Flying High - Fix It Friday #21

Flying High, 16 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2020

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TGIF!! Or, should I say, TGIF-I-F!!! I do love fix it Friday.

This is a painting from last fall that kept catching my attention. I liked it, but something was off and I didn't know what it was. That "nudge" became crystal clear after my last post about finding depth in a painting. (Be careful what you preach... it may come back to haunt you!) ;)

Here's why...

BEFORE

AFTER

CHANGES

Problem - The sky plane was... flat! The cloud layers all had the same treatment of light, shadow, shape, and color. 

Fix - Created scale shift between foreground clouds (made bigger) and background clouds (made smaller). 

Fix - Removed contrast from background clouds (made them more muted, less highlights).

Fix - Added contrast to foreground clouds (gave more color, stronger highlights).

Fix - Increased gradation of blue sky from muted at the horizon to more intense at top.

Problem - Ground plane was also a bit flat.

Fix - Added marsh creek into layers to create a sense of space and depth. (It breaks up the marsh grass and reflects the sky.)

OBSERVATIONS

I remember this day, I was in the moment, responding and having fun. It is so easy to forget principles when we are in the thick of things. And, sometimes it takes awhile for awareness to catch up. Now, I can relax into the scene when I look at it! Ah...

Backyard Rest Stop - Fix It Friday #17

Backyard Rest Stop, 16 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2020

Todays makeover is one from the archives, and it's a good lesson in composition (on what NOT to do). I was drawn to this cozy scene in my backyard for it's familiarity, good vibes, and simple one-point perspective. I also wanted some practice observing perspective and architecture, so I gave it a go. (It was also raining and this was the only place to paint, and stay dry.)

BEFORE

AFTER

CHANGES:

Problem 1 - All the perspective lines led the viewer's eye right past my subject.

Fix - Added a railing to contain the eye within the porch area.

Fix - Made the coffee table edges curvy, to slow down the "racetrack" effect.

Fix - Lushed up my subject (added more flowers, warmed up color, added more suggested detail.)

Problem 2 - Overall tone was drab and flat.

Fix - Popped some warm light onto bricks.

Fix - Warmed up white window frames and siding.

OBSERVATIONS:

Lines of perspective can have a very strong directional impact. They can be like pointing arrows. In this case, my goal was to create a scene that the viewer would sit down in, and want to stay for awhile. Wouldn't it have been great if all the lines were pointing to my sitting area?? That wasn't happening. 

We want to use built-in lines of perspective (and other elements) to take the viewer TO our focal point... NOT away from it. What I learned from this one is to pay attention to where the "lines" are pointing, and be intentional about how I use them. 

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(I'm honored to be teaching in the Pre-Event Beginner's workshop! Look for me there!)

Seaworthy

Seaworthy, 16 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2017

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This past weekend I made a quick trip down to St. Simons Island, and that almost always means some good painting time outside! It's fun to just start driving and see what inspires. Boats always catch my eye and sailboats have a special romance. Even though I don't even know how to sail, I sure do love the look of them! This one was docked and ready for a run... fortunately, it stayed put for the duration of my painting. :)

For those of you who have kindly inquired, ours and our family's homes were all spared any damage in Hurricane Irma. There was quite a bit of flooding on the island, and many trees were stripped and burned by the salt winds. The island was closed for almost a week, but I am happy to report that all is now calm. These storms are scary. 

Cafe De Flore

Cafe De Flore, 16 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2017

Auction Donation - Huntsville Museum of Art, Huntsville, AL

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This cafe scene is all about the leisurely joy of lunching with friends. Do we EVER make enough time for that in our lives? I don't think so. Here's to slowing down more often. A cuppa al fresco does wonders for the soul!

Available at the Huntsville Museum of Art Gala and Art Auction - March 4, 2017.

Silverleaf Sunflowers, 16 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

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I was originally drawn to this scene by these whimsical, crazy-tall sunflowers... then I noticed the dramatic shadows on the cottage. It was fun to find a composition that included both elements, and a delightful way to celebrate the first day of Fall!

Please join me for my last workshop of the year...

En Plein Air: Strong Starts, November 6-8, 9am-1:30pm
Register @ The Contemporary Austin Art School

Cottage Corner - Anderson Gallery show wrap up!

Cottage Corner, 16 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2014

SOLD at the Anderson Fine Art Gallery

When I set about to paint my "marsh to beach" series, I knew this beach house corner would be included. It radiates a timelessness and history that take me back to my first visits to St. Simons Island 35 years ago. The golden isles have had a piece of my heart ever since. 

Below are some pictures of the Anderson Gallery on opening night. I wish you all could have been there, it was a wonderful evening. You can see the full body work on my website by clicking HERE.

 

 

Quick pictures Mary Anderson in the gallery before the opening. 

Beachside Solarium - Anderson Gallery Exhibit

Beachside Solarium, 16 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2014

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I know I have sounded like a broken record about this upcoming solo show, but I am excited about it! Thank you for letting me share my paintings these last few weeks, and thank you for all your words of encouragement. 

