1139 Truth and Reasoning

 

I'm really enjoying this abstract work and am getting a lot of mileage out of the paint on my palette that's been leftover from another painting.  I'm particularly enjoying finding just the right postage stamp for each painting, which comes in handy when thinking of a title.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1139-truth-and-reasoning/986745

1138. Pray For Peace

 

Hello Friends,

As you know, I just recently completed an online workshop with Judy Woods in which abstract painting/mixed media/collage were the focus.  I enjoyed it very much and decided to continue on my own.  This piece came together quite quickly, and I am happy with the results.  I had planned on naming it "The Sea Around Us" which was an except from the piece of collage paper used.  But then I found the old postage stamp with the words "Pray For Peace" which is so timely right now.

The cost of the stamp was 4 cents, (and I just discovered we don't even have the "cents" symbol on our keyboards anymore), and though the photo states 1960 Providence R.I. , I don't know if that is the year of the drawing on the stamp or the year the stamp was issued.  Either way, the 1960's brought many reasons for people to pray for peace:  Cold War (1947-1991, Vietnam War (1955-1975), Indo-Pakistani War ((1965), Arab-Israeli "conflict" (early 20th century - present) and including the Six Day War  between Israel, Jordan, Syria and Egypt.  (1967).

Please pray for peace and the Ukranian people.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1138-pray-for-peace/986581

1088 Oh Happy Day

 It's a beautiful, happy day.  Nothing says "happy" like polka dots.  I love them.  In fact, later today we are attending a wedding and guess what I am wearing. A black and white polka dot dress! 

I was curious to know more about polka dots.  This is part of what I learned, compliments of Wikipedia.

"Polka-dots: If you can't let go of polka-dots dress or shirt, your personality is probably just as lively and energetic as the playful print. Those who prefer polka dots have also been identified as hardworking and multi-taskers. ... You can use polka dots even in neutral colors, like black, white, and grey."

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1088-oh-happy-day/932056

Day 25 of #stradaeasel challenge

1081 Hidden Agenda

 I have had it with these Gerber daisies.  

Day 18 of Strada Easel September 2021 30 -day challenge.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1081-hidden-agenda/929894 

1080 The Gift of Sunshine

 Yellow is such a happy and beautiful color, but I have the hardest time painting it. There is not a lot of color variation in these daisies,  so my tendency is to get too fussy.  I will give it one more go tomorrow (as long as the flowers are still alive) and then I will try to find a different color daisies to paint.

Day 17 of the Strada Easel 30-day challenge. 

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1080-the-gift-of-sunshine/929560 

1079 Dancing Dahlias

 I have a few dahlias growing on the roof, and the bees LOVE them, in fact to the point where I have to be strategic in my attempt to cut them. They are very territorial.

Day 16 of the Strada Easel 30-day September challenge

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1079-dancing-dahlias/929146

1076 Sharing the Spotlight

The zinnias are really difficult to paint because of all the individual petals.  I have to fight the inclination to paint each one, which would be tedious and boring for the viewer.  

Day 13 of the Strada Easel 30-day challenge.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1076-sharing-the-spotlight/928192

 

1074 Nipped in the Bud

 While perusing the roof this morning looking for a flower to honor in my painting, I came across the eggplant buds that likely won't make it to full eggplant growth.  I'm not sure this end result is what I had in mind, but it will have to do.

The vase is--you guessed it--from Off the Wheel Pottery, the third in a trio I purchased there one summer.  It has this wonky tree design that I have been avoiding for a very long time.  I'm happy with the way it turned out.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1074-nipped-in-the-bud/927650

1072 Beauty and a Beast

 A few years ago, I had the good fortune to observe a family of Great Horned Owls nest in our neighborhood.  It was an amazing experience.  Not only are they stealth, they are fierce.  The owlets were so adorable, and watching them fledge was amazing.  We were fortunate to have this same experience the following year.

The little vase was made by Renee Schwaller of Off the Wheel Pottery.  I couldn't resist the little owl, and the other side has a picture of a little perched bird.  I love the contrast of the elegant geranium and the whimsical image of the bird and hope you do too.

