677 Was It Something I Said?

When these tomatillos showed up in the farm box, I had no idea what to do with them other than to include them in a still life.  The farmers sent a recipe for salsa verde, but I haven't made it yet.  They are part of the tomato family, but I have a feeling they taste very different from tomatoes.  I know this isn't my best work, but I really liked the title.

"677 Was It Something I Said?"
acrylic - 5x7 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/677-was-it-something-i-said/407938

565 Anticipation

Weather here in Milwaukee has been mild and Spring-like with temps in the 40s and 50s. Snow is melting and it is a mud bath for Oliver.  I love the sounds of the birds, and am so excited about the Great Horned Owls who are nesting in a willow tree in our semi-urban neighborhood.
Hoo-ooo-ca- CHOO.  Estimates are that babies were born last week and Mama is glued to the nest, so every day is a new adventure.  I am dreaming of Spring and Summer as are most folks here---"sick of winter."  On close inspection, I saw hostas starting to poke through ground that is not covered in snow.  

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/565-anticipation/349380

 

505 Persimmon Trio

I enjoy painting these beautiful persimmons and hope they last many days' worth of paintings.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/505-persimmon-trio/293002

Sunsets are beautiful to watch, but I think very difficult to paint.  You just can't improve on something so beautiful.  Our family recently spent several days on Captiva, Florida, where the sunsets are magnificent.  People line the beaches just to see each evening's performance.  It is reported that some see a bright green speck just before the sun sets, but unfortunately we did not see it.


http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/501-captiva-sunset/290524

496 Shapely

I am clinging to all the color I can get before the grey days are here for good.  The leaves will soon  be gone from the trees. 

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/496-shapely/289199

488 Nestled In

These peppers came in yesterday's farm box.  The green peppers are changing color by the minute, so tomorrow I may have a completely different still life.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/488-nestled-in/275601

464 Tipping Point

Did I mention I have an oak leaf mug, too???

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/464-tipping-point/260046

415 Locally Grown and Perfect

This beautiful tomato was locally grown at Springdale Farm, and part of our weekly CSA box of vegetables (yes, I know tomatoes are technically a fruit).  It was delicious. 

393 Deluxe Accommodations

Mother/father birds are very resourceful when building their nests.  I love to see the found objects they use.  We once knew a woman who left her thread and yarn snippets out for the birds.

Barbara Tester took the photo reference for this painting.  It is not known how the blue fiber became a part of this nest, but the eggs had a cushy little room, hence the title. 

To be directed to Daily Paintworks and all 393 of my daily paintings, or to purchase, click here: 
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/393-deluxe-accommodations/239453

388 Peek-a-Boo

 I have always enjoyed painting textures---wood, rust, etc. so this was a very enjoyable painting experience.  I seem to have more difficulty than most getting the color yellow to show up as painted.  I have tried many different ways to correct it, but I'm baffled.  The yellow on the bird is actually a little more lemon colored. 

Thanks to Nicole B for generously sharing the beautiful photo reference for this painting.  I just love it.

To purchase or be directed to Daily Paintworks, click here: 
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/388-peek-a-boo/238317

386 Another Full House

Once again, credit is due to Eugene for sharing his beautiful photo with me.  After painting with watercolors yesterday,  I wanted to paint it with acrylics to see which I felt better represented the subject. 

Here is the link to purchase and to be directed to the Daily Paintworks site.  http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/386-another-full-house/237473

298 Cheerful

287. AHA Moment

286. Deeper In

Another view of Peninsula State Park in Door County, Wisconsin.  Have you seen the bumper sticker that says:  "I brake for garage sales" ?  I brake for shadows (in the snow) and I'm sure people think I'm a little crazy.

285. Somewhere in Lebanon

283. Straight On

Another Door County scene from Peninsula State Park on a sunny January day.

282. Dancing Shadows

Winter shadows at Peninsula State Park, Door County, Wisconsin. 

281. Shadows in the Forest

This is a scene from Door County, a beautiful place all year round.  We visited there last January, and this is the view of the woods at the Peninsula State Park we saw out our door. 

277. Pines in the Foreground and Background

I never seem to tire of painting these pine trees.  For those of you who have not heard the story of them, I will explain.  In 2008, my daughter and I visited a village in Lebanon called Marjeyoun, the land of my ancestors.  As we maneuvered the winding roads, I noticed a line of pine trees that took my breath away.  It consisted of hundreds of pine trees like I had never seen before.  Fast forward three years to our second visit to the same village.  I commented to our family that I love these trees and have tried to paint them many times, unsuccessfully.  Our cousin then told me that her father planted those trees so they could have pine nuts readily available.  I was so touched to learn that these beautiful trees had been planted by my cousin in the land where my father's family originated and was determined to paint them to my enjoyment and satisfaction. 

In painting these trees, I am focusing on negative space, economy of strokes and am not referring to the photo after the initial sketch, which is challenging.

276. Behind the Row, Revisited