A Good Day

A Good Day, 8 x 8, Oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2023

SOLD

Some days are just GOOD. And I am so grateful for those days! A friend of mine recently reminded me how easy it is to miss that goodness. Maybe it's because life is full of challenges and maybe we just aren't paying close enough attention. It can take intentionality to find the good, but it is SUCH a better perspective when we do! Thank you for the reminder, SS!

2023 SPRING WORKSHOPS (click HERE for info and registration):
April 14-15 - The Contemporary Austin Art School in Austin, TX (Wait list only)
May 4-6 - Anderson Fine Art Gallery in St. Simons Island, GA

Morning Hush, plus LIVE CONVO and DEMO

Morning Hush, 10 x 20, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2020

SOLD

I love the tranquility of this scene, and know we are all ready for some quietness after all the recent craziness!!! Praying for peace...

BIG NEWS! Wednesday, November 4th, I will do a LIVE interview and demo with Eric Rhoads, publisher of PleinAir Magazine and Fine Art Connoisseur. Join us at 12 noon eastern time, on Facebook and YouTube... please tune in! 

Click HERE for live link (or catch it later by searching my name on YouTube.)

Field of Cactus - Fix It Friday #24

Field of Cactus, 12 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2020

Texas cactus! It's beautiful, especially when it blooms and... it's very invasive. Once it gets started, it just duplicates itself over and over. If an "ear" falls off, stick it in the ground and it will happily survive, grow, and spread!! All that to say, my fix today is all about better depicting ranch land full of propagated cactus. 

BEFORE

AFTER

CHANGES

Problem - Layers of cactus were not "laying down" on the picture plane.

Fix - Created a definitive scale shift from front to back, making layers incrementally smaller as they move into the distance. 

Fix - Muted layers incrementally as they recede.

Problem - Field just didn't have enough cactus!! 

Fix - Added another layer of cactus at the fence line.

Problem - Overcast sky was lack-luster in color and interest.

Fix - Intensified the purplish color that was there and popped the bit of light. 

OBSERVATIONS

Working with elements in the landscape to push them into the distance is a great challenge. Today's fix was a wonderful exercise in doing just that... scale shift, atmospheric perspective, overlapping, and layering were all used here. 

Austin Country Club Commission... installed and unveiled!

Davenport Clubhouse, 4' x 5', oil on canvas, Laurel Daniel © 2020

Austin Country Club Commission - SOLD

(If you follow me on social media or get my newsletter, you have seen these photos already. Please forgive my repetition, but I feel compelled to share this story here as well, since it represents a big chunk of my time and energy over the last months!) 

Here is a little bit of the story...

I was commissioned last September to do this 4' x 5' painting for the Austin Country Club (ACC), in Austin, TX. So I cleared the decks and worked on it fairly exclusively until the end of the year. Though it was not a secret endeavor, I never feel comfortable sharing much about a commission until it's totally finished and approved. On February 4th, it was installed and unveiled (literally) at a champagne reception in the main lobby of the club. Such fun!

My painting is part of a larger project that highlights and celebrates the club's history. The master plan includes a painting of each of the three clubhouses from which ACC has operated in its 100+ years. Mine depicts the current clubhouse, while the earlier two locations were interpreted by Texas artists Tom Evans and Dan Blagg. There is a fourth painting, a portrait by Carol Ivey, of three of the club's most famous golf members (Harvey Penick, Tom Kite, and Ben Crenshaw.)

It is a huge thrill and honor for me to be a part of this expansive and local project! Many thanks to the ACC board and to all who made this happen! 

A real "unveiling"... my first ever! It was actually a little tricky to get that sheet off without yanking the painting right off the wall. As you can see, I did get some help to prevent that!

The classic grinning-artist-in-front-of-painting-shot (a must have)! ;) 

Left: Hancock Clubhouse by Tom Evans

Middle: Davenport Clubhouse by Laurel Daniel 

Right: Riverside Clubhouse by Dan Blagg

Such a pretty setting, right? I am simply delighted!

Flowers of the Field - with process shots!

Flowers of the Field, 12 x 16, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2019

SOLD

Painting wildflowers in the hill country is always a treat for me. Maybe that's because before I moved to Texas 20 years ago, I was pretty convinced that this state was all just desert. I could not have been more wrong. There are so many different regions here, and the Hill Country might have the most unexpected beauty of them all. I still wonder at the color that appears each spring and fall!

