1286. Purple Prickly Pear

 I find the color purple to be "difficult" along with its compliment yellow.  It can be warm or cool.  This cactus has both.  I love that the buds look like little toes.  HA!

1285. Elusive

 

This is the fourth commissioned painting of a Saguaro Cactus for a home in Scottsdale.   Its blooms are the Arizona state flower and they only last one day, so one must be in the right place at the right time.  

I especially enjoyed painting this challenger.  It took concentration to get the ridges correct, and I guess I got carried away with the prickles, but that was fun too.  

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1285-elusive/1188315

1284. Cactus Beauty

 This is painting number 3 of 6 in the commissioned series of cactus flowers.  They will soon be traveling to their new home in Scottsdale.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1284-cactus-beauty/1188063

1283. Desert Beauty

 This is the second of six paintings commissioned for a family for their Scottsdale home.  It's one of my favorites.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1283-desert-beauty/1187611

1282. Hug Me Not

 This is the first of six large paintings commissioned for clients for their home in Scottsdale.  It was an exciting challenge because I knew nothing about cacti, had no exposure to cacti, and cacti with flowers aren't anywhere to be found here in Chicago.  Spending hours upon hours looking for images without copyright restrictions was definitely a challenge. Drawing the specific flower to match the specific cacti was also a challenge.  I found it sometimes frustrating, but often exciting.  I don't really think most people know what goes into the work even before the brushes hit the paint, and therefore you can't really appreciate the joys upon completion.  

  https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1282-hug-me-not/1187421

1281. Red

 

This is a re-do of an ugly painting I made years ago in an attempt to paint an abstract.   It is an acrylic 40 x 40", which is a challenging size.  Sometimes we need "company coming" to nudge us to complete projects like this.  Its in a room with lots going on and this is perfectly subtle addition to the room.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1281-red/1185688

1280. Did Someone Say Rabbit?

 Our dear friends and their adult kids have had several Golden Retrievers, and have been involved with Yankee Golden Rescue for many years.  Goldens are such great dogs, and Odie was no exception.  He was loyal, very well mannered and certainly well loved.  He would sit in front of the glass patio doors patiently waiting for rabbits to hop by.  Odie had a seizure disorder and left this world too soon.  He will be missed along with all the others this family have had as part of their family.  Rest in peace, Odie.

Many artists I know cringe at the thought of painting pet portraits.  I enjoy them, possibly because I am a dog lover and treasure the memories of the animals I have loved.  I've painted approximately 55 pet portraits, mostly dogs, many of whom have died.  The paintings are treasures to the people who have lost their loyal friends, including mine.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1280-did-someone-say-rabbit/1180867