Day 8 of the Strada Easel September 30-day Challenge

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1072-beauty-and-a-beast/926992

1070 For the Birds

 

The sunflowers on my roof are winding down, petals falling with any little breeze or motion.  I hate to see them go.  The birds have been pecking away at the seeds, so I suppose I will leave the mammoth stalks in the ground of the elevated containers for them to enjoy the seeds.  I love this little polka dotted box because it reminds me of my very first friend and neighbor in Milwaukee.  We used to pass it back and forth with little gifts for birthdays, etc.  It "appeared" at our back doors, always bringing joy to the recipient.  I miss her.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1070-for-the-birds/926368

1068 Quick Change Performance

 I very much enjoyed painting the hosta yesterday and wanted to paint it again today.  The vase is the same as in yesterday's painting, but rotated to reveal a different design.  It is one of my favorite pieces, purchased from a really great potter's studio and barn in Egg Harbor Door County called Off the Wheel Pottery.  Renee Schwaller is the really cool proprietress and I am proud to own many of her pieces.  

Today is Day 4 of the Strada Easel's 30-day September Challenge.  

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1068-quick-change-performance/925702

1066 The Birds and the Bees

September 8.  I was initially very infatuated with the color color in the photo below, but have since tired of it in such a large quantity.  I still continue to tone my backgrounds with it.  The photo above reflects the new background color.

 I practically had to fight the birds and bees around the sunflowers on the roof to gain access to the flowers.  

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1066-the-birds-and-the-beads/925152

1065 Twinkle Twinkle

 I don't know what these flowers are called, possibly a relative to a Million Bells, but they have such happy faces and a brilliant magenta color, that I can't help but pause and be thankful that they exist in my garden.

Today is Day 2 of the Strada Easel September 30-Day Challenge.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1065-twinkle-twinkle/924787

1026 Distant Cousin

 Having a soft spot for black and white stripes and polka dots, I was thrilled to find the two black and white cups and saucers in Florida.  The composition was a bit tricky, but the addition of the die made me feel better about it. 

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1026-distant-cousin/870639

Follow me on Instagram:  /paint_dmc

969 The Gift of Friendship

I have a dear friend--also named Diane, in Milwaukee who was my neighbor for 29 years before we moved to Chicago.  She and I would use this same box, ribbon and tissue inside to pass gifts to each other at birthdays, etc.  The gift was always quietly left at the back door,  welcomed with a warm smile.  I sure miss her, but ha ha, I'm the one who ended up with the box.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/969-the-gift-of-friendship/802220

838 Bloom Where You Are Planted

Happy New Year to all of you!

I received this amaryllis bulb at my Garden Club holiday gift exchange.   I was delighted to receive this bulb because of its unique growing technique---no dirt, no water, just put it somewhere where it will receive light.  Apparently, this is a new variety of amaryllis, and what could be easier?  It has produced four beautiful flowers on one stem and every day is a new visual experience. There is another stem which changes each day but it is now at the exact height of the blooms, so it will be interesting to see what happens next.

I set out to paint the beautiful blooms, but didn't want to tackle the bulb, and I didn't think just the stems and flowers would be interesting, so I propped it up first behind this black and white vase, thinking I could paint it seemingly IN the vase, but that didn't please me.  I took a risk with the vase in the background, and despite input from my best critic, I like it.  One of my goals for the new year is to be more of a risk-taker and to not labor over my painting, which will definitely be a challenge.

I am REALLY stretching myself by taking another online class on painting  "The Floral Portrait." After spending several hours over two days reading materials and watching several videos just in preparation for the first class, I have that sinking feeling of "Oh,  what have I done?"  I will be painting with water soluble oil paints, which I am far from competent at, but in line with the above-mentioned goal, I know I will learn a lot.  I will keep you posted.

"838 Bloom Where You Are Planted"
acrylic - 12x9 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/838-bloom-where-you-are-planted/543480

678 Door County Treasure

During our recent visit to Door County, I discovered a new gallery, Off the Wheel Pottery.  I visited it three days in a row because I had such a difficult time deciding what to buy, wanting a lot more than my budget would allow.  The gallery is owned by a very talented Renee' Schwaller, whose work is creative and unique from the typical pottery you see around town.  I purchased three little vases made by Renee's former intern, Courtney Hancock, in sgraffito style, which means "scratch" in Italian.  The colored slip (clay) is carved away to leave the design image.  My blue bowls were made by Jean Smaglik Wells, Milwaukee, also using this technique.  I couldn't be happier to find these little treasures.  You can expect to see this and the other two vases in many future paintings.  The nasturtium is from my garden.

"678 Door County Treasure"
acrylic - 8x6 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/678-door-county-treasure/408200

508 Revisiting Bob the Bull

I was requested to paint a large version of Bob the Bull for a gallery, so here he is.  Off to the framer on Monday. 

366 Simplicity