For you painters out there, here is a series of process shots to show how the painting came together...

My start was a loose sketch for placement and composition.

Building on that initial sketch, I paid close attention to form and value. 

(That yellow stain is a place holder for flowers that will come later.)

Working dark to light, I painted the foreground uprights first. Then I moved to the distant uprights, muting them down to make them recede into the atmosphere.

Next I added the ground plane and sky plane. Since value and color are all relative, it's important to constantly compare and adjust to make all the parts work. 

Finishing the piece included muting the distant uprights even more, and popping the highlights on the foreground elements. I always save those marks for the end, so I can key them off what is happening in the rest of the painting. 

Here is a shot from my easel... parked ever so cooly in the shade! ;)

Texas Spring (study for commission)

Texas Spring (study), 12 x 16, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2019

SOLD

Back in the spring, I was commissioned to paint a "classic Texas" scene. What did that include? Well, live oaks and bluebonnets of course, but there was also a request for some TEXAS LONGHORNS! If you follow college athletics, especially football, you will have heard of Bevo, our beloved Longhorn mascot at the University of Texas. This painting was to be a gift for my client's husband, who is an alum. I totally "got it"... why it was important, why it had to be. This is Longhorn country and I am a fan, so I happily jumped right in! 

The first thing I did was to find a local ranch where I could study an actual herd, and take pictures from lots of angles. I had a lot of fun on that mission, and this field study became the jumping off point for the commission piece that came later. My next post will be all about the process of a commission, and how this one came together. Please stay tuned! 

___________________________

2020 PLEIN AIR WORKSHOP INFO:

March 30-April 2, 2020 - Wimberley, Texas

April 16-18, 2020 - St. Simons Island, Georgia

May 8-9, 2020 - Austin, Texas

SEE DETAILS ON MY WEBSITE: laureldaniel.com 

Ever Expanding

Ever Expanding, 18x24, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2019

SOLD

This scene is classic Texas Hill Country. Cactus families here are very prolific and once they get established, they just take off (or they take over, however you want to look at it!) I spotted this meadow from my car, and something about the light, and the fence, the the sunlit grasses made me stop the car and go back. I was actually heading home at the end of a painting day, so I couldn't set up my easel. BUT... I do believe this is what that iPhone camera is for! ;)

WORKSHOP INFO:

Fall Plein Air Workshop at Contemporary Austin Art School, Nov. 8-9, 2019

FULL - Register for waitlist Here 

Summer Shadows (and fall workshops!)

Summer Shadows, 6 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2017

SOLD

I am finally back stateside, after a delightful visit in Italy with my new granddaughter and her family! I had a wonderful time and it was so hard to leave. Sigh!

Now that I am back, it seems like summer is coming to an end, school is starting, and all the year round activities are starting back up. (This summer went by a little too fast!) For me, it has been more than satisfying to get my brushes wet again and to be outside painting. This simple tree gesture was all I needed to get my creative juices flowing!  

Fall workshops at The Contemporary Austin Art School are coming up! Please join me!
Still Life: Process and Studies, 9/29-30/2017 REGISTER HERE

Plein Air: Identifying Values, 10/20-21/2017 REGISTER HERE

Hill Country Bell Tower

Hill Country Bell Tower, 12 x 9, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2016

Available 

Today was a beautiful fall day in Texas... a liiiiittle bit cooler (okay, to some of you it would still seem hot, but we'll take it) and crystal blue skies. Plein Air Austin had a paintout scheduled at this lovely outdoor chapel in the Hill Country, called Chapel Dulcinea. It's not only a great painting place with quiet vistas all around, it's a gorgeous, intimate wedding venue. A pretty cool fact is that getting married here is actually FREE... couples need only reserve it with a down payment that is returned when they use it. How awesome is that? Pretty rare in this day and age... Read about it HERE.

NEW INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO AVAILABLE: 

"Laurel Daniel - Oil Painting for Beginners" 

Available at Liliedahl Art Instruction Videos 

4 Hrs 15 min - DVD or Digital Download - $35 + s/h

Azure Fields - Show Tip #26

Azure Fields, 24 x 36, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2016

SOLD

This spring has been gorgeous in central Texas. The bluebonnets have been especially prolific and colorful. Our beautiful Hill Country specializes in comforting scenes like this one, and they never get old. Each time I see that sea of blue, my breath catches!

