Creosote Vista

Creosote Vista, 6 x 12 (12 x 18 matted and framed), L. Daniel © 2012

Available at the Davis Gallery 

"Works on Paper" Show

This is the last of my Big Bend series on carton board. The challenge to try something new always brings about creative growth. Experimenting of any kind keeps things fresh and interesting. The show opens this weekend and I personally can't wait to see what everyone has produced. It will be a real celebration of diverse works, for sure. The show will be up for a month, so if you are in or around Austin, please drop by. Or, see all four pieces on my website.


"Works on Paper" Summer Group Show
Davis Gallery, 837 W. 12th Street, Austin, Texas
June 30 - July 31, Reception Saturday, June 30, 7-9 pm

Soaptree Sentinel

Soaptree Sentinel, 12 x 6 (18 x 12 matted and framed)

Oil on paper, L. Daniel © 2012

Available at Davis Gallery

"Works on Paper" Show

This is another piece completed for the "Works on Paper" show that opens this weekend. The Soaptree is fascinating plant that livens up the barren, desert landscape (I especially loved its quirky seed pods up top.) See other works in show on my website. 

A word about framing these works on paper... 

A lot of people have written to ask me if using this paper required framing with a mat and glass. Would they be okay without glass? In theory, the carton board paper is treated so it should hold up over time. However, I chose to frame it under glass for a few reasons: 1) to protect them from dust (not sure how one would clean them otherwise), 2) because they had to be mounted onto something sturdy for presentation anyway, and 3) it's standard framing procedure for works on paper. 

Framing with glass just seemed like the right thing to do to make sure the pieces hold up over time. It also sets them apart from my works on canvas and was a different way to "finish off" this special project. Oh, and one final thing... when I matted them I did allow a 1/4 inch margin around the loosely painted edges - so the image areas are just like the photo above. 

"Works on Paper" Summer Group Show

Davis Gallery, 837 W. 12th Street, Austin, Texas

June 30 - July 31, Reception June 30, 7-9 pm

Blooming Agave

Blooming Agave, 12 x 6 (18 x 12 matted and framed)

Oil on paper, L. Daniel © 2012

Available at the Davis Gallery

"Works on Paper" Show

Blooming cactus is a common and often dramatic sight in the desert. The sheer height of this bloom was astounding. This piece is included in the upcoming "Works on Paper" group show at the Davis Gallery. My pieces in the exhibit are all painted with oil pigments on a card stock called "carton board". I chose this paper for its warm color and absorbant surface. It was actually quite perfect for depicting the soft dusty tones of the desert. (See all show pieces on my website.)

A word about working on this carton board paper... 

The carton board is "resin-sized" which is a process that preps the paper surface to receive paint. It is still very absorbent and has a bit of a scratchy quality. I could have used clear gesso to seal it more thoroughly, but I actually liked the way the paint absorbed into the paper. More paint was required for each stroke and it was very satisfying to apply. My good friend, Robin Cheers, turned me on to it and I like it a lot. Thanks Robin!! Carton board is available at Guerrilla Painter.

"Works on Paper" Summer Group Show

Davis Gallery - 837 W. 12th Street, Austin, TX

June 30 - July 31, Reception June 30, 7-9 pm

Desert Dwelling - Works on Paper Show

Desert Dwelling, 12 x 16 (18 x 22 matted), Oil on paper, L. Daniel © 2012

Available at the Davis Gallery

"Works on Paper" 

Summer Group Show

Davis Gallery

837 W. 12th Street, Austin, TX

June 30 - July 31

Reception June 30, 7-9 pm

Please excuse this interruption of my Coastal Georgia Series... 
In my next few posts, you'll see new paintings from the exhibit above that opens this weekend. The prospectus for this show required that all the work be completed on some kind of paper support. I had a great time experimenting with new surfaces while choosing an alternative to traditional canvas. (More about the paper and process later.) 


The images I chose were inspired by my spring painting trip to Big Bend, Texas. Stay tuned for the companion pieces to this one. Each piece is matted and framed under glass. See all pieces included on my website. If you are in town, please stop by the gallery! 

Ocean Sky

Ocean Sky, 12 x 9, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012 

Did I mention that we had some rain on St. Simons while we were there? Yep, tropical storm Beryl rolled through and left some water and debris in its tracks. We were lucky that it didn't get worse and that we didn't have days of endless rain. This particular cloudy sky happened before just before Beryl. I was painting on Jekyll Island with a gaggle of painting friends (that shore in the distance is actually St. Simons.) Rain threatened all day but we were not deterred. We got a painting in and had some lunch before it really came down. 


Now they are getting tropical storm Debby in those parts. "Tis the season...

