Awakened to Life - Davis Gallery Group Show

Awakened to Life, 30 x 24, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2019

On display in Davis Gallery Group Show, Austin, TX

SOLD

Please join me at the Davis Gallery for the opening of our holiday group show... 

Looking Out, Looking In

Davis Gallery Group Show, Austin, TX

Reception Saturday, December 7

7:00-9:00 pm

Runs through January 11, 2020

As usual, this show will be inspiring. Here is the description... 

Davis Gallery is pleased to announce Looking Out, Looking In, an extensive group exhibit focused on the personal philosophies of premiere Austin and Central Texas based artists. This amorphous concept allows artists to explore the theme freely, and in their own voice. Sacred Geometry, the importance of family, life and death, our connection to Nature, and spirituality are among the perspectives that artists have chosen to focus on. Each of the participating artists have created new work, or carefully chosen work from the past, which uniquely recognizes these concepts.

Flowering Shadows - with process shots!

Flowering Shadows, 30 x 24, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2019

SOLD

"Beaches, Birds, and Botanicals"

Solo show opens April 12, 2019

When I am painting a lot in the studio on larger works, I tend to be working from small studies and photographs as my source material. After awhile, I just want to paint from life. When the grocery store offered Agapanthus in the middle of winter, I knew it was time for a still life! It's offers a visual break and change of pace for my painter's brain. 

This is one of 25 new works that will be in the solo show next week.

Below are process shots that reveal how the painting came together. 

The block in.

Painting directly, wet into wet.

Finished piece.

The set up in my studio.

Twilight Closes In - Group Show December 15

Twilight Closes In, 30 x 24, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2018

SOLD

I am pleased to be presenting 3 paintings in the Davis Gallery holiday show. If you are nearby, please come join us!

Night Vision - Winter Group Show

Davis Gallery, Austin, Texas

December 15 - January 12

Reception December 15, 7-9 pm

  "Night Vision celebrates the artist's ability to see things many others seem to overlook. This exhibit focuses on spaces shrouded in darkness, the energies that lie beyond the visual spectrum, and allows the viewer to imagine what could exist 'in between'. Each artist has either created new work for this show, or carefully chosen work from the past, which uniquely recognizes Night Vision's concept." 

What do I see? Well, I can't help but notice that there is always a little bit of light, even in the darkest hour. When my eyes adjust, only the simplest shapes emerge, but the way is clear... soft, quiet, and dreamlike. 

Evening Song

Evening Song, 30 x 24, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2017

SOLD

A few weeks ago I posted a study for this larger work that is now on it's way to the Anderson Fine Art Gallery on St. Simons Island in Georgia!! On occasion, my heart breaks with the beauty of the low country and it's dramatic skies. I can never get enough! As I took this piece larger, I didn't want to lose any of that drama, and that required staying committed to the dark passages. Below is an image of my block-in, where I laid those darks in pretty boldly. 

Evening Song Block In

You may be wondering about that little passage of yellow... Early on in the block in, I used Indian Yellow to lay in some of the light areas. Indian Yellow is transparent, and is a perfect "place holder" for passages that will be that color. The transparency allows it to save the yellow areas without contaminating the darks that need to surround it. I used it to hold the spots higher up in the sky as well, I just forgot to take another photo. Try to imagine! :)

Beachfront Palms - Show Tip #19

Beachfront Palms, 30 x 24, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2016

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

H A P P Y   E A S T E R !!!

I used to be afraid to paint palm trees and now they are my favorite. What made the difference? Observing and practicing. For the last three years, my daughter and her family lived in Hawaii. My visits with them included many a foray outside, to plein air paint along the coast or at the beaches near their home. It was a perfect opportunity to study the behaviors and personalities of palm trees... and study I did! This scene is from the Georgia coast, where my palm lessons continue to be applicable. 

Show Tip #19 - Celebrate Growth

As I painted the scene above, I reflected on how I no longer avoid or "edit out" palm trees when I am painting. In fact, now I look for them and choose them as subjects! It made me happy to see that progress, and yes, I did a little happy dance! We all make little advances every day in whatever we are doing. Sometimes success is immediate and obvious, and other times it is slower and incremental. And there are also times when we are so intent on the next hurdle that we just forget to notice where we've been. It is really important to pay attention and give ourselves a pat on the back when we see growth. Look for it. It truly is cause for celebration (and great inspiration to keep going for that next hurdle). 

