Turquoise Vase - Simple Shapes Before Detail

Turquoise Vase, 24 x 24, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2019

SOLD in solo show "Beaches, Birds and Botanicals"

I do love a vessel full of Hydrangeas, and I was very happy when a sweet young couple shared that love and snapped up this piece! It's fun to see young families picking mutual favorites, imagining a place on their walls, and thoughtfully building their art collections. Well... let's face it, it is fun to see ANYONE building their art collection!

For my painter friends out there, here is a tip I find most helpful...

I often talk about my general painting process, but with this piece I want to emphasize the importance of building your paintings on a foundation of big shapes and simple values. Why? Because working from simple to complex sets you up for a much more satisfying finish than diving straight into the details. AND, hydrangeas are a great subject to illustrate that principle. 

My block-in focuses on large shapes of shadow and light. 

I purposefully avoid the individual petals of the flowers... EVEN THOUGH there are millions of them. My goal at this point: authentic shapes, edges and profile.

Going to color, I hang on tightly to the simple shapes.

I keep the shadow and light families separated, and I am still avoiding individual petals! My goal at this point: a subject that is recognizable by shape before any "detail" is added. I often want to stop at this point because I love the simplicity (and sometimes I do!) ;)

At completion, details emerge but my foundational value shapes remain. 

I loosely suggest petal detail with subtle shifts within the light family, and 

subtle shifts within the shadow family. And never the twain shall meet (meaning, the two value ranges do not overlap much or at all.) In the end, the shadow and light patterns tell the story, not the details! (Click HERE to see the painting "details" in a high res image.)

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2019 PLEIN AIR WORKSHOP INFO:

November 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

Date is firm - details coming soon!

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

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

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"

SOLD

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 

Nature's Patterns

Nature's Patterns, 24 x 24, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2019

SOLD

This is another piece in the group show, Circadian Buzz. I know the word circadian typically refers to 24 hour cycles, but all of nature's cycles have an affect on us. With this painting, I chose to celebrate the longer, seasonal cycle of spring awakening. When our loquat trees burst forth with fruit each April, it's always new. I am transfixed by their color and fragrance, and must paint them. Something about the giant leaves and clustered golden orbs is endlessly compelling. I particularly loved the challenge of this unusual angle... separating the light on the tree limb from the dappled light on the ground was tricky! 

This piece is on display through August 31...

Circadian Buzz, Davis Gallery Group Show, Austin, TX

The small pieces below allowed me to study different angles before painting the big one. They are also in the show... of course, I wanted to paint all of them larger, but I had to choose! 

Dangled, 8x8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2019

SOLD

Dappled, 8 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2019

SOLD

Bunched, 8 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2019

SOLD

Marsh Birds - Show Tip #27

Marsh Birds, 24 x 24, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2016 

Sold in Solo Show, "Chasing Color, Finding Light", Davis Gallery

These magnificent birds of the marsh totally captivate me. Whether in flight, keeping watch, or fishing for dinner, their movements and behaviors are fun to observe. They are such beautiful creatures!!

If you have been following my blog for the last few months, you know that I am just a day away from my big gallery opening! In my Show Tips, I have tried to share what goes into planning and executing an art exhibit; from gathering supplies to scheduling time to marketing the work. All that is left now is to go and have fun, but I do have one more tip about that...

Show Tip # 27 - Tell Your Story!
Opening night of any show is the culmination of much work and personal revelation. It's natural to worry about how to use words to describe what we have already "said" in paint. Here is the thing to remember: no one knows our work better than we do, and it's up to us to be our own best advocates. Be ready to talk about inspiration, process and intention. Be ready to share what went into a piece, breakthrough moments, or even struggles encountered along the way. Opening night is an opportunity to tell our story. Don't be shy and don't hold back... and remember to soak up the love. 

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

Tip #5 - Establish a Schedule

Tip #6 - Be Kind to YOU

Tip #7 - Follow your Heart

Tip #8 - Stay Flexible

Tip #9 - Whistle While You Work

Tip #10 - Fight Through Fears

Tip #11 - Take Notes

Tip #12 - Know when to Quit

Tip #13 - Stay Updated

Tip #14 - Balance Effort and Ease

Tip #15 - Assign Tasks

Tip #16 - Step Back 

Tip #17 - Sign As You Go

Tip #18 - Take Your Best Shot

Tip #19 - Celebrate Growth

Tip #20 - Varnishing Day(s)

Tip #21 - Frame Incrementally

Tip #22 - Deep Six Your Doubts

Tip #23 - Get the Word Out

Tip #24 - Stay The Course

Tip #25 - Take Care of Business

Tip #26 - Deliver Safely (and on time)

Hillside Ridge - Show Tip #9

Hillside Ridge, 24 x 24, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2016

Sold in Solo Show, "Chasing Color, Finding Light", Davis Gallery

Texas skies always call to me. I have my favorite places to go on big sky days and this is one of them. To just BE in the landscape with giant clouds floating by is peaceful, calming and a reminder of the BIGness of it all. 