The opening is tomorrow night and here are details:

Marshside to Seaside

Anderson Fine Art Gallery

St. Simons Island, Georgia

April 25-May 24

Reception May 25, 6-8pm

View the entire body of work on my website, HERE.

The Villa and fall classes in Austin!

The Villa, 16 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2013

This lovely villa is the prominent feature at the Art School where I teach painting - one of my favorite places in Austin. When I painted this scene on the grounds a few weeks ago, I was delighted to see hordes of children there for summer art classes. It's thrilling and reassuring to see young "creatives" hard at work becoming the next generation of artists. 

When I asked some of them what they were taking, I got the funniest answers. One little girl answered that she "does it all" and has known "all her life" that she wants to be an artist. She was about 8... such confidence! Another one opened up her pink backpack and showed me what she was literally "taking" (as in, taking with her to the class). After all, who doesn't need their pink lunchbox, pink hairbands, and pink lip gloss for an afternoon drawing class? Ask a silly question... :)

Painter Friends in Austin, registration for fall classes begins today. I would love to see you out painting - Wednesdays at 9! :) Click here to register: The Art School.

Summer Hollyhocks - Door County Plein Air Festival

Summer Hollyhocks, 16 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2013

On Day 2 of the Door County Plein Air Festival, I spent the morning at the Edgewood Orchard Galleries in Fish Creek. Edgewood is a most beautiful gallery that is bursting with amazing artwork and surrounded by gardens that are truly inspirational. These hollyhocks were my favorite...

In the afternoon, I hightailed it to a spot I had found before the festival started. I knew the sun would light up this little shop at the end of the day, and that some fun, dramatic shadows would be in the mix. I was not disappointed when I got there. This piece sold at the gala to a sweet family who followed the festivities and encouraged me all week. The painting will be going off to college with their oldest daughter in the fall. That makes me soooo happy! All my best to Miss T.S.!

The Blue Door, 12 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2013

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Backyard Rest Stop

Backyard Rest Stop, 16 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2013

On Monday, I really wanted to paint outside, but it rained all day long. Water is much needed in these parts, so no complaints! I decided to stay home and paint in my own back yard. It was quite pleasant (and oddly relaxing) to watch the showers come and go while I stayed dry under the covered patio.

Cloud Billows - Georgia Coast

Cloud Billows, 16 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2013

(For more info on this piece, click on the title)

After a brief July 4th hiatus, I am back with just a few remaining images from my trip to St. Simons Island, Georgia. Marsh scenes like this one with big, active skies are plentiful in that part of the country. There is something about those low country colors that just gets me every time I see them! It's a wonder I don't drive off the road sometimes. 

River Boat - Georgia Coast

River Boat, 16 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2013

This elegant river boat sits at the end of a quiet little marina just over the causeway to Jekyll Island (about 30 minutes from St. Simons). While I was painting, two young boys who were on a houseboat trip with their grandparents kept a close eye on my progress. They peppered me with rapid-fire questions... "Will you put in the bridge? Is that your boat? How long have you painted? Do you sell your paintings? How much will this cost? What is the biggest painting you have ever painted? How much was THAT one? Will you put in the other boats? Why didn't you paint the other end of the dock?" 

The boys must have been listening, because later they brought over their grandparents and gave them the entire spiel, complete with prices and explanations about how I had edited the scene. It was pretty funny to hear one of them point out quite logically, "she left out the bridge, grandma, because including it would take our eyes off the boat."

Marsh Breeze

Marsh Breeze, 16 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2013

Standing on the edge of the marsh is delightful when there is a breeze blowing across the water. It keeps the humidity and mosquitos away (two very important functions). The morning I painted this scene I had breeze AND shade, and it was absolutely heaven!

Side note: I will be painting on St. Simons Island on the Georgia coast for the next few weeks. (St. Simons has been an important family gathering place for many years.) I will be posting a little more often during this time. Please read along and join me in my daily painting adventures.

Pink Room

Pink Room, 16 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2013 - SOLD

Interiors... I have been interested in trying to capture the angles and intimacies of private spaces for a long time but I haven't ever gotten around it. Fear? Maybe. After taking the workshop with Colley Whisson a couple of weeks ago (he does gorgeous ones), I was inspired to try a few of my own. I have always collected photos of rooms with interesting light and cool perspectives, so I had some resources to jump right in. This is one of the bedrooms at the French Legation here in Austin. More to come!

Garden Gazebo

Garden Gazebo, 16 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2013

We have had some deliciously warm days here and the botanical garden has been a great place to enjoy them. As I was painting this scene, a little family came by with their grandma who was visiting from Chicago. As her sweet granddaughters led the way through the park, grandma was just so happy to be outside, taking in the warmth and sun before heading back to the northern climes. Summer in January... it's hard not to love.