Chapel Dulcinea

Chapel Dulcinea, L. Daniel, 9 x 12

Yesterday our Plein Air Austin painting group met up at Chapel Dulcinea, a free, open-air wedding chapel in the hill country. The chapel is named for the love interest in the story of Don Quixote. Dulcinea is the peasant woman who unknowingly inspires all of Quixote's exploits (the "impossible dream" and "unreachable stars" are all for her). 

The chapel owners must be total romantics. They explain their connection to Cervantes' story this way (from their website):

"Don Quixote sees himself as her knight and champion, 

and Dulcinea as the most perfect woman on earth. 

Every groom is Don Quixote. And every bride, his Dulcinea... 

It is our hope that every visitor to Dulcinea will leave with a 

fresh commitment to see the beauty rather than the flaw, 

and the courage to follow the dream that whispers to the heart."

So inspiring... I love it that a place like this exists.

Congress Avenue

Congress Avenue, L. Daniel, 8 x 10, graphite

If I am downtown with a sketchpad, I inevitably end up finding an angle of our beautiful state capitol. Congress Avenue leads straight up to the big front lawn and it's always a striking sight to look up and see the many layered building.

Kruger's Corner

Kruger's Corner, L. Daniel, 7 x 10, graphite, SOLD

Today was the 30th World-Wide Sketchcrawl, an event that has been going on for 6 years. Our Plein Air Austin group has participated for the last few years and it's always a really fun event. We meet up at a local coffee shop (first things first) and then everyone wanders off to sketch whatever catches his or her fancy. My first stop was this old jewelry store basking in the sun (though I was personally a bit chilly sitting in the shade on the other side of the street.)

Morning Breaks

Morning Breaks (study), L. Daniel, 6 x 12, SOLD

This is the image I ended up painting again in the larger format. I have been on a wide and skinny jag and this angle seemed to suit that need perfectly! What I really love is how the church, though still prominent, blends into the countryside and meshes with the humbler buildings next to it. It establishes a certain connectedness between the earthly and the spiritual.

ALSO... I am so very proud to announce a newly updated, searchable Daily Paintworks, the online gallery I am part of with 11 other incredibly talented artists. You can now search by Artist, Title, Keywords, and even Colors through the over 4,000 paintings on the site. It is inspirational to be able to see so many paintings at a time and it's really easy to navigate.

Click here to visit Daily Paintworks
And click here to see my new, personalized Daily Paintworks gallery page

Hilltop Chapel

Hilltop Chapel, L. Daniel, 6 x 8, SOLD

Oh, the morning light on this little chapel... so gorgeous!!! This little painting is one of several studies done in preparation for a larger piece I painted this week. Sometimes it helps me to paint something from several views just to get the subject in my heart and head. 


Side note: I have a big show coming up in April at the Davis Gallery here in Austin, so I am in full painting mode and will be for awhile!!! For now, I will just post the studies and save the larger pieces to show until later. 


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Old Granary

Old Granary, L. Daniel, 8 x 6, SOLD

I spotted this old granary on a drive through Fredericksburg, and was instantly drawn its simple shapes and neutral colors. I was especially stunned by the warm afternoon light as it reflected off the adobe walls and tin roof.


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Hillside Wonder (study)

Hillside Wonder (study), L. Daniel, 6 x 8 

I have a "thing" for silhouettes against big skies... they always bring out the wonder in me. This sky was almost swirling with the color and movement of the clouds. 


Donated to Help Japan Auction - click here for info.
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The Space Between

The Space Between, L. Daniel, 6 x 8

Twenty Eleven.... it's just crazy. We are having some rainy, dreary days here in Austin. I painted this portrait of our weather in my warm, dry studio from a photo. Although I am anxious to get outside and paint again after the holiday hiatus, today was not the day. But it was a great day to get back at it again and work out some of the rustiness. Feels good. :)


Click to purchase $120 + $12 s/h
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