Villa Cypress - Demo 3

Villa Cypress, 12 x 6, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2017

Click to purchase $145 + $16 s/h

Choosing a subject... what to include, what to leave out? That is the question. This demo is about choosing between two interpretations of the same scene. The composition on the left is all about the statue as the main idea. The composition on the right is all about the tall cypress trees as the main idea. Both are valid, but I felt that they were two different paintings. 

To accentuate the cypress trees in today's post, I needed to focus on their height. Therefore, it was important to show that they were taller than the Villa (which has three stories). Using a tall, skinny format helped to further "push" the idea of height. I chose to leave out the sculpture completely, so that it would't distract from the main idea.

One scene, two ideas...

Calla Lily Bouquet - Twenty of 30 in 30

Calla Lily Bouquet, 12 x 6, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

#20 of 30 Day Challenge

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More Calla Lilies today... thinking about cutting them in the back yard for our dining room table, I had the urge to paint them in a nice, tall vase. NOW, they are going on the dining room table!  

Please join me for these upcoming Workshops:

March 26-29, 2015 | Plein Air | Click here to register: Austin, Texas

April 30-May 2, 2015 | Plein Air | Click here to register: St. Simons Island, GA

Hydrangea Bouquet - Sixteen of 30 in 30

Hydrangea Bouquet, 12 x 6, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

#16 in 30 Day Challenge

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Some subjects demand to be painted over and over again; and these Lily Hydrangeas fell into that category. The intimate close up was compelling (yesterday's painting), but then the full bouquet was equally tantalizing. I loved all the abstract shapes in the refracting water and lit up fringe of the flowers. 

Please join me for these upcoming Workshops:

January 22-24, 2015 | Still Life | Click here to register: Austin, Texas

March 26-29, 2015 | Plein Air | Click here to register: Austin, Texas

April 30-May 2, 2015 | Plein Air | Click here to register: St. Simons Island, GA

Abundant Hope - an auction of gratitude for my first full year of remission!

Abundant Hope, 12 x 6, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012

All proceeds go to breast cancer research and education.

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December 1, 2011 was the first day of my remission from breast cancer. The doctor declared my lumpectomy surgery a success, and the cancer was out. Hope doesn't get much more abundant than that! Twelve months later, I hold dear the lessons of that scary time and am very grateful to be on the other side of all the unknowns. And, it has been a wonderful year... one of the best yet. 

I thank God for this glorious anniversary; and thank all of you for keeping me in your thoughts and prayers, for sending notes of encouragement, and for offering sweet support in my time of need. It meant everything to me.

Please join me now in this auction to raise money for breast cancer research and education. It's easy and completely safe to bid. At the end of the 7-day auction, I will send the painting to you, and donate the proceeds to Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. It's win-win!

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