Show Tip #9 - Whistle While You Work
I think Snow White was on to something with this little ditty as she cleaned up the cottage for the The Seven Dwarfs. :) Pairing up a rhythmic activity to enhance and encourage work flow is a practice used by people in all professions (athletes, car mechanics, dentists, you name it). And it certainly works for me... if I have music or an audio book going in my studio while I paint, I am much more immersed in my work and way more likely to stay in the flow. My favorites are music with Pandora (you can pick a favorite artist and the app will populate a music station with music in that style) and Books by Audio (actors with great accents read unabridged books for hours of listening pleasure). And by the way, the act of listening engages the logical side of our brains, so that the intuitive side stays unencumbered for the creative process. Try it, it really works!

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

Tip #5 - Establish a Schedule

Tip #6 - Be Kind to YOU

Tip #7 - Follow your Heart

Tip #8 - Stay Flexible

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

Red Sky at NIght - Anderson Gallery Exhibit

Red Sky at Night, 24 x 24, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2014

The title of this painting comes from the old saying, "Red sky at night, sailor's delight, red sky at morning, sailor's warning; ." It seems to be true. In my experience, a red sky at night usually portends that a fabulous day will follow. Plus, what is not to love about a red sunset?? :)

Headed to my solo show… 

"Marshside to Seaside"

Anderson Fine Art Gallery, St. Simons Island, GA 

 April 25 - May 24 | Reception April 25, 6-8 pm

Click HERE to view entire show on my website. 

Seafaring Vessels - Anderson Gallery Exhibit

Seafaring Vessels, 24 x 24, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2014

SOLD at Anderson Fine Art Gallery

Well-loved boats, old docks and colorful reflections get me every time. I discovered this spot on Jekyll Island (on the Georgia coast) several years ago and have gone back to paint it from different angles several times. "Seafaring Vessels" was directly inspired by those delightful plein air moments. 

This piece will be on display in my solo show "Marshside to Seaside" at the Anderson Gallery on St. Simons Island, April 24 -May 25. Click HERE to see the entire show on my website. 

Evening Benediction and Twilight's Quickening Ray

 Evening Benediction, 24 x 24, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2013

Twilight's Quickening Ray, 18 x 36, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2013 - SOLD

Oh, the night sky... it keeps us looking up, doesn't it? I am always mesmerized as the sun sinks on the horizon. Each moment offers a different variety of colors and shapes, only to be topped by the next. It never ceases to amaze. 

These two paintings will be in my show, "Landscapes: Interior-Exterior", at the Davis Gallery in Austin, Texas. The opening reception is THIS Saturday, October 5, 7-9 pm. Please join us!

Skyworks and Kitchen Warmth

Skyworks, 24 x 24, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2013

Kitchen Warmth, 24 x 18, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2013

Places of warmth - both outside and inside - draw me hopelessly in. A field of golden grass, an exploding sky, a table streaked with sunbeams... each has the capacity to stop me in my tracks. And it's good to be stopped in my tracks once in awhile... 

These paintings will both be available in my upcoming show, "Landscapes: Interior-Exterior", opening October 5th at the Davis Gallery. 

Billowy Reflections and The Weekender

Billowy Reflections, 24 x 24, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2013 - SOLD

The Weekender, 24 x 18, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2013

Captured here are two Texas icons: the Guadalupe River which runs through the Hill Country and the Driskill Hotel in downtown Austin. Something about the color palette and the low focal point in each connects these two paintings. Sure, one is a nature scene and one is an interior, but both send the viewer's gaze (and the painter's gaze) into a thoughtful distance of repose. 

Morning Blessing and Capitol Glow - upcoming show!

Morning Blessing, 24 x 24, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2013 - SOLD

Capitol Glow, 18 x 18, oil on canvas © 2013

These two paintings will be in my upcoming show...

Landscapes: Interior-Exterior 

Opening October 5, 2013 at the Davis Gallery in Austin, Texas.

The show will include landscapes of nature (my usual) AND landscapes of daily life (I've branched out to include interiors, exteriors and cityscapes). Painting for this exhibit has been a stimulating time of artistic stretching and personal discovery for me. I have been pretty much hibernating for these last few weeks and months to get the work done. Sometimes shutting down all distractions is mandatory. :)

After much thought about how to share these paintings with you, I have decided to reveal two images at a time - each from a different category. I had fun pairing them up and hope you will enjoy seeing their commonalities and differences. Please stay tuned!