Stolen Moment

Stolen Moment, L. Daniel, 8 x 6, NFS

Back in Austin, I am immersed in the final preparations for my daughter's upcoming wedding - just 8 days away. It seems like we have been thinking about it and planning for it for so long, and now it's here. It's a deliriously wonderful and emotional time. I catch myself tearing up at the strangest things. Today it was the little pre-school aged girls in the grocery store pushing their mini carts through the aisles. I remember those days like they were yesterday.

So, with that as a backdrop, this painting truly represents a "stolen" moment in an otherwise ridiculously hectic week. Yesterday morning, Julie Davis and I met up under the low water bridge to paint before facing the demands of the day. It was much needed time to just stop and take in... and I went away completely refreshed!

Sylvan Glow - a study, a larger piece and a friend

Sylvan Glow Study, L. Daniel, 6 x 8, SOLD

This glowing tree in St. Simons Island, GA was so captivating that I had to paint it twice. The top piece was first. My challenge was to capture the glowing quality of the foreground tree as well as the glowing road behind. AND it included Spanish Moss to just make things more tricky. :)

It was a study in temperature. Observing the relative warms and cools was important to getting it to work. Several days later I went back in the same kind of light to try it again (see larger piece below). This was a very helpful exercise to really understanding the light and color. 

Sylvan Glow, L. Daniel, 12 x 16

Available at the Anderson Fine Art Gallery 

in St. Simons Island, GA

Alyson Tucker and Laurel waiting for ferry on Sapelo Island.

This is my fabulous painting buddy from St. Simons Island, Alyson Tucker (and me on right). We have fabulous painting adventures whenever we get together, and this year was no different. We painted almost every week day I was there, and I SO appreciate that she is always ready to go anywhere, anytime! Thank you for a great visit, Alyson!!!! 

Boat Shed

Boat Shed, L. Daniel, 12 x 16

I painted this plein air piece the small, rural town of Meridian, Georgia. This shed sits right next to the local post office and I am pretty sure that every member of the community stopped by for their mail while we were painting. They were a friendly bunch and more than several of them stopped to tell us the history of the old shed...


Apparently, there was once an old country store next door that purchased "deertongue" by the pound (named for it's appearance - it looks like a deer's tongue). Deertongue is an indigenous, vanilla flavored plant that was used by the tobacco industry back in the 1900's to flavor cigarettes and pipe tobacco. Folks would collect these leaves in the countryside and bring them to the store for extra cash. One guy remembered working in these old sheds as a kid, processing and bundling the herb. Lots of history in this place! :)

Sapelo Lighthouse

Sapelo Lighthouse, L. Daniel, 8 x 6, SOLD

This lighthouse on Sapelo Island, Georgia looks like a toy, don't you think? Not only in my painting but in real life - I think it's something about the red and white stripes. While I was painting, another visitor to the lighthouse took the picture below and emailed it to me. It lets you see the story book quality of the scene... thanks MC!

See more Small Works

Coast Guard Lookout

Coast Guard Lookout, L. Daniel, 12 x 12

St. Simons Island has a wonderful, historic Coast Guard station that sits overlooking the ocean. It was built in 1936 and after many years of service was refurbished into a maritime museum. Sitting right next to the main public beach, it is also a major landmark for meeting up and the location of much summer fun. :)


I have some other fun news... yesterday, I had a visit from a blog friend, Kathy Cousart! She was traveling through the area with her husband and they stopped by to see us. This was the first time we ever met in person (though we have exchanged many a communication through email and our blogs). It was pure delight! We visited, talked plenty of "art" and instantly felt like old, old friends. It's a wonderful, small world. Thanks for visiting, Kathy!!!

Me and Kathy Cousart meeting up in Georgia!!!!

Hill Country Color - 5 x 7 Art Splurge Show

Hill Country Color, L. Daniel, 5 x 7

This is my second donation to the annual "Five x Seven Show" at the Jones Arthouse in Austin, TX. Though I am not in town to enjoy the opening weekend myself, I recommend a visit to this fun and fabulous exhibition if you are around.

Annual "Five x Seven" exhibit and fundraiser

Arthouse at the Jones Center - downtown Austin

Hours: Mon-Tues closed, Wed 12-11 pm, 

Thur-Sat 12-9 pm, Sun 12-5 pm

Exhibit runs through June 12

This is my other donated piece in the "Five x Seven" show:

Golden Splinters, L. Daniel, 5 x 7

Golden Splinters - 5 x 7 Art Splurge Show

Golden Splinters, L. Daniel, 5 x 7 

This weekend was/is the ever popular "Five x Seven Art Splurge" in Austin. It's a big fundraiser that benefits the educational programs at the Jones Center Arthouse and the above painting is one of my donations. For the second year in a row, I had to miss the big event because I am still in Georgia. I guess it's a small price to pay, but I do love this annual show and party. The exhibit includes hundreds of 5 x 7 artworks of every shape, style, medium and color; and all displayed anonymously. On the first night nothing can be purchased until a buzzer goes off at 9 pm. Each work costs $150 and it's a huge grab fest - competitive art buying at its best. SO MUCH FUN!!!

If you are in Austin, the show is open all weekend.

Hours: Saturday 12-9 pm, Sunday 12-5 pm, Mon-Tues closed, Wed 12-11pm.

Exhibition will be up until June 12.

Sneak preview of my second donated piece in case you go

(will post officially tomorrow):

Hill Country Color, L. Daniel, 5 x 7

Gateway of Palms

Gateway of Palms, L. Daniel, 12 x 12

These palm trees appear to be greeting the river like a giant natural gateway. I love how the one is leaning out toward the water, almost as if to beckon. 

Happy Mother's Day to mom's everywhere!

Island Alley

Island Alley, L. Daniel, 12 x 9

As kids, we used to play in the alley behind our grandparents' home in Wisconsin. There was always an intrigue about being in that "in between" place separating the backyards. (And I remember there were always hollyhocks growing there.) This dirt alleyway has that same kind of draw for me. This is not the alleyway of my childhood, but I have been wanting to paint it for a long time. :)

Fishing Boats

Fishing Boats, L. Daniel, 12 x 16

I loved this turquoise boat docked on the river. The light was hitting it "just so" and the tide was swirling beside it. For those who know this area, I was under the bridge on Jekyll Island and after painting, we had a lovely lunch on the wide outdoor porch at Sea Jay's! Life is good! :)