DETAIL SHOTS of 10-ft painting, and Reveal Party Pics!

Figure Detail 1 - Father and Son

from Tunnel of Trees (56 x 120), oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2018

I had a lot of fun working the figures into each of these large pieces, and want to spotlight them a bit here (the image of the full painting doesn't quite do them justice.)  This father and son were an extra delight for me, because they are my son in law and grandson!!! I didn't actually have a picture of them walking on this specific Houston boulevard, but I DID have them walking in just the right direction and angle on another street. I was able to pop them into the scene just like they belonged there! Painting them was such a joy that now I want to paint all my kids and grandkids!

Tunnel of Trees, 56 x 120, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2018

3rd Commission piece for Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas

I'm including the full painting here, so you can see where each figure appears.

 Figure Detail 2 - Dog Walker

from Tunnel of Trees (56x120)

Figure Detail 3 - The Ladies

from Tunnel of Trees (56x120)

THE COMMISSION REVEAL...
This past Saturday, we celebrated the completion of this 3-part commission project, with a reception at the Davis Gallery in Austin. It was a SUCH fun gathering... I loved being able to share the last painting, IN PERSON, with local friends before delivering it to Houston today! Heartfelt thanks to my friends at the Davis Gallery, and to ALL who came and/or sent kind wishes! 

Here are shots of the party...

Being introduced for Artist Talk by Kevin Ivester, Gallery Director

So fun to see friends...

from all walks of life...

old and new...

Thank you, Eddie, for getting an up close view of that brushwork!!! 

Tunnel of Trees - 3rd of Three 10-ft paintings, and a Commission Reveal Party!!

Tunnel of Trees, 56 x 120, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2018

Commission for Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas

Third of three 10-foot paintings to hang in new North Tower

Hip hip hooray! I am finished with my giant commission project! Three 10-foot paintings... mission accomplished!!! This has been an incredible opportunity to stretch my wings and push the artistic envelope; AND, there is nothing quite like being done. It's an amazing feeling.

To celebrate, we are having a viewing party at the Davis Gallery in Austin, on Saturday. This third and last painting will be on display for one day only. If you are anywhere nearby, please join us... 

Commission Reveal - viewing party

Saturday August 25, Reception 1-3pm, Artist Talk 2pm

Davis Gallery, Austin, TX

Details! Close up images of a 10 foot painting!

Figure Detail from Bayou Bend Pathway (56x120), oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2018

As I shared after Giant Painting #1... Giant Painting #2 ALSO needs to be experienced close up and personally! The camera just can not capture the brushwork and presence that this painting has. 

Have I mentioned that I really wish you would drive to Houston and see it in person??? Well, I know that is not practical, so these details are as close as I can get to showing you the brushwork and movement in the painting. Click on images to see them larger. 

Bayou Bend Pathway, 56 x 120, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2018

10-Foot Commission for Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas

This is the big one again, just so you can place the close ups... ;)

Tree Detail 1 (top middle) from Bayou Bend Pathway (original piece is 56x120)

Oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2018

Figure Detail 2 (right hand side) from Bayou Bend Pathway (original piece is 56x120)

Oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2018

Azalea & Signature Detail (bottom right) from Bayou Bend Pathway

Oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2018

Study for 2nd Large Commission

Bayou Bend Study, 8 x 16, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2018

Study for 2nd large commission for Methodist Hospital in Houston

You might be interested to know that the idea for my second large commission was designed, submitted, and approved in the mini-version above. Through that study, my client was able to get a sense of the composition, color, and value direction I would take with the big one. Once approved, I stuck as close as possible to the overall "feeling" of the small piece.

Keep in mind that the study is approximately 50 times smaller than this larger, final piece. Just for comparison, here is the large one...  

One reader asked how I was able to keep the overall perspective correct on such a large piece. The short answer is that I backed up... often and a lot. Every time I worked an area or passage, I would back across the room and make sure it still "worked" overall. 

Another thing that helped was to use a projector to transfer the image of my approved study onto the large canvas. This allowed me to capture directional lines and outline major shapes from my design. Once those were in place, I could develop the painting with confidence that the perspective would be in tact. 

Tomorrow I'll share some close ups of the large piece so you can see the brushwork and detail... please stay tuned!

