1289. Flirtatious

This is a painting of one of many beautiful floral arrangements from La Terre Flower Market in Mequon, Wisconsin.  My friend's daughter graciously granted me permission to use their photos as reference.  This arrangement has all the components of HAPPY with its bright and cheery flowers.  Our Autumn has been beautiful here in Chicago, so HAPPY is the feeling of the days.

 https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1289-flirtatious/1191142

1263. On a Whim

As you can see, the bottom painting has had a major overhaul.  I kept looking at it and wishing I were happy with it, but in the end I was not.  I'm much happier with this version.

              https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1263-on-a-whim/1157456 

 Of all the colors on my palette, yellow gives me the biggest headache.  It is such a happy color and I love painting yellow sunflowers, but I find it very difficult to get the correct color in photographs.  In this photo, the yellow in the photo is brighter than on the canvas.  This painting was fun to paint, but a little challenging for the largest flower.  

Thanks to LaTerre Market, Mequon, WI for permission to use their image for inspiration.

This painting is for sale at the link below.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1263-on-a-whim/1157456

991. Paulie

 Introducing Paulie, my new grand-dog.  He was rescued from Alabama along with presumably his two children.  Apparently, if the owner of a dog is not identified within three days, the dog is euthanized.  He is very timid, but with all the love and loving care given to him by his new "Mom and Dad" is gradually coming out of his shell.  The painting is a birthday gift for "Mom," and she was very happy to receive it today.  

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/991-paulie/830392

897 Confetti Blooms

This bunch of flowers was the only multi colored bunch of ranunculas available, so I  had to buy them.  I find them to be such an intriguing flower, so rose-like, yet with wandering stems.  I painted this from life and had to move relatively quickly because the flowers kept changing, fading in color and "wandering."  I purchased the little pitcher from Good Will and it was a challenge to paint because its tarnished finish has so many colors.

The more I look at this happy painting, the more I like it.  I hope you do too.  Happy Easter and Happy Passover to all of you.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/897-confetti-blooms/660168

894 Upstaged

Setting up a still life is harder than it looks.  Sometimes what you envision in your mind just doesn't work in reality.  There are so many possible variations for positioning the actors and many, many photographs taken.  The right set up usually lets me know which one to pick. 

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/894-upstaged/656592

871 Skilled

Joumana, a teenage refugee in Lebanon looks proud because she has just crafted a doll from a wooden spoon,  and a lovely bouquet of paper flowers in a skill course provided by ANERA that is designed for older teens so that they can work for a better future for themselves.  Joumana has participated in a certified early childhood education training course, but many other courses teach these young people computers, hairdressing, cooking, sports, and other life skills.

"The non-formal education and job skills courses are part of ANERA's project, "Quick Impact Skills for Development for Youth and Adolescents Affected by the Syrian Crisis," implemented in partnership with UNICEF and with funds from the governments of Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

This is my ninteenth portrait of a refugee child served by ANERA, American Near East Refugee Aid, a non-profit, non-political organization headquartered in Washington, D.C.    The Innocents Project is my attempt to raise awareness and money for ANERA so that they can continue their good work serving these Innocents.

Look for more on this in the coming days.

For more information, please check out their website:  www.anera.org
You can also find them on Facebook and Instagram.

867 Hideout

Somewhere in Wisconsin...

This painting has sold.

861 Thirsty for a Better Life

No child should have to live under the conditions in which refuge children exist in Lebanon, Palestine and Jordan.  There is not enough of the basic necessities---water, electricity, food, medical supplies, etc. to supply to the refugee families, but because of ANERA's valiant efforts, nearly 134,000 Palestinians have been given access to reliable water supplies, including this little guy.  For four decades, ANERA has worked to manage sewage and give better access to clean water in the Middle East.  You can read more about their efforts to improve the water crisis here:
https://www.anera.org/what-we-do/water/

This is my 15th painting of a refugee child for my personal effort, The Innocents Project.  Please consider making a donation to ANERA to support their efforts on behalf of refugee families and please mention The Innocents Project.
www.anera.org

"861 Thirsty for a Better Life"
acrylic - 12x12 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/861-thirsty-for-a-better-life/586327

810 Super Girl

Loulou, a 17 year old 12th grader looks like any other girl her age, right?   Loulou lives in a refugee camp in Northern Lebanon and she is passionate about soccer.  Last year, ANERA (American Near East Refugee Aid) built a soccer field in the camp so that kids could play safely.  Here is what Loulou had to say, "Now, with the new field, my friends and I have a safe place to play. My teammates call me 'Super Girl' because I'm a fast runner and I'm always urging the team on. I help them learn new tricks. I think this is how we improve and move forward."  Loulou is making the best of her situation and is a leader, and I admire those qualities. 

 "ANERA uses soccer and other sports programming as a tool to cross cultural divides, cultivate gender equality and teach conflict resolution. Their staff works with local sports clubs to organize tournaments and practices with professional coaches."  ANERA improves lives in the Middle East by renovating and rebuilding schools and hospitals, providing warm clothing, blankets,  food and distributing medical supplies.  They do great work!

"810 Super Girl" is the seventh in my series of paintings for "The Innocents Project."  I'm a big fan of ANERA's and am hoping to raise awareness and funds so they can continue their work.  You can read more about their work by going to their web site at www.anera.org.  They are located in Washington, D.C. and if you are so inclined to make a donation, please reference "The Innocents Project."

I have revised the previous six paintings and you can see them by scrolling through my blog, or in my Daily Paintworks gallery, www.dailypaintworks.com/artists/diane-campion-3732 where they have all been updated.

796 Keyless Entry

796 Shy

This is the fourth portrait in my series called "The Innocents Project" in which I am painting the refugee children living in camps in Lebanon and Palestine.  I am hoping to raise awareness and money for the children through ANERA (American Near East Refugee Aid) in Washington, D.C.

There is no "normal" for a kid living in a refuge camp.  Most people don't realize that it gets quite cold in the Middle East during the winter, and heat is unlikely in the camps, and often in homes.  ANERA has distributed over 100,000 pairs of shoes and boots to keep the children safe and warm in Lebanon's refugee camps and in Gaza.  Tom's has been very generous in donating the shoes and boots for the children, who otherwise might be barefoot.  According to ANERA's recent newsletter, they have also distributed millions of dollars worth of vital medicines and supplies to clinics and hospitals in Lebanon and Palestine during the past year, 20,000 relief kits (school supplies, blankets, quilts, hygiene supplies, and clothing) in Lebanon, and as mentioned previously, 12,200 parasite treatment kits to prevent lice in the overcrowded camps in Lebanon.

Aside from all of the physical abnormalities of living in a refugee camp, imagine the psychological affects of living in a refugee camp where children see death from illness, violence or electricution all too often.  There may not be places for them to play, or clean water to drink.

Please consider a donation to ANERA   www.anera.org   and please mention "The Innocents Project."

"796 Shy"
acrylic - 12x12 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/796-shy/475823

dianecampion.blogspot.com

787 Still Sunny

Sunflowers are universally loved, I think.  There are so many interesting varieties
that everyone should be happy.  Sunflowers remind me of two special friends who love the cheery flower, one of them being from Kansas, where sunflower is the state flower.

Sunflowers also remind me of Van Gogh's iconic paintings.  This past weekend, I visited the Art Institute of Chicago and the "Van Gogh's Bedrooms" exhibit, where a life-sized mock-up of his bedroom in his yellow house was featured.  It was wonderful and I'm happy I had the opportunity to see it. 

"787 Still Sunny"
acrylic - 12x12 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/787-still-sunny/464141
dianecampion.blogspot.com