833 Blessings

I learned a lot about pomegranates while trying to come up with a title for this painting.  There are many blessings associated with this exotic fruit, which is given as a gift in many cultures--- abundance, good luck, prosperity, ambition, happiness, but most frequently fertility (Ancient Persia, today's Iran, India, China, Armenia, Greece).  Not only is the pomegranate beautiful, it has many health benefits.   It is a popular ingredient in a lot of Middle Eastern recipes, although I don't recall my Mother cooking with its syrup or seeds.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/833-blessings/532288

832 Bursting With Joy

The first time ever I saw a pomegranate growing on a tree was in 2008 in southern Lebanon in a small village called Marjeyoun.  I was "bursting with joy" that I was standing in the village where my ancestors originated.  It is a beautiful place and I felt a very strong connection there.  As a child, it was a real treat to have a fresh pomegranate, so being there stirred many emotions.

Very recently, I had a delightful visit with my contact at ANERA (American Near East Refugee Assistance).  I've written about all the good work they do in Lebanon and Palestine to make the lives of refugee families better.  She brought me a beautiful gift, a glass pomegranate from the Hebron Glass and Ceramics Factory.  "There once were 14 glass factories in Hebron.  Now there are only two due to problems of export, a decrease in tourism and restrictions on Palestinian movement."  The owner's family has been blowing glass for 700 years!  It is indeed a treasure for many reasons.

In other news, I finished the commissioned quilt!!  At approximately 106 x 124" it is the largest quilt I've ever made and the recipient is delighted!  She deserves most of the credit as she picked the fabrics and the design of the quilt, and all I did was execute it!

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/832-bursting-with-joy/531923

515 Pom on a Pedestal

I love painting just about everything that is red, and I love pomegranates.  I'm sure I will paint it again and again at some point.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/515-pom-on-a-pedestal/296704

514 Tilted

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/514-tilted/296510