River Secrets - Auction for Hurricane Sandy Victims

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

All proceeds will be donated to the Red Cross for Hurricane Sandy Victims

Friends, please join me in a fund raising effort for the victims of Hurricane Sandy. I will donate the proceeds of this painting through an auction over at Daily Paintworks. The process is easy, you bid (and keep bidding), and at the end of the 7-day auction I will send the full amount of the sale to the Red Cross. The painting will go to the highest bidder... It's win/win! 

Update: this painting sold and proceeds have been donated to the Red Cross. Thank you K and B!

This cause is near and dear to my heart. My son and his new wife live in Brooklyn and my sister's family lives near Albany. (Thankfully, they are safe and sound). My thoughts and prayers are with each of them, and with all who were hit by this devastating storm. 

Coincidentally, I was just in New England this past weekend and painted this plein air piece beside the Connecticut River in Hanover, New Hampshire. My husband and I were at Dartmouth College (his alma mater) for homecoming.... truly the "calm before the storm" in that part of the country. 

Lacy-Blue

Lacy-Blue, 6 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012 

SOLD

I couldn't resist taking another shot at these gorgeous Lace-cap Hydrangeas (see my last post for first one). This piece is a little looser and abstract, as I was mostly focused on the shapes and color relationships. And I do love that blue! 

Lacecap Hydrangea Blossom

Lace-cap Hydrangea Blossom, 6 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012

SOLD

I do love hydrangeas and the Lace-cap is one of my favorite varieties. When I see them growing in a garden (or anywhere for that matter) I am captivated by their magical, delicate forms. Nature is a constant wonder, don't you think?

Bicycle Alley - Quick Draw Do-over

Bicycle Alley, 8 x 6, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012

SOLD

Plein Air Painting events often have a "Quick Draw" component in which artists gather in a pre-defined perimeter to paint in a timed and judged session. For the 90 minute Quick Draw in Kerrville, I chose this glowing alley as my subject. It seemed simple enough - but no. When the end whistle blew I was not quite finished. I did turn in that piece but when I got home I had to paint it again. I just wanted a little more time! This small piece is my second, home effort. 

Side-note: Kent, the owner of this bike who works in the adjacent building, told me the real scoop. Apparently, back in the day, nurses from the hospital across the street used to come to this alley to smoke. I wanted to call this "Smoking Alley" but I didn't think it would make sense to anyone but Kent and me. :)

Here are some process shots from the Quick Draw taken by Kerrville photographers Bob and Diana Nelson. Thanks Bob and Diana!

photo credit: Diana Nelson

photo credit: Bob Nelson

photo credit: Diana Nelson

photo credit: Diana Nelson

Morning on the River - Kerrville Outdoor Painting Event

Morning on the River, 12 x 9, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012 - SOLD

Fall color is beginning to emerge! This is another spot on the Guadalupe River in Hunt, Texas. The early morning water was so still and reflective, it was almost like glass. After about an hour of painting though, a breeze came up through the canyon and killed the reflections. Luckily, I had gotten lots of the color information in place early on, so I was able to stick with my original inspiration... that golden mirror image.

Overhanging Cypress - Kerrville Outdoor Painting Event

Overhanging Cypress, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012

Huge cypress trees line the banks of the Guadalupe River in the Kerrville and Hunt area of Texas. It's quite something to see how they create a corridor for the water to run through. This particular stand of trees welcomes visitors at the entrance of Camp LaJunta in Hunt. The camp directors were kind enough to let us spend a day on their land. It was so pleasant to stand in the shade and paint with that lovely water flowing past. 

Creek Shadows - Kerrville Outdoor Painting Event

Creek Shadows, 9x12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012

This scene is at the entrance of Camp LaJunta, a kids' camp out in Hunt, Texas. The creek feeds into the Guadalupe River which flows right over the main road and through the center of the camp. I can only imagine the campers' excitement when they arrive at camp each summer and get to drive over the water on their way in. It's pretty cool - I would have LOVED to go to this camp when I was a kid! 

Barn Row - Kerrville Outdoor Painting Event

Barn Row, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012

This is another painting from the plein air event in Kerrville, Texas. The ranch where these three barns are located was a treasure trove of painting subjects. (The Victorian house from yesterday's post is on the same property.) I could have painted here for a week, easily, and I thoroughly enjoyed the time I had. 

As I was packing up my gear, the little goats below started following me around. They must have thought I had snacks or something - after all, it was getting on towards dinner time. All the other painters had cleared out except for Julie Davis (my faithful painting companion for the week) and me, so we were the only hope those goats had. They were very cute. And persistent!

Porch Light - Kerrville Outdoor Painting Event

Porch Light, 9 x 12, Oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012

The last few days have been a whirlwind... 
Immediately upon returning from my son's wedding, I drove out to Kerrville, Texas for the first ever Kerrville Outdoor Painting Event (KOPE). Participating artists spent three days painting in the Hill Country at homes and ranches that were graciously opened up for us. This victorian house from the 1800's was irresistible with all of it's ornamental detail and huge wraparound porch; and the rusty old truck seemed to fit right in.

I had a great time with old and new friends (plein air painters are the friendliest bunch), and my good friend Robin Cheers won it all! On Friday night she won the 90 minute quick draw and on Saturday she took best of show. Congratulations Robin!

White Picket Fence and Happily Ever After

White Picket Fence, 6 x 8, Oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012,  SOLD

What is it about white picket fences that make me feel settled and peaceful? At home? Maybe that is just my state of mind right now... this past weekend my son and his beautiful bride were married in Long Island. They are absolutely perfect for each other and the whole weekend was full of joy. My heart is overflowing. 

Here are some special moments from the day...

Mr. and Mrs. Rawson Daniel 

Happily ever after...