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

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

Regatta and Show Tip #15

Regatta, 30 x 24, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2016

SOLD

One day last spring I was out plein air painting and suddenly this regatta sailed by. It was a most beautiful sight but didn't last long (no chance of catching it in the moment). Thank goodness for phone cameras. I ran to the dock and was able to snap off several shots that helped me preserve the memory for this painting. So much fun.

Show Tip #15 - Assign Tasks

Whether you are having a solo show in a gallery or a group show at a restaurant, it's important to know who is doing what, and when. There is so much more involved than painting the canvases. It helps to make a list of all that needs to happen to produce the exhibit, and then make assignments with a detailed timeline. Getting everything done (and having it all come out even and on time) depends on early and constant communication with everyone on the team. And of course, it requires being diligent with those deadlines!

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

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

Summer House - Process Demo and Show Tip #11

Summer House, 30 x 24, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2016

Available

I happened upon this quaint summer home in Northern Wisconsin, in Door County to be exact. Lots of folks in the badger state have summer places up there and no wonder, it's a gorgeous getaway. I grew up in Wisconsin, and my family made many visits up that way to see family and to go camping. It's definitely a favorite place of mine! 

With this painting I made a point of taking photos at strategic stages, so that I could share some process notes with you...

Process Notes on Summer House

Sketchpad Drawing

I began with a quick 10x8 graphite sketch in my sketchbook. This helps me get the composition figured out and gives me a comfortable sense of the biggest shapes. 

Block-in Sketch 

This is my initial placement of the subject on canvas, using Ultramarine and Burnt Sienna. 

Block-in Values 

Indicating the darks (and leaving the lights untouched) helps me establish the foundation of my painting (still using ultramarine and burnt sienna).

Shadow Family 

Using the full palette, I painted the shadow family of everything in the painting. This helps me compare all the color and value within that shadow family and make sure it all "agrees". 

Light Family and Final Highlights 

Once the shadow family was working correctly, I was finally able to paint the light and color! It takes patience and a strong belief in delayed gratification to hold off on the fun stuff, but it's always worth it. 

Show Tip #11 - Take Notes!
When you figure something out (an "aha" moment or a breakthrough of any kind), write it down. I always think I will remember everything. Why wouldn't I? The truth is that I forget, sad but true, even some of life's most significant lessons. So I've learned to take notes about the important stuff, and the notes become little monuments to what I've learned. The good news? If I write something down enough times, eventually I get it memorized!  :)

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

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

Scattered Clouds - Exhibit at Davis Gallery

Scattered Clouds, 30 x 24, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2015

Available at Davis Gallery 

Davis Gallery's annual summer show opens officially this weekend with a reception on Saturday night. Unfortunately, I will have to miss the party for a wedding, but my paintings (including this one) will be there. Please stop by!

"A Summer Place Where We Can Go" Group Show

Davis Gallery, 837 West 12th, Austin, Texas

Reception June 27, 7-9 pm

On display through August 8.

Taking Flight

Taking Flight, 30 x 24, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2014

SOLD

As the sun rises at the ocean, birds gather attentively along the shore. Every now and then something startles them and they all take flight, only to circle back and resume their "watch". I love witnessing this early morning production. "Taking Flight" is now available at the Anderson Gallery on St. Simons Island, GA. 

Please come join me for these Upcoming Workshops:

January 22-24, 2015 | Still Life | Austin, Texas

March 26-29, 2015 | Plein Air | Austin, Texas

April 30-May 2, 2015 | Plein Air | St. Simons Island, GA

Cascading Cloud Bank - Anderson Gallery Exhibit

Cascading Cloud Banks, 30 x 24, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2014

SOLD at the Anderson Fine Art Gallery

Sometimes, cloud banks seem to literally pile up as they roll in over the beach. On this particular day, the banks got so high that the dunes and sea grasses were completely dwarfed below. I love it when the sky gets big like that. This piece is headed for my solo show on St. Simons Island - opening April 25th.

BTW - I will be teaching a plein air workshop in conjunction with my show, and I just got word that we've had a cancellation. If you are a last minute planner, this spot might be for you!! Details:

PLEIN AIR WORKSHOP: FROM MARSH TO SEASIDE

April 24 - 26, 2014, 9 am - 4 pm

St. Simons Island, Georgia

Register with Mary Anderson

www.andersonfineartgallery.com

Phone: 912- 634-8414 | Email: mand@mindspring.com