Boatyard Line-up

Boatyard Line-up, 12 x 9, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012

These catamarans were quite a sight - all lined up and ready to go. Local ocean goers store their boats in a gated pen right next to the main beach on St. Simons, and they have secret codes for getting in and out. We found them to a be a gregarious and friendly bunch. Each one was nicer than the last... "sure, you can paint in here!"... "stand wherever you want!"... "would you mind just pulling in the gate when you leave?" So we did all those things. I guess we didn't look suspicious.


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And look for July/August issue that is coming out next week. 

River Dock

River Dock, 8 x 16, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012

It might make sense to reiterate that I just returned from a long painting trip to St. Simons Island on the coast of Georgia. (A few people have asked, "now where are you again?") I was unable to keep photographing and posting while there, but I am now home and finally able to share it all with you. Though I hated falling behind, it's fun for me to revisit these painting moments as I write. 

This is old dock sits on the river that separates the barrier island of St. Simons from the mainland. I loved the slanted shadows from the morning light, and the simple silhouetted shapes that cast them. I was painting and just contemplating the sheer poetry of it all... when suddenly a bird in the branches above me deposited a little gift onto my palette. Hmmmm... it's always something. :)

Rusted and Forgotten

Rusted and Forgotten, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012 - SOLD

These two old gas tanks were once well used by boats on the inter coastal waterways between St. Simons Island, GA and the mainland. Like so many things, they have served their purpose and remain only as a reminder to another day and time. Over the years, I have watched them rust more and more, and always wonder if they will be there when I get back. On this visit, I spent a morning there painting, just in case. 

Brewing Storm Study

Brewing Storm Study, 8 x 16, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012

Rain on the Georgia marshes is a beautiful sight. There is nothing quite like the sight of storm clouds broiling up on the horizon... the breeze and salt air start swirling around... and you can just smell it. By the end of this painting, my brushes were flying - fast and furiously! But I did beat the downpour. This time.

REMINDER TO LISTEN: 

"ARTISTS HELPING ARTISTS" BLOG-TALK RADIO HOSTS ARE INTERVIEWING ME!

Thursday, June 21, live at 9 am PST (that's 12 noon EST)

Click HERE to hear it live OR whenever it's convenient later. 

Once the interview is over you will be able to listen to the recording anytime.

Marsh Dance Study and some news

Marsh Dance Study, 12 x 16, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012

I wanted to paint this row of trees for so long, but could never find a good place to actually DO it. It's next to a causeway so I usually see it (with an aching heart) from the window of a car. Amazingly (after much searching and a few questionable driving maneuvers) my friend Alyson and I found access to the perfect view. On cue, the tide came in and filled up the marshland with dazzle and sparkle. It was so worth the hunt!

News: PLEASE TUNE IN FOR MY BLOG-TALK RADIO INTERVIEW!

I am very honored to be a featured guest on "Artists Helping Artists" blogtalk radio, with show host Leslie Saeta and June co-host Pat Fiorello. The interview is Thursday, June 21, at 9am PST and 12 noon EST. (You can also listen to it after the fact.) Click HERE and learn how to get connected! 

 Alyson Tucker, and me... quite pleased with ourselves.

How did we get to the causeway spot? We'll never tell! :)

Waiting

Waiting, 8 x 6, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012, SOLD

This sculpture of a young woman graces the corner of a lovely Georgia garden I was privileged to teach in. The girl is pausing, like she is waiting for someone or something. As the sun shone down from behind her, it seemed to be lighting the path of her gaze. Quite stunning. 


I did have a great time in those gardens!!! 


See more Small Works

Garden Sparkle

Garden Sparkle, 8 x 6, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012

Gift to workshop garden host.

I would like to report that southern hospitality is a real and wonderful thing! This is another private garden that I was more than welcomed into for my workshop at St. Simons Island. When it rained at the end of our painting time, our kind hostess invited us to gather up on her porch for our critique. She not only tolerated the wet paintings sitting all around, she also came out and joined us for the discussion! Many thanks to each of our generous garden owners!

BTW - this is not the painting I am demonstrating below. Didn't love that one. :) This one is the result of a collaboration of ideas with Karen Rose. Our discussion had to do with creative editing and taking the liberty to reorganize elements. I ended up with so many good sketches, I just had to paint it! Thanks Karen! 

Another demo underway. 

Critique on the porch.

Thanks to Pat McCormick for photos!

Garden Gifts

Entryway Blessing, 8 x 6, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012

Gift to workshop garden host.

I am finally back from my work/play vacation in St. Simons Island, Georgia. The "work/play" idea is an oxymoron, unless you love your work! :) I had a wonderful time but it was impossible to stay current with my technology tasks. The play part of every day prevented me from cataloguing and blogging. BUT... I'm back home now and will finally photograph and post the plein air work I did while I was there. Please stay tuned.

For now, here are a few more demo shots from my workshop...

Line and Mass Block-in for "Entryway Blessing" demo.

Thanks to Pat McCormick for photo.

Workshop participants watching demo in garden entryway.

 What a great group I had!! Thanks to Karen Rose for photo.