Ever Expanding

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

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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 

Beach Day's End

Beach Day's End, 18 x 24, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2017

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As I was considering the final touches on this painting, I couldn't escape an urge to add some life to the scene. In order to capture the depth of the beach and the height of the sky, I needed a human reference for scale. Below is a shot without the people, just so you can see the before and after. I was hesitant - I wasn't going for a figurative painting, and what if I screwed it all up? But the painting kept demanding something more so I went for it. I am glad I did... Those people added just the right dynamic, focus, and most of all, that missing sense of scale. It's good to respond to inner nudges, even if there is a little fear involved. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!

BEFORE

AFTER
Just a little bit of human reference shows how deep and wide the beach is.

Reading Porch - Show Tip #5

Reading Porch, 18 x 24, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2016

Available 

Scenes like this fall into the category of "places I would like to spend an afternoon". Just to fill out the dream a bit... it would be a perfect summer day, complete with a good book and a tall glass of lemonade... and of course there would be a nice, cool breeze wafting in! Oh yes, delightful!

Show Tip #5: Establish a Schedule

If you are like me, you have certain times of the day that are more productive than others. It just makes sense to analyze when those creative windows usually occur and schedule yourself to paint in them. Some people work better in the morning, some people work better at night, and some people need to work around family schedules. Whatever the circumstance, it helps to figure it out. Then, protect those windows with all you've got, and don't let phone calls or Facebook steal your prime time for creativity!

Here are links to other Show Tips:

Tip #1 - Stock up on Supplies
Tip #2 - Set up Deadlines
Tip #3 - Determine Subject Matter

Tip #4 - Work in Series

Painters - join me at this Plein Air Workshop:

April 28-30, Anderson Fine Art Gallery, St. Simons Island, GA

Contact Info: Mary Anderson, 912-634-8414

Afternoon on the Veranda - Show Tip #4

Afternoon on the Veranda, 18 x 24, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2016

Available

Exploring interiors has been a relatively recent interest of mine. I really enjoy working with the angles and ambience of places that people inhabit. Creature comforts and "home sweet home" come to mind. This scene was extra fun because of the little peek through the doors.

Show Tip #4 - Work in Series
Working in series (painting a group of paintings within a genre) is very helpful for my creative process, especially when I am trying to build a body of work. It gives me a personal sense of continuity and flow; and I believe it also leads to a continuity and dialogue between the pieces themselves.  What happens is that one painting leads to another, and lessons I learn in each can be reapplied and expanded upon. It keeps me focused. The painting above is the first in a small series of... yep, interiors! :)

Here are links to other Show Tips:
Tip #1 - Stock up on Supplies
Tip #2 - Set up Deadlines
Tip #3 - Determine Subject Matter

Painters - join me at this Plein Air Workshop:

April 28-30, Anderson Fine Art Gallery, St. Simons Island, GA

Contact Info: Mary Anderson, 912-634-8414

River Marsh - Enlarged Studio Version

River Marsh, 18 x 24, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2014

Available now at the Anderson Fine Art Gallery

After an intense period of plein air painting, I am often inspired to take some of my smaller pieces to a larger scale. The plein air study for this piece was only 6x8, and I just had a hankering to see it bigger. Sometimes I make changes as I scale up, and other times I simply try to recreate the same spirit captured in the original. This one falls into the latter category. I loved the scene small and I love it big. :)

Sea Passage - Enlarged Studio Version

Sea Passage, 18 x 24, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2014

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Sea Passage is an enlargement of one of my spring plein air pieces from the Georgia coast. This view caught my eye because it included marsh waters, the ocean, AND where the two flow together as the tide rises and falls. That confluence between rivers and the sea always intrigues me. It has it's own special eco-system and beauty. 

This piece is on display in the Davis Gallery summer group show - All Summer Long. The cool thing about this exhibit is that purchased work goes home with buyers immediately (instead of waiting until the end of the show for pick up). New pieces replace the sold work, and the show is constantly changing. If you are in town, please go visit the Davis Gallery, 837 W. 12th, Austin, TX.

Dune Walk - Anderson Gallery Exhibit

Dune Walk, 18 x 24, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2014

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There is nothing like a beach day… skip-hopping through the hot sand... the cool relief of the ocean breeze… the smell of suntan lotion… sandwiches on damp towels… castle building... hunting for sand dollars. The beach has a lure and excitement all its own and it hits me full on, every time I climb up over that last dune. 

This piece is headed to the Anderson Gallery for my solo show "Marshside to Seaside", April 24 - May 25, St. Simons Island, Georgia. 

Golden Marshland - Anderson Gallery Exhibit

Golden Marshland, 18 x 24, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2014

SOLD at the Anderson Gallery

A few weeks ago, I posted a small study of this piece - so if it looks familiar, that's why. I love how the neutral toned marsh grasses come alive at the end of day. This painting one of several new works for my upcoming show, "Marshside to Seaside", all inspired by the golden isles on the Georgia coast. 

"Marshside to Seaside", Anderson Fine Art Gallery, April 24-May 25, St. Simons Island, GA

Click HERE to see more work for the show on my special website page.

Ruby Orbs (enlarged)

Ruby Orbs (enlarged version), 18 x 24, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2012

Available at the Davis Gallery

I have been on a pomegranate painting binge lately... I simply can not resist their shape and color and essence. This is the enlarged version of a study I posted last week; and is one of three paintings in a series that will be on display at the Davis Gallery Holiday Group Show. The exhibit opens this coming weekend and includes fabulous work by many of our gallery artists. If you are in town, please stop by for the reception on Saturday. I hope to see you there! 

Holiday Group Show

Davis Gallery, 837 W. 12th Street, Austin, Texas

Reception Saturday, December 8, 2012

7:00 - 9:00 pm