1259. Thinking of You

Flowers are an important part of my life.  They make challenging times better and happy times happier.  Having flowers in my home makes it a much more welcoming place.  I was raised with vegetable and flower gardens from early childhood and came to appreciate not only the work that goes into those gardens, but the pride and challenges and many rewards.  Every summer for all of my childhood, I spent my school vacation living with my aunts and uncles.  I learned about gardening and grew to appreciate every aspect of it,  My aunt was  president of her Garden Club, and always had fresh flowers that she grew and arranged in gorgeous displays for the house.  I always say she was Martha Stewart before Martha Stewart. 

I grew to need flowers in my yard and in my house.  My husband buys flowers for me every week and includes a note with something pertinent to that week.  I have a shoebox full of those cards to mark our many many years and events together.  

Many thanks to La Terre Market for the photo inspiration.  

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1259-thinking-of-you/1146661

1258. Love

 We had to say goodbye to our best buddy, Oliver on October 21.  He was 14 years old, but still acted like a puppy until recently.  It has been a very painful loss.  When someone looks at you like this every single day, you feel loved.  

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1258-love/1145569

1257. Deep in My Heart

 https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1257-deep-in-my-heart/1145025

1256. A Gentleman and a Scholar

 I've been working on this painting for a couple of weeks, but until today, I couldn't come up with a title.  Today, I knew the title had to be in honor and memory of my friend who passed away yesterday.  He was both of my kids' fifth grade teacher.  I was his first parent volunteer in the classroom beginning in 1993, even though he had been teaching for many, many years, and I stayed there long after my kids graduated high school until he retired.  He was a most loved teacher who literally changed lives, according to the many kids-now-adults who credit him with that honor.  His peers at school loved and respected him.  I was privileged to witness him in action in the classroom.  I never heard him raise his voice, but he knew how to approach the unruly fifth grader.  In spare time, he showed his students classic movies like South Pacific.  He had a period every so often where he read from books to the kids, complete with the characters' voices.  Also memorable,  the kids were told they could NOT work on schoolwork, but were encouraged to doodle.  And then there was the green couch that everyone wanted to hang out on.  After some time, I was trusted with correcting some student work.  He treated the kids with such respect and high expectations and they rose to the occasion.  

Every year on my birthday, up until this past February,  I received flowers from this generous man.  My kids and  husband got cards with a little something included and this message: "Have a drink on me."  After Thanksgiving I would receive a poinsettia.  EVERY YEAR. 

I was so lucky to know this man and I will miss him.  "You're a real prince, George Hanneman, a gentleman and a scholar"  J.D. Salinger, Catcher in the Rye.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1256-a-gentleman-and-a-scholar/1143732

1255. Just Peachy

 I painted this once before in a different color way and more realistic.  I'm happy with this one.

It's available for purchase.  Contact me if interested.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1255-just-peachy/1142987

 

1254. Deep in Thought

 I spent a few hours at the Chicago Botanical Gardens this week and made a special point to look closely in the Rose Garden.  There are so many beautiful roses there.  I came home and made several changes to the roses in the painting.  "Research."

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1254-deep-in-thought/1141887

1253. An All Day Affair

 Trying to loosen up.  Will keep trying.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1253--an-all-day-affair/1141183