Arbor Wisteria

Arbor Wisteria, 8 x 6, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2013

NFS

On Saturday, Plein Air Austin gathered at West Lake Beach for a paintout and spring BBQ. It was one of those perfect days... the sun came out right on time, the winds were calm, the food was delicious, and friendships were deepened. To top it off, in the middle of the picnic area an old arbor was completely covered with wildly, blooming wisteria. The scent in the air was like sweet perfume. 

Many thanks to D.D. and his family for having us out!! We loved being there.

Reflections Blue

Reflections Blue, L. Daniel, 6 x 8, SOLD

It's a quiet morning at my house... misty outside and warm inside. The holidays are coming to a close, another new year is about to begin, and it's time to think about goals for 2011.  That came fast, didn't it? I know my "List" will come (I am a bit obsessive about identifying and writing down my hopes and dreams very year) but for now, I am just enjoying this peaceful interlude. Happy New Year, everyone, and thank you for following my work!


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Marina Storage

Marina Storage, L. Daniel, 16 x 12

Last week, I made a visit back to Westlake Beach, the site of many of my small paintings in August. This scene has been in my head since my very first painting there. The play of the light and shadows stops me every time and I have stored up my observations in anticipation. I wanted to wait until it was cooler and I could take more time to really "get" all the elements. A sunny, fall day was just the ticket! :)

Tree Reflections Value Study

Tree Reflections Value Study, L. Daniel, 8 x 10

I actually did this value study from a full color plein air piece that didn't work out. (No, I have not posted it and don't plan to!) Interestingly, I really fought with that failed piece but could just not pull it out. My problem was color. I love color... of course, we all love color. We respond to it emotionally, and because of that emotion we let it play tricks on us. We chase it's many iterations and forget the original context. Going back to the values allowed me to remember the simple relationships between the planes in the landscape I originally saw. It was all there in my memory once I set the color aside.

Early Start

Early Start, L. Daniel, 8 x 6, SOLD

If you wake up early and walk down to Westlake Beach, you will see the sun rise behind the distant shore of the lake. I don't get going that early very often, but I managed it for this painting. I loved seeing the silhouetted forms of the dock and tied up boat against the bright light of dawn. It was kind of blinding... in a good way. :)

This will be my last Westlake Beach painting for a little while. I will keep going and am excited to do a batch of fall paintings there. It's such good discipline to revisit one place over and over again. Meanwhile, I have some other work to share with you.

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Sunlit Vine

Sunlit Vine, L. Daniel, 6 x 8, SOLD

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This is another quaint little shed at Westlake Beach (so curious about what's inside and will have to ask next time I get a chance.) What really caught my eye was the way the dappled sunlight struck this bountiful vine that is reaching over the fence... it so wants to be on the inside with all the beach fun!

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UPDATE: Turns out that this little building started out as Grandma Depwe's "Lake Cabin"; and this is where she cooked up many one-skillet sensations for her children and grandchildren. It later became "David's Refreshment Center" offering visitors everything from Dreamsicles and Fudge Bars to bamboo fishing poles and 25 cent inner tubes. When David went off to college, it became a storage shed, but apparently it still houses two old refridgerators that were spray painted blue back in the day! (Who knows, maybe the refreshment center will make a comeback!)

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Pier Sparkles

Pier Sparkles, L. Daniel, 6 x 8, SOLD

An early, cloudy morning at the lakeside reveals a silhouetted pier sparkling with glints of brilliant light reflections. I have to say, it's pretty contemplative at Westlake Beach when there is no one else around. A set of wind chimes drums out a soft, continuous call just to listen and enjoy. Otherwise, all's quiet.

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Little Shady Greenhouse

Little Shady Greenhouse, L. Daniel, 8 x 6, SOLD

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This little greenhouse shelters the potted plants at Westlake Beach during the winter months here in Texas. It was handmade by the owner, David, and is a charming addition to this wonderful, vintage beachpark. In this very hot month of August, it's hard to even remember cold enough temperatures that would require using this little shed!

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Lake Light

Lake Light, L. Daniel, 6 x 8, SOLD

Light reflecting on the lake has a special quality all its own. This particular morning was especially still and the light absolutely shimmered off the shore. This peninsula marks the opening to the cove across from Westlake Beach on Lake Austin.

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Red Boat, Blue Boat

Red Boat, Blue Boat, L. Daniel, 8 x 6, SOLD

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Many boats are moored at the Westlake Beach Marina - it's a deep cove that looks small from the lake but is surprisingly large when you get inside. David, one of the owners, grew up on this property and remembers helping his parents and grandparents repair the docks as a kid. He tells how his grandmother would cook up chili in her small cabin for them for when they came in from working. Isn't that a wonderful childhood memory? This is truly hallowed ground.

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Morning Veil

Morning Veil, L. Daniel, 6 x 8, SOLD

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One morning I was painting at Westlake Beach, and suddenly I heard the strumming of a guitar. Then I heard a fiddle; and then I heard singing. It turned out that two musicians were at the water's edge practicing for a weekend gig. Could I have been any luckier??? They sang and played the whole time I was painting - it was pure joy.

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Beach Shack

Beach Shack, L. Daniel, 8 x 6, SOLD

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The thing about Westlake Beach is that it's really family friendly; and lake toys abound. They even hang from trees! And of course, after all of the frolicking, the inner tubes and beach balls are carried back to the Beach Shack to await the next round of lakeside joy. :)

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Marina Reflections

Marina Reflections, L. Daniel, 8 x 6, SOLD

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I live very near Westlake Beach, a wonderful, family-owned marina and lakeside park on Lake Austin. It's a charming piece of old Austin that has been around for 56 years - quirky and untouched by the fast pace of current life. Think about creaky docks, wooden picnic tables, beach toys and windchimes, the smell of boats and gas, and you may get the picture. This summer, the owners have granted me special access to come and paint there in the early hours before it gets too hot. What a peaceful way to start my days!! This is the first of my "Westlake Beach" paintings.

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Marina Cove

Marina Cove, 12 x 9

Memorial Day Weekend is kind of the kick-off for summer boating everywhere. Our little local marina was all cleaned up and ready for action on Thursday afternoon when Plein Air Austin met up to paint there. The "hush" in this cove probably won't return until September!
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Happy Memorial Day!