Show Tip #26 - Deliver Safely (and On-Time)
Today was Delivery Day and it felt great! The organizing and planning of the last few months completely paid off, and I was not scrambling in the least. As for packing and loading it all up, I admit that I am a bit anal about that. After all that work, I don't want any last minute damage to a painting or frame. I have approached this in many ways, but this time I wrapped each painting with Stretch Wrap (available at shipping stores like FedEx and moving stores like Uhaul). It worked GREAT! The wrap allowed me to stack the paintings in my car without the frames rubbing or scratching, and it kept them from sliding around. Upon arrival, my gallery owner asked me to leave the wrap on... it will help him keep the paintings safe during the installation process. Win-Win!

Picture corners inside the wrap give added protection.

The wrap caused the paintings to kind of stick together and prevented sliding.

Here are links to other Show Tips:

Tip #1 - Stock up on Supplies
Tip #2 - Set up Deadlines
Tip #3 - Determine Subject Matter

Tip #4 - Work in Series

Tip #5 - Establish a Schedule

Tip #6 - Be Kind to YOU

Tip #7 - Follow your Heart

Tip #8 - Stay Flexible

Tip #9 - Whistle While You Work

Tip #10 - Fight Through Fears

Tip #11 - Take Notes

Tip #12 - Know when to Quit

Tip #13 - Stay Updated

Tip #14 - Balance Effort and Ease

Tip #15 - Assign Tasks

Tip #16 - Step Back 

Tip #17 - Sign As You Go

Tip #18 - Take Your Best Shot

Tip #19 - Celebrate Growth

Tip #20 - Varnishing Day(s)

Tip #21 - Frame Incrementally

Tip #22 - Deep Six Your Doubts

Tip #23 - Get the Word Out

Tip #24 - Stay The Course

Tip #25 - Take Care of Business

Opalescent Dusk - Show Tip #12

Opalescent Dusk, 24 x 30, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2016

Sold in Solo Show, "Chasing Color, Finding Light", Davis Gallery

This misty Hill Country day was challenging... until that dropping sun peaked out. And then, wow, what a reward! The heavy atmosphere brought on a pink shimmer and a quietness that was completely unexpected. My plein air piece captured the other part of the day... cold and flat. Thank goodness for a camera and a very memorable moment! 

Show Tip #12 - Know When to Quit

What I mean by that is... sometimes we over-work. Salespeople call it "selling through the close". This happens when the sale is made but the pitch-giver goes on, actually confusing the situation. I see this in myself and other painters when we don't know when to quit. Sometimes we need to stop because the day is just over. We are tired and depleted of the energy required to make good decisions. But way more often, we need to put down the brushes completely, because a painting is simply done... finished. At that point, to keep painting is to keep "selling", and that can kill the deal so to speak. A good practice is to slow down as you are finishing. Step back a lot, and when in doubt, stop for awhile. Come back with fresh eyes and a discerning heart. 

Here are links to other Show Tips:

Tip #1 - Stock up on Supplies
Tip #2 - Set up Deadlines
Tip #3 - Determine Subject Matter

Tip #4 - Work in Series

Tip #5 - Establish a Schedule

Tip #6 - Be Kind to YOU

Tip #7 - Follow your Heart

Tip #8 - Stay Flexible

Tip #9 - Whistle While You Work

Tip #10 - Fight Through Fears

Tip #11 - Take Notes

Painters - join me at this Plein Air Workshop:

April 28-30, Anderson Fine Art Gallery, St. Simons Island, GA

Contact Info: Mary Anderson, 912-634-8414

Hills Of Color - Exhibit at Davis Gallery

Hills of Color, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

SOLD

"A Summer Place Where We Can Go" Group Show

Davis Gallery, 837 West 12th, Austin, Texas

Reception June 27, 7-9 pm

On display through August 8

This painting is also available at Davis Gallery. I painted it this spring, during our spectacular wildflower season. The wildflowers are always gorgeous, but this year was especially abundant! 

Scattered Clouds - Exhibit at Davis Gallery

Scattered Clouds, 30 x 24, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2015

Available at Davis Gallery 

Davis Gallery's annual summer show opens officially this weekend with a reception on Saturday night. Unfortunately, I will have to miss the party for a wedding, but my paintings (including this one) will be there. Please stop by!

