Wild Blue - Eve of my Solo Show!

 

Wild Blue, 30 x 40, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2020

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Tomorrow is the big day... my solo show opens at the Davis Gallery here in Austin, TX! It has been a long time coming and I am thrilled! :)

Click here for a wonderful write up in Fine Art Connoisseur! 

EVIDENCE OF THE SEARCH

NEW WORK BY LAUREL DANIEL

Davis Gallery, Austin, TX

October 24 - November 25

Artist Reception October 24, 4-8pm

COVID-safe, socially distanced reception...

30 min increments, 10 people at a time, masks required.

About this piece... As I prepare for a show, I like to hold off on the sharing of new paintings. I like to be able to let one piece lead to another, and present it all together as a body of work. (It just works better that way for so many reasons.) Because of that, I have been waiting to share this piece since early April so it's a little "out" of season. Oh well. I do love a "spring" frame of mind - any time. :) 

As you may or may not know, Texas is BEAUTIFUL at that time of year! Wildflowers pop up on every roadside (almost overnight) and we have an ever-changing parade of color that begins with this electric blue. When the bluebonnets return, there is collective excitement. It marks an awakening to new beginnings and fresh life. In this strange year, we needed that reminder more than ever!

Distant Shore - Fix It Friday #14

Distant Shore, 30 x 40, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2020

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This was another large-scale "make-over" project... As I shared a few weeks ago, changes can can be scary, particularly when I have worked long and hard on a distinctly large piece. My fearful voice whispers, "leave well enough alone", while my bold voice cheers and cajoles, "don't be a wimp, go for it!!"

BEFORE

AFTER

CHANGES:

Problem 1 - The scene lacked the sense of depth I was going for.

Fix 1 - Enlarged the foreground clouds. This not only brought them closer (which helped push back the distant shore), it also provided the "reason" for such extensive beach shadows.

Fix 2 - Defined the distant figures to help reinforce the sense of scale.

Problem 2 - The sky lacked movement and drama.

Fix 1 - Gave the clouds more action by breaking up the edges.

Fix 2 - Added more layers of stratus clouds in the distance to enhance sense of movement.

OBSERVATIONS:

So what was I going for?? I wanted to capture that expansive, immenseness of nature's elements. I think I got a little closer in the second version, but it's a never ending pursuit. Creation is wonderfully grand.

Click Here to see Fix It Friday #1

Click Here to see Fix it Friday #2 

Click Here to see Fix it Friday #3

Click Here to see Fix it Friday #4

Click Here to see Fix it Friday #5

Click Here to see Fix it Friday #6

Click Here to see Fix it Friday #7

Click Here to see Fix it Friday #8

Click Here to see Fix it Friday #9

Click Here to see Fix it Friday #10

Click Here to see Fix it Friday #11
Click Here to see Fix it Friday #12
Click Here to see Fix it Friday #13

Golden Beach Path

Golden Beach Path, 30 x 40, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2019

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At this time of year, grasses in the landscape begin to differentiate. This is when we get to see the golds and reds pop out, offering a beautiful contrast to all the greens. I absolutely LOVE the opportunity to work that glow into my work!!! 

Just for fun, here is the block in for this piece. I know I am like a broken record on this, but finding the composition and values before tackling color really helps hold the scene. For me, it's a road map.

Block in using Ultramarine and Burnt Sienna...

a good way to start! 

Distant Shore

Distant Shore, 30 x 40, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2019

from solo show "Beaches, Birds, and Botanicals"

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Here is another beach walking memory... and it was all about that little pop of light on the distant shore. Or, maybe it was about the distant shore on beyond that pop of light. This wide expanse seems to go on forever, and there is always something new in the distance to catch my attention and follow! Just a little farther...

Click HERE to see larger version.

Join me for an upcoming workshop...
Fall Plein Air Workshop at Contemporary Austin Art School, Nov. 8-9, 2019 - Register Here

Drifting Dunes

Drifting Dunes, 30 x 40, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2019

Sold in solo show, "Beaches, Birds, and Botanicals"

Anderson Fine Art Gallery

I love the beach, especially when it glows in the early morning sunlight. It has a nourishing quietness that can sustain the rest of the day... one of those things that elicits the phrase, "if only we could bottle that up!" Painting is one way for me to do just that. It's my own private bottling factory that allows me to revisit some of my favorite moments.

