665 Changing

The hydrangeas which used to be pink are now changing to a muted green, which was hard to capture.  I didn't really think this painting through, and I think it shows.  I just love the hydrangeas.

"665 Changing"
acrylic - 6x8 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/665-changing/403973

659 Old Fashioned

More of Vicki's beautiful hollyhocks.  They are all beautiful!

"659 Old Fashioned"
acrylic - 8x6 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/659-old-fashioned/399197

657 Reminiscence

My neighbor, Vicki is a fabulous gardener and I just realized today that she has hollyhocks growing in her garden!  Hollyhocks remind me of my childhood as we had them growing so tall in the alley behind our house when I was growing up.  I remember the bees especially liked their nectar.  Their beauty has stood the test of time.

Side note:  I painted this entire painting upside down.  Don't ask me how that happened, I don't even know, but it did.  I just know that I signed it and something felt wrong....could be that the pollen defied gravity. 

"657 Reminiscence"
acrylic - 8x6 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/657-reminiscence/398743

652 Karen's Lilies

My neighbors across the street have a beautiful rain garden.  Something is always blooming, except in Winter, of course.  Karen loves the color orange, and so do I. 

"652 Karen's Lilies"
acrylic - 7x5 in
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/652-karens-lilies/397185

643 Neighborly

We have THE best neighbors across the street.  They are so kind and loving, and I have become quite fond of their two children.  Every year, they go strawberry and sugar snap pea picking, and always bring some for us to enjoy.  There is nothing like a fresh picked strawberry!  The peas were eaten within 10 minutes and the painting was started right away.  I miss the days when we would go strawberry/apple/raspberry/peach picking with our kids and good friends.

"643 Neighborly"
acrylic - 6x6 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/643-neighborly/394077

629 Welcome to Edgewood Orchard Gallery

Edgewood Orchard Gallery in Fish Creek, Door County Wisconsin welcomes you with beautiful flowers and a sculpture garden that is beyond anyone's imagination. 

610 Happy Little Signs of Spring

Many thanks to Kari Snick for allowing me to use her photograph of this happy little vignette.  I notice that one of the eggs has a crack in it, so I wonder if the eggs have hatched.

In Owl Patrol news, this afternoon I heard loud squawking coming from the tree where the owls were last seen.  Out my kitchen window, I sawe lots of wing-flapping during this raid.  It made me so sad to see two nasty crows diving on the owls so  I went outside and CAW CAWed at them a few times, hoping to shoo them away.  One left and the other followed a few seconds later.   I was relieved. 

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/610-happy-little-signs-of-spring/374236

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

 

447 Welcome

Two interesting things happened yesterday.  Okay, not all that interesting.  My paints and gear are all packed away for a plein air painting trip and fortunately I found this half finished painting.  I began painting it at my dearest friend's kitchen table during a recent visit to the Boston area.  She is always so thoughtful, welcoming me with flowers and a loving heart (and lots of tolerance).  So #1 good fortune is that I have something to finish and post today.

Since I didn't have sunflowers and statice readily available as references, I Googled "sunflowers and statice."  As I scrolled through many beautiful photographs of these flowers, I ran across one of my paintings, 154 Mixed Bouquet, http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/154-mixed-bouquet/166187.  It was such a surprise that I didn't know what to think, but I was happy that there was a link to my painting readily available and credit given. 

Not sure what all that means, other than "small gifts" that make a person happy. 

430 Prairie

I am gearing up for plein air painting.  Soon I will be participating in an organized corporate plein air event, and I am rather nervous about it as I am not very familiar with the area, nor have I ever participated in an event where a painting must be completed and framed in one timed session (other than DPW, which is similar but not the same).  I have been on several plein air painting trips, but there is no pressure to complete a painting in one day, when in fact, they are almost always completed in the studio.

I am up for the challenge, but decided I better paint a few landscapes before the big day.  Here is my first.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/430-prairie/249300

409 Gladiolas

I am very fond of gladiolas because a favorite aunt grew them each year in one of her beautiful gardens.  She included them in expertly crafted flower arrangements throughout the house.  It always felt special to visit there---something I did for10 summers.  I know I did not do these flowers justice, partly because I spent too much time researching and categorizing my feather collection, which continues to grow, and not enough time painting.  I painted these from real life, and found them difficult to manage. 

364 Cheek to Cheek

361 Violas

302. Flip

This is another little arrangement I made from Trader Joe's flowers.  I love the snapdragons and the little flip they create. 

159 Trailing

124 Suzanne's Garden

My neighbor Suzanne has a beautiful front garden that the hummingbirds, bees and butterflies love to visit.  Pictured here are echinacea and bee balm.  One cannot help but stop to observe these little winged creatures, which are very elusive when the camera is ready.

114 Two Lilies and a Bud in a Van Briggle Vase

109. Market Bouquet, Long Lasting

Although all the other flowers are withered and gone, the sunflowers and statice are still fresh and beautiful on this 6th day after purchase.

107. Market Bouquet: a Sunflower and Two Glads

105. Market Bouquet

This bouquet from the farmer's market has such a beautiful variety of flowers, and gives me many opportunities for paintings.  This one includes a sunflower (actually two), red gladiolas and purple statice.