Rock Passage - painting in Laguna Beach!!

Rock Passage, 12 x 10, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2019

SOLD

Last week I had a wonderful opportunity to do some painting in Laguna Beach, CA! SUCH fun!! It's a beautiful place and there is a compelling view in every direction. The hard part, as always, was choosing what to paint and how much to include. This iconic rock formation is probably the most painted spot there, but I couldn't resist giving it a go. 

Here is my set up from the overlooking cliff...

2019 PLEIN AIR WORKSHOP INFO:

Nov. 8-9, 2019 - Austin, Texas

Contemporary Austin Art School 

FULL - Register for waitlist Here 

2020 PLEIN AIR WORKSHOP INFO:

March 30-April 2, 2020 - Wimberley, Texas

Contact Helena Hauk, Wimberley Artists Workshops, 800-327-1913

April 16-18, 2020 - St. Simons Island, Georgia

Contact Mary Anderson, Anderson Fine Art Gallery, 912-634-8414 

Local Harvest

Local Harvest, 8 x 16, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2019

Painted for solo show "Beaches, Birds and Botanicals"

SOLD at Anderson Fine Art Gallery

When my neighbors' orange tree was producing so much fruit they couldn't eat it all, they graciously let me come in and do a little harvesting of my own. I love to paint fruit that has just been picked, especially when the leaves are still on it! I also love this color combination... orange and turquoise - delish! Thank you, HC!!

Golden Beach Path

Golden Beach Path, 30 x 40, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2019

Available at the Anderson Fine Art Gallery

At this time of year, grasses in the landscape begin to differentiate. This is when we get to see the golds and reds pop out, offering a beautiful contrast to all the greens. I absolutely LOVE the opportunity to work that glow into my work!!! 

Just for fun, here is the block in for this piece. I know I am like a broken record on this, but finding the composition and values before tackling color really helps hold the scene. For me, it's a road map.

Block in using Ultramarine and Burnt Sienna...

a good way to start! 

Ever Expanding

Ever Expanding, 18x24, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2019

SOLD

This scene is classic Texas Hill Country. Cactus families here are very prolific and once they get established, they just take off (or they take over, however you want to look at it!) I spotted this meadow from my car, and something about the light, and the fence, the the sunlit grasses made me stop the car and go back. I was actually heading home at the end of a painting day, so I couldn't set up my easel. BUT... I do believe this is what that iPhone camera is for! ;)

WORKSHOP INFO:

Fall Plein Air Workshop at Contemporary Austin Art School, Nov. 8-9, 2019

FULL - Register for waitlist Here 

Ever Surrounded - Big Pink Blanket of Love

Ever Surrounded, 36 x 24, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2019

SOLD at the Davis Gallery, Austin, Texas

in the Big Pink Blanket of Love exhibit

Saturday night brought out a great crowd of friends and supporters for the opening of the Davis Gallery "Big Pink Blanket of Love" show, honoring Jan Heaton and the memory of her daughter Kristin Peabody. It was truly an evening of love all around. Thanks to all who came out!

10% of all sales goes to cancer research through the Peabody Fund. 

Jan Heaton (facing camera) with friends at 

Big Pink Blanket of Love Exhibit

DETAIL OF THE BIG PINK BLANKET OF LOVE

Collaboration of over 60 artists, 

154 four inch hand-painted squares,

Hand-stitched together and framed by the Davis Gallery,

A beautiful and amazing piece!!! 

This piece will ultimately be donated to The Art of Giving fundraiser, benefitting the Dell Children's Hospital in Austin. I am so proud to be a part of it!

Ever Brilliant - and a special group show

Ever Brilliant, 24 x 24, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2019

SOLD at the Davis Gallery - Big Pink Blanket of Love show

BIG PINK BLANKET OF LOVE

Davis Gallery Group Show 

837 West 12th Street, Austin, Texas

September 14 - October 12

Reception September 14, 7-9 pm

I am honored to be a part of this unique group show in support of Davis Gallery's own Jan Heaton, a dear friend and one of Austin's premier watercolorists. In February of 2019 Jan's daughter, Kristin Peabody, was taken by an aggressive cancer she had battled for 10 years. In place of the solo exhibition that was scheduled for Jan, Davis Gallery and Austin's artistic community are banding together in solidarity to fight cancer and find strength. 

