656 Rebellious

"656 Rebellious"
acrylic - 6x8 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/656-rebellious/398501

617 Celebrate Friendship

I could have called this painting "Blubbering" because that's what I did when I received this floral delivery today.  I was so surprised and touched by this thoughtful gesture from a dear friend, who sent me this arrangement to celebrate my art showing at a favorite gallery.  I took artistic liberties to paint it in one of my blue and white bowls in official celebration of this special weekend.   I am nervous and excited, and I certainly feel loved by the overwhelming outpouring of good wishes and kind gestures.  It is all very humbling, touching and .....I don't even have the words.  It's a wonderful feeling. 

614 On the Outs

This is probably the last of the Indian eggplant paintings.  I hope to make a visit to Whole Foods this weekend to look for cherries as I will soon be in Door County to celebrate my acceptance at the Edgewood Orchard Galleries,  and cherries are very important to Door County.

There is a "rule" in painting that objects should not 'kiss," but I love the negative space created by this kissing thing, and in the case of objects leaning against one another, I think it's got to be "legal" and if not, I'm breaking the rules anyway.  So there.

"614 On the Outs"
acrylic - 8x6 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/614-on-the-outs/385239

598 Bringing Spring In

Last weekend I bought 2 flats of pansies but it has been too darn cold to go out and garden.  So I just brought some indoors to paint.  Pansies are so sweet and simply say "happy."

592 Forsythia and a Polka Dot Bowl

I know the bowl looks a little off kilter, but it is a hand made bowl and it IS off kilter.
The color yellow is my least favorite color to paint, especially in flowers.  It is very difficult to get it right, despite my "special" paint colors.  The forsythias in my studio are a joy to behold.

557 Overcrowded

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/557-overcrowded/336622

548 Flaunted

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/548-flaunted/333315

546 Hanging Out Together

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/546-hanging-out-together/332353

544 Simply Divine

It took me all day to think of the right title for this painting.  I had many perfect titles, but all had been previously used for other paintings.  I woke up from a little catnap and this one hit me!

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/544-simply-divine/331523

543 Backbend

Today I visited with a gallery owner I know and while I was there, a very disheveled looking man--- a presumably unlikely gallery visitor---with several plastic grocery shopping bags entered the gallery, removed his shoes, and approached the owner.  She greeted him by name and went to the back room where she retrieved a bag, and handed it to him.  There was a nice, yet short conversation, which included him telling a joke.  He thanked her, and then left.

The lesson that I already knew but was reinforced today is "Don't judge a book by its cover."  Turns out this man is an art junkie, and spends a LOT of money in her gallery each year.

What followed was a discussion of how people discriminate against one another because of appearances or other perceived differences.  It was a very nice visit with the gallery owner today, as usual. 

I am reminded of an experience I had at another art gallery several months ago.  I went expressly to see an exhibit of still lifes, and was barely acknowledged by the gallery attendant when I entered and when I asked a question about a painting.  At the end of my visit, she was rude and dismissed me when I asked a question about the process for acquiring new artists.  I felt so terrible when I left that gallery that I don't want to go back.

I just don't understand why people can't be nice. 

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/543-backbend/331311 

539 Stealing the Show

My garden club held it's annual Chinese Tea Tasting on Saturday with 80 people attending.  Our centerpieces for the tables included a moss ball with jade plant, rocks, and a single cymbidium orchid.  Each stem of the orchid has approximately 15-20 flowers, which are exquisite.  I am enjoying the few that didn't sell and couldn't resist placing one in my still life.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/539-stealing-the-show/330111

437 For Pie

My favorite apple, the McIntosh, along with Jonathans make a great pie, in my opinion.
It was also the inspiration for the name of Apple's personal computers, also my favorite.

536 Meyer Lemons

The other day, I was at our local grocery store, and as usual, I spent a lot of time in the produce department.  I must have looked suspicious, because as I was slowly and carefully looking for the perfect vegetables/fruit, the produce manager approached me:
She asked,  "Can I HELP you?"
I replied, "No, but thank you."
She, "Did you have any questions?"
My reply, "Nope."

I have never tasted a Meyer lemon, but I was curious about them, so I bought a package.  I learned from an internet site that they are thought to be a cross between either a Eureka or Lisbon lemon and a mandarin orange, and they take on a sightly yellow-orange color.  The skin seems to be much thinner than a common lemon or orange.  They are supposedly sweeter than a lemon, and often used to make lemon pies.  My mother used to make a highly coveted lemon meringue pie.  I wonder if she used Meyer Lemons. Sadly all of her recipes are gone.

p.s.  The blue in this bowl is not screaming as it appears in this picture.

535 After Dinner

I recently learned that mandarin oranges are used to cleanse the palette after a meal.  My garden club is holding a Chinese Tea Tasting next weekend to celebrate the Chinese New Year, and we will be serving them after tea sandwiches and cookies.

522 Cuties in the Oak Leaf Bowl

My oak leaf bowl has housed an overflowing Vitamin C supply for the last several days.  I've been trying to rid myself of a miserable cold, so the pile has dwindled quite a bit.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/522-cuties-in-the-oak-leaf-bowl/298712

506. Persimmons in a Blue and White Bowl

My Jean Wells bowl is getting quite a showing.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/506--persimmons-in-a-blue-and-white-bowl/293068

Yesterday Jean delivered my order of her meticulously crafted pottery.  Some people in my family will be happy to receive it.  (Shhhh....)  She has changed directions on her designs to appeal more to the "modern" set.   Check out her work at her Etsy store here: 
https://www.etsy.com/shop/jeansclaystudio.com

Here sugar skull mugs are now sold at Colectivo Coffee.  Very cool.

504 Thoughtful Gift

These persimmons were given to me as a gift from a friend after I mentioned that I have never painted persimmons from life.  They are such a beautiful fruit and I think look very much at home in my blue and white Jean Wells bowl.

It felt so good to paint again today after a week off, not by choice, but because there aren't enough hours in the day.  I am feeling very grateful and humble at the response to my 500th Painting open house celebration last week.  It was particularly rewarding for me to have Jean Wells visit and approve of my paintings of her beautiful bowls.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/504-thoughtful-gift/292781

477 Delicata, Kohlrabi and Bok Choy

More beautiful and delicious vegetables from Springdale Farm.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/477-delicata-kohlrabi-and-bok-choy/273142

www.dianecampion.blogspot.com

461 Acorns in an Oak Leaf Bowl

Corny?  Cliche?  I know, I know.  I just couldn't resist when I found the first acorns of Autumn on my walk with Oliver.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/461-acorns-in-an-oak-leaf-bowl/259129

456 Dressed Up

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/456-dressed-up/257614