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

Red and White Hollyhocks

This summer has been one of experimentation with new media and techniques.  This painting is an oil painting, and it took so many tries and several months to get it to where I am happy and proud to post.  I have been considering that it may be time to give up the struggle with oil paints, but then I went to an art fair today.  I visited with a man whose portraits I admire, in fact I approached him several months ago to inquire if he gives classes (he does not).  So I introduced myself to him and we conversed.   He gave me some good tips.  He was mortified that I normally paint with acrylics.  He also hated the idea of me painting with water soluble oils.  After several minutes of conversation, he had a sale.  We agreed to be (Facebook) friends.   I guess I'll keep thinking on this.

"Red and White Hollyhocks"
oil - 24x12 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/red-and-white-hollyhocks/511533

dianecampion.blogspot.com

811 Hollyhocks

A friend posted a beautiful photo of her hollyhocks and gave me permission to paint them.  I struggled with this as I do with most things yellow.  I wonder if other artists have difficulty getting a certain color right.

Many thanks to Jeanne O'Dean-Wotnoske for the great photo.

"811 Hollyhocks"
watercolor - 16x10.5 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/811-hollyhocks/501405

765 Cottage Charm

I remember hollyhocks from my childhood growing up in Detroit.  Tall stocks of hollyhocks lined the alley behind our house, and I remember being afraid of all the bees that swarmed the beautiful flowers.  Now I think of them mostly as an old fashioned cottage flower, as many Door County gardens feature them in their gardens.  I wish I had a sunny spot for them in my yard, but I can always visit my neighbor's hollyhock garden just down the street.

"765 Cottage Charm"
oil - 24x12 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/765-cottage-charm/440713
dianecampion.blogspot.com

659 Old Fashioned

More of Vicki's beautiful hollyhocks.  They are all beautiful!

"659 Old Fashioned"
acrylic - 8x6 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/659-old-fashioned/399197

658 Vicki's Hollyhocks

I've really REALLY enjoyed painting these hollyhocks, and I am sure there is at least one more painting in my future.  There are so many exciting learning opportunities to paint the lights and the shadows caused by the bend of the delicate petals.

Vicki has them in such a perfect place for passers-by to see in her cottage style gardens---simply beautiful!

"658 Vicki's Hollyhocks"
acrylic - 8x6 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/658-vickis-hollyhocks/398998

125 Robert's Hollyhocks

My neighbor, Robert, has a beautiful garden and this year I noticed he is growing hollyhocks in the loveliest shades of peachy pink.  Up against his stone house with turquoise trim, they were begging to be painted.  Hollyhocks (Alcea), a classic cottage garden flower, seem to remind everyone of their childhood, and I'm no exception.  As a small child, hollyhocks grew in the alley near our house and although I loved the tall flowers which towered over me, I was very afraid of the bees who loved them too. There is much more to hollyhocks than just pretty faces, with modern Japanese cultural significance, in addition to a professional soccer club named after them.