416 Tomato Duo

I have enjoyed this series of paintings and have learned a lot in the process.  It has been enlightening to set the objects in many different compositions to see what works and what doesn't.  This bowl, the only consistent object,  has gotten a lot of "press."  The artist is Jean Smaglik Wells and her work is beautiful. 

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. 

414 Hide Out

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/414-hide-out/244682
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413 Lemons and Pearls

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/413-lemons-and-pearls/244443

412 Outcast

Once again, yellow is not my friend.  It doesn't scan or photograph well.  The lemon on the right is not as orange as it appears on my monitor.  I enjoyed setting up the still life and painting it.  The bowl is a favorite, hand made by a local artist,  Jean Smaglik Wells.  I have several of her beautiful pieces.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/412-outcast/244315

411 Pearl Onions in the Spotlight

I really enjoyed painting the mandarin oranges from a copyright-free photograph, and was curious to try to recreate the conditions that produced the reflections of the oranges.  I experimented with set ups to try to accomplish the same effect.  I was happy to see these pearl onions in my farm box this week and spent a lot of time arranging different items to achieve the desired effect.

People often ask me how long it takes to paint a daily painting.  A gallery owner advised me to say
"61 years" (my age) because it took me this long to get to this place.  But truth be told, there is so much research that goes into a painting, and no one ever sees that.  First comes the idea, the research, then experimenting with the set up, the sketching and developing the color palette. Analyzing whether what you want to paint will translate into a painting takes time, as well as a gazillion other factors.  Then, of course, the actual painting, the photographing, the title, the posting to blog, etc.

I am very lucky to be able to do what I love at this time in my life.  I am a happy person when I can devote the necessary time to become a better painter.

This is a longer post than usual.  I apologize if it is more than desired.  I am exploding with creative ideas and possibilities.  Thank you for your patience, support and encouragement.  It is very much appreciated.
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410 Bonus

We belong to a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) where we get a box of farm fresh vegetables and eggs each week throughout the spring, summer and fall.  Imagine my surprise AND delight when my eggs came with a bonus feather!

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/410-bonus/243714

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. 

408 Mismatched

I am sure none of these items technically belong together, but according to artistic license I can put a cardinal egg with a different bird feather and a nest I don't know was built for whom, but I enjoyed painting it nonetheless.   

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/408-mismatched/243288

407 Wingspan

This painting is currently on 11 x 15" paper, but will be sewn on to a larger paper and matted.  I will update the photo  as soon as possible.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/407-wingspan/243063

406 Cheer

405 Mandarins

I have really missed painting these last few days.  This felt very good.

404 Aerodynamic

When I return home from the holiday, the painting will be sewn on to watercolor paper and matted.  I will post an updated picture when complete.

"Ceremonial"

Happy Independence Day!  I didn't paint today, July 3,  but I did work on an exciting new scrap quilt in the "Trip Around the World" pattern,  modeled after one I recently saw at the International Quilt Festival in Chicago .  It is very challenging, but captivating. 

This painting, "Ceremonial" is one I recently completed.  It measures 16" x 40" and is on gallery wrapped canvas, unframed.  The reference photo was taken during one of our trips to New Mexico.  The jar in the middle is a Pueblo wedding vessel.  The two spouts connected by the single handle signify the two lives being joined as one in marriage.

Through my research I learned the following:  Typically the wedding vases are made a week or two before the wedding by the groom's parents.  When the vase is finished, the groom and his parents and other family members present it to the bride in her family home.  She then gathers all her belongings needed to begin her new life with her husband, and both sets of parents give them advice for a happy and successful marriage.  Indian holy water is then placed in the vase, which is turned and offered to the bride.  She drinks from one spout, and the groom drinks from the other.  This ritual unites them as a married couple.

These vases are treasured by the married couple for the extent of their lives.  If one outlives the other, it is tradition to present the wedding vase as a gift to another couple as a way to celebrate their married lives together.

I am very happy with this painting as it honors a beautiful tradition and brings back memories of a wonderful trip.  I also love that the fence in the background is called a "coyote fence." 

403 One Black Feather

This is probably a crow feather, but it has such beautiful blue black/black shimmer to it.  I felt it was important enough to be painted all by itself.

402 Gifts From a Friend

401 Summer Romance

Nothing says "summer" like fresh juicy tomatoes and watermellon.  I love both of them, especially  tomatoes--can't get enough of them.  There is also a salad made with both ingredients, which I have never tried.

400 Overimprovement

My friend Ann gave me this beautiful nest, egg and feather.  It has so much going on in it--clever builders used a variety of interesting materials, including insulation (styrofoam).
I enjoyed painting it and may attempt it again in a more abstract way.

Click here to purchase or to be directed to the Daily Paintworks site:
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/400-overimprovement/241178

Life is a Bowl of .... Strawberries

A wonderful friend/mentor/teacher advises "Never fall in love with your painting....it is the kiss of death."  I have kept that advice in mind with each and every new painting, hearing her voice speaking the works.  I "really like" this painting, although I am so frustrated with the photographing/scanning process.  The image I see just doesn't do it justice.  The strawberries have so many beautiful reds/oranges and the background is my nemesis color, in the YELLOW family. 

These are the strawberries my neighbor picked for us.  They are long gone and I didn't share them with my husband.  HUH!

398 Succulent

Strawberry picking used to be an annual event for our family.  Now that the kids are grown, we don't seem to make the effort.  Some really sweet neighbors always pick extra strawberries and sugar snap peas for us, and what a treat!  I had to restrain myself from eating all the strawberries for my still life photos!   The lovely community of Cedarburg, Wisconsin has a strawberry festival this weekend, which is a really big deal.

To visit my Daily Paintworks site or to purchase this painting, click here: 
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/398-succulent/240835