What is the Big Pink Blanket of Love?

Over 60 artists have contributed 4x4 inch squares of their own original artwork, in an overall pink palette. These squares have been hand-stitched together to create a pink quilt, symbolizing the community's compassion, strength, and friendship. The idea is derived directly from Kristin's own feeling that the love she received over the course of her treatments felt like a "big, warm, pink blanket of love". Here is a sneak peek... 

In addition to this collaborative quilt, an extended group show focused on love, gratitude, and family will feature original artwork by Jan Heaton and over twenty other artists.

How are we fighting cancer with this show?

Ten percent of all proceeds from this exhibit will be donated to the Peabody Fund, a project set up in direct response to Kristin Peabody's ambition to help develop innovative work in cancer research through the San Diego Center for Personalized Immunotherapy. The "big pink blanket of love" collaborative quilt will be donated to the Dell Children's Medical Center's annual fundraiser, "The Art of Giving" which benefits thousands of young cancer patients.

I am so excited for the unveiling of the BIG PINK BLANKET OF LOVE, and I hope you will join us at the reception. Art heals.

Tropical Overflow - Starting with a Preliminary Sketch

Tropical Overflow, 24 x 24, Oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2019

From solo show, "Beaches, Birds, and Botanicals"

Available at Anderson Fine Art Gallery

When I received this gorgeous flower arrangement from my sweet husband, I knew I would HAVE to paint it. I loved how the orchid blossoms bent and wandered freely into the light, while the many plant stems were tightly compressed in the shadow of the jar. As is often my practice, I pulled out a sketchbook to capture the parts that interested me...

Tropical Overflow, graphite sketch, 10x10

Doing a sketch helps me get the shapes and essence of a subject in my eye. Sometimes I'll make several sketches, until I find the composition I like best.

 Moving with wet paint onto the larger canvas, I first try to capture the profile only of the smaller image I want to paint. I keep my first marks light and outline-y (avoiding all detail) until I know I have positioned the whole subject correctly. 

Within that profile "envelope", I build out the values of the various elements of the subject. Having this underpainting as my block-in helps me hold on to the darks and lights as I add in color. 

Final painting, "Tropical Overflow", 24 x 24, L. Daniel

WORKSHOP INFO:

Fall Plein Air Workshop at Contemporary Austin Art School, Nov. 8-9, 2019

FULL - Register for waitlist Here 

Southern Beauties

Southern Beauties, 18 x 18, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2019

Sold in solo show, "Beaches, Birds and Botanicals"

Anderson Fine Art Gallery

Great news! St. Simons Island was spared by the hurricane. So grateful! However, it did go on to smatter those farther up the coast, so prayers for safekeeping continue. Here are some southern flowers in honor of friends down there who have weathered the storm. Hydrangeas are everywhere in the south... they are such a happy sight! 

Join me for an upcoming workshop...

Fall Plein Air Workshop at Contemporary Austin Art School, Nov. 8-9, 2019 - Register Here

Crossing The Causeway and a prayer for the Golden Isles

Crossing the Causeway, 24x 30, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2019

Sold in solo show, "Beaches, Birds and Botanicals"

Anderson Fine Art Gallery

This marsh scene is part of my daily travels when I am in St. Simons Island, GA... very familiar and greatly beloved. Today this quiet creek faces the wrath of Hurricane Dorian. It could be completely changed by flooding rains, devastating high winds and the predicted storm surge. One weather person described Dorian as an "80 mile wide bowling ball of 100 mph winds, rolling up the eastern seaboard". That is quite an image to think about. We are waiting and watching, and praying for the safety of all in its path. 

Join me for an upcoming workshop...

Fall Plein Air Workshop at Contemporary Austin Art School, Nov. 8-9, 2019 - Register Here