First Light

First Light (study), L. Daniel, 6 x 8, study SOLD

Back in Georgia, I was able to spend many early mornings on the beach. Mostly, I just walked and observed because the light moved quickly and became too bright to paint. These first colors of the day are so delicious though, and I find myself still thinking about them back in the studio.

See more Small Works


After completing the small study, I painted this larger piece below to send off to my gallery. Beyond size, I didn't change much in the second one except to "push" more purples and periwinkles in the shadows. They are pretty similar, but I think the larger one vibrates a little more.

First Light, L. Daniel, 12 x 16

Verdant Vineyard

Verdant Vineyard, L. Daniel, 8 x 8, SOLD

.

You may not think of Texas when you think of wineries, but we have 'em! These are the vines of the Messina Hof vineyard in Bryan, TX where I painted on Saturday morning. The Forsyth Gallery (of Texas A & M University) arranged this paintout to coincide with our Plein Air Austin exhibit which is currently on display in the gallery. It was designed to bring painters from Austin and Bryan together and was a lot of fun for all of us!!

.

See more Small Works

Summer Rain

Summer Rain (study), L. Daniel, 9 x 12

.

On Friday afternoon, I traveled with a small group of painting buddies to Bryan, Texas for a paintout we were attending on Saturday morning. On the way there, we stopped at Lake Somerville State Park and found this breezy lakeshore vista. The showers in the distance never reached us and we painted till dusk. Ah, the good life...

Hello Brad

Hello Brad, L. Daniel, 8 x 6

I know this subject matter is really off-topic for me, but yesterday our Plein Air Austin group met at the Austin Zoo for our weekly paintout. Something new and different! :) I chose the bird because it was stuck in its cage and couldn't get too far out of my sight (unlike the tigers who kept going into their huts for shade). My bird wasn't very talkative but the bird next door kept repeating, "Hello Brad, Hello Brad", intermingled with the Tarzan cry, "aw-ee-aw-ee-aw". It was quite entertaining. Talking birds... really funny...

See more Small Works

Clouds Rolling In

Clouds Rolling In, L. Daniel, 8 x 6, SOLD

A dramatic sky gets me every time. On this particular day, I was just finishing up another painting in the other direction when these clouds emerged. I couldn't stay, but I memorized the scene AND snapped a picture (you know, just in case I should forget something.)

See more Small Works

Closed Hibiscus

Closed Hibiscus, L. Daniel, 6 x 6

These last couple of weeks have been very full for me... framing for galleries, boxing and shipping, PUTTING THINGS AWAY from my trip, AND hanging out with my sister and nieces who were visiting. But today everything was quiet and I was able to just be in my own backyard painting. How fun is that? We have a giant Hibiscus plant in our garden that blooms all summer long. This is one of it's many blossoms...

.

See more Small Works

That Summer Feeling

Beach Day, L. Daniel, 12 x 12

This piece and other new works of mine are currently on display in the annual summer show at the Davis Gallery here in Austin. "That Summer Feeling" features the gallery's family of artists, and it is my great delight to be part of it all. Below is the exhibit invitation - wish you could all stop by... and if you are in town, please do! (On display through August 28.)

Clockwise from the top left:

Christopher St. Leger, Laurel Daniel, David Leonard, Matthew Fuller

Swimming Hole Cypress

Swimming Hole Cypress, L. Daniel, 12 x 12
.

Getting back into a rythym here in Texas has been slow going... however, yesterday I finally got outside with my paints. WOO HOO! (I was starting to get a little crabby from painting deprivation.) I headed down to McKinney Falls with my painting buddy, Julie Davis, and spent a lovely morning down by the swimmin' hole. This is one of my favorite spots and it's just outside of town. It's getting hot here, so painting by water is a must. And yes, we did get a little swim in as well!!!

Plein Air Exhibition

Blankets of Color, L. Daniel, 12 x 16

Golden Banks, L. Daniel, 9 x 12

I am pleased to share that Plein Air Austin has a juried exhibit opening this weekend at Texas A&M University's Forsyth Galleries! This invitational show is a great opportunity for us, both individually and collectively. We have 22 members participating and each has two paintings included. Above are my two pieces that were juried in; and you can see the entire show by clicking HERE.

Opening reception is Friday night... if you are near, please join us!!

“Plein Air Exhibition”
Featuring the work of Plein Air Austin
June 4 - July 31
MSC Forsyth Center Galleries - Texas A&M University
110 N. Main Street, Bryan, Texas

Opening Reception
Friday, June 11, 6-8 pm

Many thanks to the staff and curators at the Forsyth Galleries and to Beryl Kerwick, our Exhibits Chairman, for her excellent work!

Beach Boardwalk

Beach Boardwalk, L. Daniel, 9 x 12

We are home now. It was sad to leave St. Simons Island, but after five weeks away, it feels good to be back. This is my last painting done in Georgia (on Jekyll Island), but definitely not my last painting of the coastland imagery. I will be revisiting the colors and forms of the beaches and marshlands for a good while to come. As my "painting sabbatical" ends, I feel great satisfaction... both expectant and excited about where this work will lead me next. Having devoted painting time like this is a rare and wonderful opportunity and I enjoyed every minute! Thanks for your many wonderful comments of encouragement and for sharing the journey with me!

Bungalow in Pink

Bungalow in Pink, 12 x 12, L. Daniel

I love seeing all the old bungalows that were built in another lifetime on the island. This pink one particularly caught my eye; yes, because it was just so PINK! The owner wasn't home to give us permission, but hopefully, she would be pleased!!!

PS - When you get this we will be on the road, driving back to Texas. Wow, does time fly when you are having fun! It's sad to leave but it will be good to be home!!

Breakfast in the Village

Breakfast in the Village, 12 x 12, L. Daniel

.

Every Saturday morning my in-laws get up and meet their friends for breakfast at Dresner's, a popular little coffee shop in the village of St. Simons Island. It's standard southern fare: eggs, grits, biscuits, bacon... but oh, so good! Whenever we are in town, we try and join them, and the table just gets bigger and bigger as chairs are added in. It's such a fun tradition they have going (and I just had to get down there and paint it)!

Garden Hydrangea

Garden Hydrangea, 12 x 12, L. Daniel

I have watched this Hydrangea in our beach house garden go from leaves only, to little pink-tipped buds, to full-on flower. This process was duplicated in gardens all over the island and they are now in full display everywhere. They are a real garden staple in the south and have fabulously brilliant color; the soil must be perfect for them.

updated image 6/13 - slight changes from original.

Beach Day

Beach Day, 12 x 12, L. Daniel

.

I am starting to feel a little sentimental about my last days here on the island. It has gone way too fast. Over Memorial Day weekend, we had a huge family reunion and every second was precious... great dinners, wonderful conversation, hours of laughter on the porch... I know I will be savoring the memories for a long time. This clothesline got pretty heavy at times, as trips to the beach were enjoyed by all!!!! :)