935 Happy Every Which Way

I'm getting a lot of mileage out of my rooftop garden of nasturtiums, an edible flower and leaves.  They are such a happy flower.  The vase is a favorite from Off the Wheel Pottery in Door County, and was made using the sgraffito method.

I really enjoyed setting this scene up in my studio, although the nasturtiums are a little hard to manage.

I wonder if you are tired of seeing nasturtiums.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/935-happy-every-which-way/756210

934 Rooftop Garden

I grew the nasturtiums on my rooftop garden.  They like the full sun and are rather shy, preferring not to be fussed over.  They are such a happy flower, and edible too, with a peppery taste.

I've been working mostly with oil paints this summer, trying desperately to master them.  Not sure I'm succeeding, but I love a good challenge.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/934-rooftop-garden/755909

933 Gifted by Maidens

In the last couple of years, I've gone crazy for Nasturtiums, an edible flower that is fairly easy to grow.  Last year, I watered them too much and they did not do well--it seems they prefer to be ignored.  The ones in this painting are from this year's rooftop garden, and they greet me with a big splash of beautiful colors---red, orange and yellow---each time I hoof it up the stairs to the roof.  The cup was a thank you gift from a neighbor friend, and is from Door County.  What I love about Nasturtiums is their wild and crazy growth, and the sweetness of their leaves in so many sizes from large to teeny-tiny.

I always like to learn a little something about my subject, so here is what I learned about Nasturtiums.
Copied from www.exoticflowers.com:

"As for the symbolism behind nasturtiums, the blossom is known for meaning “patriotism” and “conquest”.  We’re not sure why exactly but the flower has strong ties to combat and war, perhaps because of its shocking color of orange and red or maybe because the shape of the foliage resembles the appearance of a shield.  Whatever the reason, soldiers customarily wore nasturtiums as a sign of victory, which were gifted to them by maidens.  Large blankets of flower heads were also woven to make blankets and cloaks for those who successfully won a difficult battle.  Today, the nasturtium resonates towards a “happy” theme and has also become an emblem for the warm summer months of July and August. " 

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/933-gifted-by-maidens/753485

931 Springtime, Michigan Avenue

One of the things I love about Chicago is the ever-changing public gardens in the city.  Michigan Avenue is so beautiful, with unique displays changing with the seasons.  Springtime gardens are shocked with colorful tulips, and it is not unusual for people to stand in the middle of the boulevard to photograph them, as I did this past May.

I'm still getting acquainted with the oil paints, which force me to loosen up.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/931-springtime-michigan-avenue/752519

930 Lavender Fields and 932 Lavender Fields, Too

While I normally paint only from photos I have taken, once in awhile I see a photo a friend has posted and request permission to paint.  My friend, Marlene took this scene's photo while on Washington Island, Door County Wisconsin and posted it on Facebook.  Thank you Marlene for the beautiful photo and permission.

After painting the billiard balls, I needed to paint something a little looser.  A ho-hum response from my (color blind) critic in residence encouraged a second try.  Which do you like better?
Let's see if we agree.

930 was painted with acrylic, 931 was painted with oil.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/930-lavender-fields-and-932-lavender-fields-too/751368

929 Out of Pocket 3

It's always fun for me to find colorful collections to paint, and old billiard balls certainly fall into that category.  This one is 8" x 8" and painted with acrylic paints.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/929-out-of-pocket-3/750229

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928 Pucker Up

A visit to Door County is not complete without a visit to see Renee Schwaller, potter and proprietress of Off the Wheel Pottery in Egg Harbor, Wisconsin  http://www.offthewheelpottery.com/
Renee is one of those people you are instantly drawn too, and she's a very talented artist.  I love all the pieces I've collected from her shop, including this new bowl, which features birds and the scraffitto style I love so much.  I set up this still life with natural light and enjoyed putting it together, which is often the most challenging part of a painting.  I hope you like it.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/928-pucker-up/749500