1288. In the Blink of an Eye....

 In the blink of an eye life can change, so make the best of each and every day.  Flowers make everyday better!

This painting is available for purchase.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1288-in-the-blink-of-an-eye/1190268

1242. Birthday Confetti

 My birthday was a few days ago, and in between calls from family and friends, I was able to do two favorite activities on my birthday--paint and read.  The splash of white paint or "confetti" was an afterthought to bring good luck in the coming year.  

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1242--birthday-confetti/1108175

1240. Farmgirl

 I received a beautiful floral arrangement recently from a friend.  It was from Farmgirl Flowers and full of beautiful pink and red flowers in a pretty pink vase with a ribbon.   It was a very cheery arrangement, and making this painting on a grey and dreary Chicago day really perked up my spirits.  I really don't like winter, and this was fun to paint.

 In case you are wondering, Farmgirl flowers never disappoints!  They ship beautiful arrangements anywhere in the country, sometimes in vases, other times in burlap, and I've never been disappointed on the sending or receiving end. The arrangements are unusual and often exotic and plentiful.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1240-farmgirl/1104171

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

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

1193. Grassy Knoll

 https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1193--grassy-knoll/1038115

1182. Before the Storm

 Hurricane Ian has destroyed so much of Florida, a place we love to visit, especially during the winter months.  I love the beaches with their beautiful sand and gentle sprays of sea water.  The photos of Ian's destruction are staggering.  So much is lost and will never be replaced.  I feel so bad for those people who have lost their homes and all their possessions, but thankfully most are still alive, and sadly some are not.  I am so grateful that my family members are all safe, but some without electricity and safe water, and thankfully, with no damage.

We had two back to back 100-year rainfalls when we lived in Wisconsin.  It was devastating and so much work to clean up.  My husband lost his car in one flood, and we lost everything basement level, and I know of folks who lost much more than that.  To this day, during a heavy rainfall, I cringe with the thought, even though we live in another house in another city in another state.  

www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1182--before-the-storm/1023366

1177. Fresh Aproach

 In this painting, I think I have achieved the harmony I was looking for.  It reminds me of the sea and the splash and I feel calm and happy when I look at it.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1177-fresh-aproach/1019641

1155 The Mist of Reminiscence

 With Mother's Day in the recent past, I was remembering all the strong women who mothered me through the years.  In addition to my own mother and mother-in-law, there were many, and so on Mother's Day and in the following days, my heart honored them all.  I was grateful to have my kids with me on Sunday to help with some gardening chores and to celebrate.  I am indeed fortunate to have such a loving family.

The troublesome painting that obsessed me has been turned face down in a corner so I cannot see it.  I spent so much time---three full days---fretting, applying paint, removing paint over and over again, yet have nothing of pride to show for it.  Lately, I have trouble with abstract shapes and forms.  Nothing feels right.  As a representational artist for so many years, I am very used to painting what I see, so painting something I don't see is extremely difficult.  I must loosen up and be free with my large gestures.  To move forward, I started 3 new paintings including this one, and am hoping I can gather some inspiration.  My favorite artist has a free "taster" 8 day class beginning on May 20, so I know I will learn a lot and will be swimming in inspiration and ideas.  Can't wait.  

I hope you are well and enjoying nice weather.  It was in the 80's today.  

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1155-the-mist-of-reminiscence/997165

1149 An Old Fashioned Girl

 

I thought I'd try a different color palette this time, not sure it's going to stick around.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1149-an-old-fashioned-girl/993251

1147. Ode to Wordle

 What a week.  I've learned so much with this painting to take forward.  I learned that letters in a painting such as the ones at the top left are no easy feat to achieve.  All but one letter were made with printer's blocks or hand painted.  I learned that going from a small format to a large format is not easy.  Many things don't look appropriate in scale when you size up.  I learned that the technique of sanding back does not work as well on a stretched canvas as it will on a hard surface.  And I learned that men are quite curious about seeing a woman in the power tool aisle. Nothing more to say about that.

Now about Wordle. I'll be honest that I can't get enough of it.  Every morning I work on Wordle, the daily Quordle (4 puzzles at once), and then sometimes I work on practice Quordles later in the day.  I take keeping my mind sharp very seriously, and heck, it feels good to solve the puzzles.

I got my Covid booster this week, and the day after was no picnic in the park.  I get the feeling that there's another uptick here in Chicago, so I am taking every precaution.

Till next time, have a meaningful holiday, whatever you celebrate.  

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1147--ode-to-wordle/992430

1125 Stop and Linger

 

You may remember me mentioning the Chicago Botanic Gardens as a favorite place of mine to visit.  The water lily gardens are always filled with wide-eyed photographers, both professional and amateurs like me.  We just can't get enough of the many beautiful varieties of water lilies.  There are lily pads of all colors and sizes, even one variety with pads two feet in diameter.  

Water lilies are not easy to paint.  Make a mistake and you've painted pac man.  

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1125-stop-and-linger/969591