Bayou Bend Pathway - 2nd of Three 10-Foot Commissioned Paintings

Bayou Bend Pathway, 56 x 120, Oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2018

Commission for Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas

First of three 10-foot paintings to hang in new North Tower

If you have been following along with my blog this year, you know I have been working on a giant, 3-part commission for the Methodist Hospital in Houston. It's been all-consuming! The second 10-foot painting (of three) was delivered and installed in early June, but I got distracted by the third one, and life in general, so my posting about it got delayed! Better late than never, I say! 

Today, I will begin by showing several process shots, so that you can see how the painting developed from the beginning to the end. I'll be sharing different aspects of the overall process as the week goes on (including close ups and the smaller study I worked from), so please stay tuned!!!!

I began with a sepia tone painted block-in. This first step established my composition and value patterns of light and dark. It became my road map for the rest of the process.

Because the canvas was so large, I worked in sections to cover the canvas. At this phase, I was trying establish the best average value and color range, and focused on large shapes and masses rather than detail.

The middle section... more large shapes and masses.

The last section... shapes, masses. As the canvas filled up, I started comparing areas and thinking about how I would adjust them.

In the final stage, I painted broke up the masses with subtle color and value shifts. This is when the details emerged and final pops of light were placed. The photos are painfully small for such a huge subject, so it's hard to see what I am talking about, I know. 

This gives you a sense of the scale... AND a sense of my joy at being finished! 

Click HERE to see painting #1 of 3.

Two David Sorg Easels set up side by side hold my 10 foot canvas.

Bayou Bend Pathway - 2nd of 3 Ten-Foot Commissioned Paintings

Bayou Bend Pathway, 56 x 120, Oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2018

Commission for Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas

First of three 10-foot paintings to hang in new North Tower

If you have been following along with my blog this year, you know I have been working on a giant, 3-part commission for the Methodist Hospital in Houston. It's been all-consuming! The second 10-foot painting (of three) was delivered and installed in early June, but I got distracted by the third one, and life in general, so my posting about it got delayed! Better late than never, I say! 

Today, I will begin by showing several process shots, so that you can see how the painting developed from the beginning to the end. I'll be sharing different aspects of the overall process as the week goes on (including close ups and the smaller study I worked from), so please stay tuned!!!!

I began with a sepia tone painted block-in. This first step established my composition and value patterns of light and dark. It became my road map for the rest of the process.

Because the canvas was so large, I worked in sections to cover the canvas. At this phase, I was trying establish the best average value and color range, and focused on large shapes and masses rather than detail.

The middle section... more large shapes and masses.

The last section... shapes, masses. As the canvas filled up, I started comparing areas and thinking about how I would adjust them.

In the final stage, I painted broke up the masses with subtle color and value shifts. This is when the details emerged and final pops of light were placed. The photos are painfully small for such a huge subject, so it's hard to see what I am talking about, I know. 

This gives you a sense of the scale... AND a sense of my joy at being finished! 

Click HERE to see painting #1 of 3.

Two David Sorg Easels set up side by side hold my 10 foot canvas.

Fruited Valley - Haggin Museum Show with American Women Artists

Fruited Valley, 24 x 30, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2018

American Women Artists Museum Show

SOLD

I am so proud to be part of the American Women Artists exhibit at the Haggin Museum in Stockton, CA, which opens on tomorrow! Unfortunately, I am unable to attend the opening, but I'm thrilled that my piece sold in a pre-sale! It will be on display for the duration of the show. 

American Women Artists Illuminate the Haggin Museum

Haggin Museum, Stockton, CA

August 2 - September 16

Reception August 2, 6-8pm

A little bit of information about the show...

"For this exhibition, members of American Women Artists (AWA) were asked to create artwork that was inspired by a selection of 11 paintings from the Haggin Museum’s 19th – 20th-century art collection including works by William Merritt Chase, Albert Bierstadt, Rosa Bonheur, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and other notable artists. AWA artists have taken their inspiration from the work of art, the artist’s greater body of work, or the theme of the painting."

My own piece was inspired by the simple, but powerful composition of Jan Monchablon, a French painter from the late 1800's...

Early Afternoon by Jan Monchablon, 1886

See the entire AWA show HERE