River Border - Big Bend

River Border, L. Daniel, 9 x 12 - SOLD

So... the Big Bend National Park is located where the Texas/Mexico border makes a BIG bend in its overall shape (hence the name). The Rio Grande River runs along the border separating the two countries, and since the river is a bit low right now one could easily walk across to the other side. So much for border patrol. I did paint this scene on the Texas side (but will you ever really know?) :)


A personal side note: So many of you have sent me notes congratulating the end of my breast cancer treatments and wonderful wishes for a healthy future. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your prayers throughout and words of encouragement mean everything. Deep, deep thanks and much love to all. 

Ghost Town Remnants - Big Bend

Ghost Town Remnants, L. Daniel, 9 x 12 - SOLD

The biggest town in the Big Bend area is Terlingua, a funky little place with a bonafide Ghost Town right in the middle! The ghost town sits on a hillside next to an old graveyard and all the old adobe houses are in various stages of dilapidation. This one was particularly interesting with the sunlight coming through the roof. I really wonder about the people who used to live in these homes and what their life in the desert was like.


Here I am all bundled up, painting inside another ruin to stay warm... it was so windy and cold that day.

Desert Ocotillo - Big Bend

Desert Ocotillo, L. Daniel, 9x12

I just returned from a fabulous painting trip in Big Bend (Southwest Texas) with my painting buddy Julie Davis and a bunch of other great folks from the Outdoor Painters Society. It's about an 8 hour drive, but so worth it to see the diverse and distinct desert/mountain landscape. The first morning we stopped to paint on the side of a desert road to just get acclimated to the colors and shapes. These ocotillo plants are everywhere. In a couple of weeks they will bloom with red flowers... we were just a little too early.

Verdant River Valley

Verdant River Valley, L. Daniel, 30 x 30

SOLD

This river runs through a valley in the Adirondack Mountains where I painted last summer for a week. It is such a gorgeous area of the country and painting at this ambling body of water was a highlight. I posted the plein air piece then, but recently finished this larger studio piece. Misty storm clouds were wafting away (it rained a lot that week) and the sun was breaking through in the distance. Ahhh... I do love it when the sun breaks through. 

AND, speaking of sunny breakthroughs... I finally reached the end of my radiation treatments. YAY!!! For those just tuning in, I was diagnosed with breast cancer this past November. I had a lumpectomy in December followed by 6 1/2 weeks of radiation every day. Last Thursday, I got the final blast. Indeed, a HUGE breakthrough!! Though it wasn't fun, I am so very grateful for each and every dose, and am feeling great.  

My sweet husband took me away to a spa weekend in San Antonio to be pampered... here we are celebrating on the Riverwalk. As if that wasn't enough, tomorrow I am heading out to paint at Big Bend for a few days. The celebrating just doesn't end!!! Again I say, YAY!!!

Blue Dusk Reflection - Salon International 2012!!!

Blue Dusk Reflection, L. Daniel, 18 x 18

SOLD

I am so excited to announce that this painting was juried into the Salon International 2012 show at the Greenhouse Gallery in San Antonio, Texas. It is a great privilege to be able to participate in this exhibit alongside a host of incredible artists whose work I adore. The show opens April 14 and runs through May 4. If you are anywhere nearby, please plan to come! WOO HOO!!