1277. In the Forest of God

 

The Forest of God is such a breathtakingly beautiful place in Lebanon and the location of THE cedar tree that graces the Flag of Lebanon.  It is missing some of its branches due to disease, but it's still beautiful.  The forest is so peaceful and full of cedar trees, both alive and dead.  A French artist has taken the dead trees and carved into them.  One tree has the image of Jesus in his last moments, another carving that looks like it may be a child.  Here are a few photos:

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1277-in-the-forest-of-god/1166533

1269. Our Roots Run Deep

For better viewing, here are the two paintings stacked.

This row of trees, which is actually just a partial view, is located in the south of Lebanon as you approach the village in Marjeyoun, which is where my very large Lebanese family originated.  On my visits to Marjeyoun, these trees captivated me and it took several years for me to be able to paint them.  It was only after I learned that a family member planted them so that they could have pine nuts was I able to paint them.  It changed everything.

This painting,  is comprised of two 12 x 24" paintings which are intended to be hung side by side is called a diptych which measures 12 x 48".  Because they were so far in the distance, a lot was left to my imagination.  I hope that I have captured their mystery and beauty.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1269-our-roots-run-deep/1165301

1044 The Cedar of Lebanon

 In 2011, my daughter and I visited Lebanon, our second of three trips there together.  Most memorable and meaningful that trip were visits to the Cedar Forest and the home of Lebanese poet and philosopher, Kahlil Gibran.  The cedar forest was so unbelievably tranquil and beautiful.  This tree that I painted is the original tree that was chosen for the flag of Lebanon, but in its 2011 condition with many branches missing.  It seems significant to me that this tree which represents Lebanon, has lost so many limbs, just as the country has experienced so much turmoil and pain.  Yet, a new generation is there to carry on, just as the young cedars in the forest.

In case you are interested, the current flag of Lebanon with two red horizontal stripes, top and bottom, with a middle center of white with the green cedar was created in 1943 when Lebanon became liberated from France.  The larger white stripe signifies peace and unity, while the red represents all the bloodshed Lebanon has experienced fighting off invaders.  The cedar tree is common in Lebanon and signifies eternity, holiness, peace and longevity.  There are 77 references to the Cedars of Lebanon in the bible.

1038 Noor

 

Several years ago, I began The Innocents Project, my personal effort to raise awareness of the refugee children in the Middle East and the difficulties they face.  I do this also to raise awareness to the good work provided by ANERA.  Noor's portrait is one of the 30-plus portraits I have painted so far.   It's been quite a while since the last portrait, and judging by this one, I am very rusty. I always have trouble with the skin tone and this one was no exception. 

ANERA, which stands for American Near East Refugee Aid, is an American nonprofit that provides educational, medical, and so much more to refugee families in Lebanon and Palestine.  Because only one-third of four and five year olds participate in preschool,  early childhood education is one of ANERA's priorities for  these children during the important formative period.  Noor is a student at the Madama Preschool in the West Bank where ANERA has established the Right Start program, which supports West Bank and Gaza preschools and community organizations.  The Right Support program also gives teachers and parents the tools they need to ensure a healthy future for their children.

ANERA's web site is www.anera.org.  If you would like to learn more about what is provided by this fine organization and what is needed,  please check it out, and if you are so moved, make a donation.

936 The Environmentalist

Via Anera's February 11 Facebook video, I was introduced to this 12-year old Palestinian, Hatem, who lives in Burj Shemali Refugee camp in South Lebanon.  I was taken aback by his poise and enthusiasm in explaining how Anera works to promote environmentalism and good hygiene in Lebanon.  Hatem attends one of UNRWA's schools and in addition to conducting a tour of his school, he explained that Anera helped clean the area in just 3 days, and collected 60,000 bottle caps, which were later used in an art installation.

Anera conducts a series of awareness sessions at schools "to change attitudes and behaviors around littering, pollution, recycling, sorting waste at source and composting.  Anera has designed and rolled out a year-long plan, through which these core themes are communicated to young children in an interactive and fun way.  The long term goal is to help shape the youth in Lebanon regarding the environment."

