the colors of the beach)

 I'm winding up my beach trip and am sad to go.  The beach really is a place of  solitude.  The Red Tide has impacted the water and the air we breathe.  It is very sad to see so many dead fish.  

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1206-untitled-inspired-by-the-colors-of-the-beach-/1052696

1205. Untitled (but inspired by the colors of the beach)

 This is the fifth in my series of 6 small beach inspired paintings.  With so much company these past few weeks, I have not had much time to paint, and it's sorely missed especially since I'm at the beach!

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1205-untitled-but-inspired-by-the-colors-of-the-beach-/1052091

1204. Untitled (inspired by the colors of the beach)

 https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1204-untitled-inspired-by-the-colors-of-the-beach-/1051349

1203. Untitled (but inspired by the colors of the beach)

This painting turned out to be one of my favorites, not sure why.   There were some happy accidents playing a bit part and I guess they played a part.
 

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1203-untitled-but-inspired-by-the-colors-of-the-beach/1050881

1202. Untitled

Inspired by the colors of the beach.  This is the second of six paintings using a limited, neutral palette. 

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1202-untitled/1050360 

 

1201. Untitled

 

I'm away from home, and with lots of wonderful company and a strange setting, it's been difficult for me to get into the routine of painting.  I set my goals to use a limited palette, and it occurred to me that these colors are very much beach colors.  It sort of surprised me, because I've always associated "beach colors" with sky blue and ocean blue, so I'm trying to avoid the blue.  

I set myself to paint a series of 6 paintings in this palette and size.  Here is the first of six.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1201-untitled/1050203

1200. Two Sides to the Story (and I'm Not Getting Involved)

 The more I paint with a limited palette, the more I like it, especially in neutrals.  I tried adding marks and shapes in the right side, but decided I liked the open space.  The correlation to the title came to me after that decision.  

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1200-two-sides-to-the-story-and-im-not-getting-involved-/1048845

1199. The Writing's On the Wall

 I've been working on several paintings at one time to try to minimize the possibility of obsessing over any one of them.  This one has gone through several stages of our "relationship."  I am finally happy with it.  Please zoom in to see the faint details.  I enjoy giving homage to the former quilter in me by drawing precise lines-- such precision being important when quilting so that things line up and seams meet.  It's fun to create the evident contrast, not only in light and dark, but in shapes and elements of precision/freedom.  

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1199--the-writings-on-the-wall/1047505

1198. The Meaning of Life

The concept of Wabi-Sabi has always intrigued me, as I have a fondness for old, worn, imperfect items, which I know have meaningful beauty and hidden stories. I live near elevated trains and the patterns of the rusty supports always sends a little surge through me. Chipped and weathered paint sends me to the moon.

This piece, The Meaning of Life is the first piece where I worked directly on the cradled board. OMG. I've been deprived until now!! It was so much fun, and even the sounds of the scraping and sanding were delights.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1198-the-meaning-of-life/1043833

1197. Secret Hideaway

 Continuing on with the same basic palette as previous painting, this was more of a challenge. I do love the colors and am sure they will have an important part in future paintings.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1197-secret-hideaway/1043301

1196. Pretty Please

 I really love this painting.  It is calming and joyful and it told me when it was finished.  

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1196--pretty-please/1042900

1195. Riley

 Riley was our friends' sweet dog who sadly crossed the Rainbow Bridge before Christmas.  She was so gentle, and loved to play with her friends and to chase wildlife.  Her family misses her.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1195-riley/1040501