"A Summer Place Where We Can Go" Group Show

Davis Gallery, 837 West 12th, Austin, Texas

Reception June 27, 7-9 pm

On display through August 8.

Blanketed Hillside

Blanketed Hillside, 8 x 16, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

SOLD

Last week, Plein Air Austin met up at a park about an hour outside of town. The forecast said rain, but I had it on my calendar and decided to go anyway. The bluebonnets are always so prolific there in the spring, and I knew this year would be outstanding. The best part was that the sky cleared and the sun even came out for awhile... I was SO glad I didn't get scared off by the weatherman. :)

I have some spaces available in my upcoming workshop on the Georgia coast and would love to see you there. It will be beautiful there and a great time to paint! Please join me...

Color and Value in Landscape - Plein Air Workshop

Click here for details and registration info..

April 30-May 2, 2015 | Anderson Fine Art Gallery | St. Simons Island, GA

Scattered Clouds Study

Scattered Clouds Study, 8 x 6, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2014

SOLD

This little study is a classic Texas Hill Country scene… the big skies and the wildflowers never get old. And those wildflowers? When they arrive each spring and fall, they always dress things up a bit. I just finished a big version of this one, so it's time to let the study go to a new home. 

These small paintings make great Christmas gifts, so if you have some names to check off your shopping list, visit my small works site to see what is available...

See more Small Works

Gazing Ball Sparkle

Gazing Ball Sparkle, 8 x 6, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2013

SOLD

Last week, Plein Air Austin met up for our last official paintout of the year at The Lookout, a wedding venue in the Hill Country. It was a bright, sunny morning and this deep blue garden gazing ball was sparkling irresistibly. I do love a garden, and I hope we can go back in the spring. Many thanks to Ann for having us out! 

See more Small Works.

Leaning In and a new workshop for 2014

Leaning In, 12 x 9, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2013

These trees seemed to be leaning into the hillside almost as if on cue. It made me wonder what conditions caused them to grow like that. Prevailing winds? Whatever it was, the trees have great stability because of it. Nature is amazing.

NEW WORKSHOP:

I have just added a plein air workshop for next year on St. Simon's Island, Georgia. The dates are April 24-26, 2014. Register now with Mary Anderson at the Anderson Fine Art Gallery - 912-634-8414. I would love to see you there!

Hilltop Skies and Garden View

Hilltop Skies, 40 x 30, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2013 - SOLD

Garden View, 18 x 18, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2013 - SOLD

Here are two more paintings for my upcoming show (yes, I have been stock-piling). Hilltop Skies is a typical Hill Country field in springtime, filled with wildflowers and big clouds. I say "typical" but there is nothing ordinary about spring in Texas. I can never get enough. Garden View offers a similar riot of color, but from a cozy cottage on the coast of Georgia. Both scenes speak to me of the comfort and peace of home. And "home" comes in many forms for each of us. 

Landscapes: Interior-Exterior

Davis Gallery, Austin, Texas

Opens October 5th, 7-9pm

A Big Commission and a Big Upcoming Show!

Field of Bluebonnets, 40 x 30, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2013

SOLD

I know I have been a little AWOL, but I am back. :) I spent most of August hunkered down in the studio, working on a commission and lots of new work for a big upcoming show... 

First, the commission: This very large piece was commissioned by a patron who left Texas and wanted a painting to remember the big skies and prolific wildflowers of her home state. It was a delight to work on because these are things I love about Texas too, but more importantly, my clients were a complete joy. The painting is now happily installed, bringing a little bit of Texas to it's new home. 

Second, the show: I have been busily preparing a new body of work for my two-person show with fabulous artist, Sandra Langston, which opens at the Davis Gallery on October 5th, here in Austin. I will begin to post my work in the next few days, but wanted to let you know that it's coming. Below is a "Save the Date" - if you are near Austin, mark your calendar and please come. I do wish you could all come!

Spring Returns

Spring Returns, 6 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2013

SOLD

We have been experiencing the return of color to our landscape as spring brings everything back to life. Trees are leafing out, wildflowers are blooming and, of course, temperatures are warming up. We have even gotten some rain and rain is always welcome in these parts!