Showing posts with label price $1580. Show all posts
Showing posts with label price $1580. Show all posts

Thursday, March 31, 2016

Farmer's Flowers - Show Tip #21

Farmer's Flowers, 24 x 30, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2016
Sold in Solo Show, "Chasing Color, Finding Light", Davis Gallery

 In this painting, I revisited a favorite plein air day from last year at Boggy Creek Farm. This local, natural farm is always welcoming to artists and is a fabulous place to paint. They also have a beautiful farm stand with all organic, delicious vegetables. The day I was there, these rows of zinnias were ready for picking, and painting! I loved the scene, especially with the little yellow house at the end of the row. 

 Show Tip #21 - Frame Incrementally
I am a painter who pretty much frames everything. I do it all myself and it's a big job. Here again, I recommend tackling this in small batches. When I try to frame a lot of pieces at once, I inevitably hurt my wrist or tweak my shoulder because it requires repetitive movements and muscles I don't use every day. To avoid that pain and the subsequent weeks of recovery, I try to space the task out (it's a great weekend job). This works well with my other systems... after the paintings dry and are varnished they land in the framing queue. With the show just 23 days away, it feels very good to see my "framed and finished" pile growing! :)
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 #8 - Stay Flexible
Tip #11 - Take Notes
Tip #12 - Know when to Quit
Tip #13 - Stay Updated
Tip #15 - Assign Tasks
Tip #16 - Step Back
Tip #17 - Sign As You Go
Tip #19 - Celebrate Growth

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
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Thursday, March 24, 2016

Beachfront Palms - Show Tip #19

Beachfront Palms, 30 x 24, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2016
Sold in Solo Show, "Chasing Color, Finding Light", Davis Gallery
H A P P Y   E A S T E R !!!

I used to be afraid to paint palm trees and now they are my favorite. What made the difference? Observing and practicing. For the last three years, my daughter and her family lived in Hawaii. My visits with them included many a foray outside, to plein air paint along the coast or at the beaches near their home. It was a perfect opportunity to study the behaviors and personalities of palm trees... and study I did! This scene is from the Georgia coast, where my palm lessons continue to be applicable. 

Show Tip #19 - Celebrate Growth
As I painted the scene above, I reflected on how I no longer avoid or "edit out" palm trees when I am painting. In fact, now I look for them and choose them as subjects! It made me happy to see that progress, and yes, I did a little happy dance! We all make little advances every day in whatever we are doing. Sometimes success is immediate and obvious, and other times it is slower and incremental. And there are also times when we are so intent on the next hurdle that we just forget to notice where we've been. It is really important to pay attention and give ourselves a pat on the back when we see growth. Look for it. It truly is cause for celebration (and great inspiration to keep going for that next hurdle). 

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 #8 - Stay Flexible
Tip #11 - Take Notes
Tip #12 - Know when to Quit
Tip #13 - Stay Updated
Tip #15 - Assign Tasks
Tip #16 - Step Back
Tip #17 - Sign As You Go

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

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Sunday, March 13, 2016

Spring Laurel Branches - Show Tip #17

Spring Laurel Branches, 24 x 30, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2016
SOLD

In Texas, we know that spring is on the way when the Mountain Laurels bloom, and this year they are abundant. We have lots of them in our yard, so these branches didn't travel far to sit in my studio for a painting session or two. Their waxy green leaves and lush purple blossoms are fun to paint, and their delicious aroma filled the whole house. They kind of smell like grape jelly, but in flower form. Yum.

 Show Tip #17 - Sign As You Go
For some reason, signing paintings can be an obstacle. Plein air pieces are quick and easy because I scratch my signature in while it's still wet. But with larger canvases, I like to sign them with paint. Years ago, I would wait till I had a bunch of pieces finished and sign them all at once. But then I would be backed into a corner, waiting for the signatures to dry. This delayed photographing, framing, and getting the work out there. Now I sign them as soon as the paint is tacky enough to take another layer. I use a liner brush, and mix a tone just slightly darker or lighter than the passage where I plan to put the signature. Then I take a deep breath, just do it, and I don't mess with it. (If you share this phobia, try practicing your name over and over on an old painting. It helps.)
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 #8 - Stay Flexible
Tip #11 - Take Notes
Tip #12 - Know when to Quit
Tip #13 - Stay Updated
Tip #15 - Assign Tasks
Tip #16 - Step Back

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
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Monday, March 7, 2016

Regatta and Show Tip #15

Regatta, 30 x 24, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2016
SOLD

One day last spring I was out plein air painting and suddenly this regatta sailed by. It was a most beautiful sight but didn't last long (no chance of catching it in the moment). Thank goodness for phone cameras. I ran to the dock and was able to snap off several shots that helped me preserve the memory for this painting. So much fun.

Show Tip #15 - Assign Tasks
Whether you are having a solo show in a gallery or a group show at a restaurant, it's important to know who is doing what, and when. There is so much more involved than painting the canvases. It helps to make a list of all that needs to happen to produce the exhibit, and then make assignments with a detailed timeline. Getting everything done (and having it all come out even and on time) depends on early and constant communication with everyone on the team. And of course, it requires being diligent with those deadlines!

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 #8 - Stay Flexible
Tip #11 - Take Notes
Tip #12 - Know when to Quit
Tip #13 - Stay Updated

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

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Sunday, February 28, 2016

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 #8 - Stay Flexible
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
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Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Summer House - Process Demo and Show Tip #11

Summer House, 30 x 24, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2016
Available

I happened upon this quaint summer home in Northern Wisconsin, in Door County to be exact. Lots of folks in the badger state have summer places up there and no wonder, it's a gorgeous getaway. I grew up in Wisconsin, and my family made many visits up that way to see family and to go camping. It's definitely a favorite place of mine! 

With this painting I made a point of taking photos at strategic stages, so that I could share some process notes with you...

Process Notes on Summer House

Sketchpad Drawing
I began with a quick 10x8 graphite sketch in my sketchbook. This helps me get the composition figured out and gives me a comfortable sense of the biggest shapes. 

Block-in Sketch 
This is my initial placement of the subject on canvas, using Ultramarine and Burnt Sienna. 


Block-in Values 
Indicating the darks (and leaving the lights untouched) helps me establish the foundation of my painting (still using ultramarine and burnt sienna).
Shadow Family 
Using the full palette, I painted the shadow family of everything in the painting. This helps me compare all the color and value within that shadow family and make sure it all "agrees". 

Light Family and Final Highlights 
Once the shadow family was working correctly, I was finally able to paint the light and color! It takes patience and a strong belief in delayed gratification to hold off on the fun stuff, but it's always worth it. 


Show Tip #11 - Take Notes!
When you figure something out (an "aha" moment or a breakthrough of any kind), write it down. I always think I will remember everything. Why wouldn't I? The truth is that I forget, sad but true, even some of life's most significant lessons. So I've learned to take notes about the important stuff, and the notes become little monuments to what I've learned. The good news? If I write something down enough times, eventually I get it memorized!  :)
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 #8 - Stay Flexible

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



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