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Thursday, July 21, 2011

Garden Embrace

Garden Embrace, L. Daniel, 6 x 8, SOLD


I am quite drawn to the intimacy of private gardens, so today's paintout with Plein Air Austin was a perfect location for me. We met up at the Barr Mansion, which is a beautiful Victorian home from the 1800's that is now a popular wedding venue outside of Austin. It is surrounded by well-tended gardens from which this statue greets the morning each day. The unabashed praise of this young gardener is simply contagious. 


I can't help but think of these words from "Morning Has Broken", the old gaelic melody sung by Cat Stevens...



"...Mine is the sunlight, mine is the morning

Born of the one light, Eden saw play
Praise with elation, praise every morning
God's recreation of the new day..."




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7 comments:

  1. Kelley Carey MacDonaldJuly 22, 2011 at 7:47 AM

    So different, yet wonderful! I love the inclusion of the statue (God, I hope it's a statue), and the architecture, as well as the gardens... great piece, Laurel!

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  2. Debbi Smith RourkeJuly 22, 2011 at 7:54 AM

    You are a master at capturing the light and keeping the shadowy, dim lit areas so interesting too.
    What an inspiration to see this and read your Cat Stevens song quote. Happy morning to you too!
    xoxo

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  3. Kathy CousartJuly 23, 2011 at 8:59 AM

    Laurel, This is just stunning! Love the gorgeous flowers at the foreground that lead you in. The light dancing across the statue and the gardens hold you there with the simple beauty of it. Must have been an amazing day. I was hearing the Cat Stephens song in my head as I read the verses. Perfectly done!

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  4. Theresa Taylor BayerJuly 23, 2011 at 12:57 PM

    Hi Laurel, this is so lovely and graceful! I recognized the Barr mansion and that little garden off to the side with the statue before even reading the post. The Cat Stephens quote is perfect.

    And thanks for your kind words of welcome on my blog.

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  5. Denise RoseJuly 24, 2011 at 8:27 AM

    Laurel, I love little gardens too and am always thinking when I see one "I would love to paint that!" This is a fabulous painting in so many ways. Looks like a great day of painting!

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  6. Tracey MardonJuly 31, 2011 at 11:43 AM

    Beautiful composition as always! My favorite part are your shadows too!

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  7. RandallNovember 4, 2011 at 11:18 PM

    A lot to put in that 6x8 but I think you did a good job in capturing depth which I like seing :)

    ~Kirby

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