This program is funded by UNICEF and implemented by Anera.  As you may know, I am devoted to Anera and the great work they do in SO many ways to improve lives of refugees in Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and Jordan.  This is one of nearly three dozen portraits I have painted of Palestinian Refugee children in my effort to raise awareness of Anera's good work, which I firmly believe in.

Please consider making a donation to Anera, and mention The Innocents Project.  www.anera.org

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/936-the-environmentalist/756770

803 I Deserve More

 From all outward appearances, this darling little girl looks normal, right?  She's clean,  her hair is combed and she is wearing a nice big smile on a sunny day (not that all of that makes "normal).  But her life is far from normal.  She is one of too many refugees living in makeshift camps devised from tents or old barracks in Lebanon and Palestine.  In the many photos I have seen of the camps, they appear to be cement walls with a tarp used as a "roof" to connect them.  It's very sad for me to think that this is how this little girl lives and it is the only way she knows to live.   Her family has to beg for clean water to cook, drink and bathe in a bucket.  

ANERA is working very hard to help these children who have faced war and displacement in their very short lives.  They have renovated schools, improved on water systems, and provide shelter, medical supplies, clean clothes, blankets, playgrounds and done everything within their power to make the lives of the displaced Syrians and Palestinians more comfortable and "normal."  

This painting is part of my series of refugee children that I am calling "The Innocents Project."  I am very committed to try to raise awareness of the horrific situations that the children face, with the hope that you will check out the good work that ANERA does (American Near East Refugee Assistance) and consider making a donation to help these children.   This project came about for me because I wasn't satisfied with just sending donations to this worthy cause.  I felt I needed to do more.  I sincerely hope you will go to ANERA's web site to see the reality that these people face and will make a donation.  www.anera.org 

"803 I Deserve More"

acrylic - 12x12 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/803-i-deserve-more/483851

dianecampion.blogspot.com

802. Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, a.k.a. "The Rached Church"

Today was the third and last day of my painting class with Milwaukee based artist, Shelby Keefe and lots of other really cool painters at The Peninsula School of Art.    Yesterday, Shelby's demonstration was of an architectural scene from her recent plein air painting trip to Cuba, and so I thought I should try to paint something in that genre.  Yikes.  I am far from a technical drawer and this was really difficult.  I learned so much from these three days that will carry me forward, most notably that I should take more time with my rendering and be much more purposeful with my brush strokes.  And that I need a bunch of new paintbrushes.    

This is a Catholic church in the south of Lebanon in my ancestors' village of Marjeyoun.  We still have family who live there--the most generous and hospitable people I've ever known.  The church is affectionately called "the Rached/Rashid Church" because the Rached/Rashid Family has helped maintain it throughout the war years and beyond.  It is quite beautiful and is a symbol of our family's connection to our heritage.  This painting will be donated to our 88th annual family reunion for their
raffle.

"802. Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, a.k.a. The Rached Church"
acrylic - 20x16 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/802-saints-peter-and-paul-catholic-church-aka-the-rached-church/482659

dianecampion.blogspot.com

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

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

251. In a Row 4

This is how the painting might look with a simple floater frame. 

250. In a Row 3

249. In a Row 2

Please see yesterday's blog to find a description of this scene.

248. In a Row

I have painted these trees many times and never tire of doing so.  There is a very long row of them that line the hills of Marjeyoun, Lebanon.  They were planted by my family so that they could have pine nuts readily available.  They also own olive groves in this unbelievably beautiful part of the world.  Have you ever had that feeling when you see something so beautiful that your heart skips a beat and you cannot help but feel so small?  That is how I felt when I visited this village, the land of my ancestry.

234 Take Me Back Again

This is another painting of the same scene in Marjeyoun, Lebanon as painted about a week ago.  Please see my blog for the story of this painting.  I am having great difficulty getting the colors right in the photograph.  The background behind the trees is more greyish-light turquoise than appears here.