Join me for an upcoming workshop...
Fall Plein Air Workshop at Contemporary Austin Art School, Nov. 8-9, 2019 - Register Here

Craggy Shore and a winter group show in Austin!

Craggy Shore, 30 x 40, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2018

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This painting is an enlargement from a small plein air study I did a year or so ago. It was the perfect subject for our current group show, "In Depth", at the Davis Gallery here in Austin. For this exhibit, each gallery artist was asked to consider the 5th element of art - space - as we created works to be included. I always get a sense of HUGE space when I stand at the edge of the ocean. In this scene, the rhythmic pattern of the rocks and water disappearing into the distance helped to tell the story of that vastness.

Below: this painting ended up in the gallery window for the show! YAY! Here is a shot taken from outside after the opening reception. The show is up through February 24th. If you are anywhere near Austin, please drop by!

Also in the Davis Gallery show: 

Beach Cove Overlook, 18 x 36, oil on canvas. 

See blog post on this piece. 

Free to Roam, 18 x 18, oil on canvas.

See blog post on this piece. 

Sifting Light and Final Show Tip!

Sifting Light, 30 x 40, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2016

SOLD in solo show - "Chasing Color, Finding Light"

April 23 - June 4, 2016 at the Davis Gallery in Austin, TX

Dear friends and blog followers... in these past months of show preparation, so many of you have reached out to me with kind words of encouragement. Your virtual pats on the back have brightened days of solitude and kept me going. For that, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. My opening reception was fabulous - the turnout and response were great and I sold a bunch too! I was pleased beyond expectation!

Show Tip #28 - Keep up the Momentum

I know it's odd to end this list on #28, but there you have it... we have reached the end! One thing I am thinking about is, how can I keep up the artistic flow that comes with living and breathing art? Even though my pace will ease up a bit, I believe the answer to that question is to employ the same tactics found in these tips... set deadlines for myself, make a schedule, be disciplined, and generally keep up the momentum! I guess it's time to go back to #1 and stock up on supplies again! ;)

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)

Tip #27 - Tell Your Story

Tomorrow my workshop on St. Simons Island starts... I'm looking forward to working with a great group of artists and painting en plein air in the golden isles!

Sunrise Glow - Show Tip #25

Sunrise Glow, 30 x 40, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2016

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

Sunrise at the beach, well, what beats that? The promise of a new day, the sound of ocean waves and coastal birds, and that unmistakable golden light... all fabulous reasons to get up and out there. :)

Show Tip #25 - Take Care of Business

Keeping track of the details for any show is critical. Before I drop my new paintings at the gallery, I will make an inventory/price list to go with them. My list will include the title, size, medium, price and date finished for each piece. This is not just important for me, it's also important for whoever is curating the show. My gallery uses this list for labels, sales and marketing; and it is constantly referenced throughout the duration of the show. In addition, I label the back of each piece with that same information, plus my name. I keep everything as consistent as possible to avoid confusion. Incomplete or sloppy information makes their job harder, if not impossible. So, I'm making the list and checking it twice (or thrice). 

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

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

Golden Memories - The Progression of a Commission

Golden Memories, 30 x 40, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2016

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Toward the end of last year, I was commissioned to do a very large painting as a Christmas gift. Commissions are not my favorite thing to do, but I am a hopeless romantic and my client's request was too compelling to pass up! He wanted a painting of the spot where he proposed to his wife at sunset - overlooking Lake Austin - while they were students at UT in the late 80's. After graduation, they moved away, had a family, and their own children are now in college. All these years later, he wanted to surprise her with that scene. Well... how could I say no? 

To make things more interesting, the scene itself is now completely overgrown with trees and shrubbery. The view is gone, and my client didn't have a photograph! Remember the days when we were not obsessively snapping photos on our phones, documenting every activity? Here's the great part - he remembered the colors and the angles, EVERYTHING really... including where the sun went down on the horizon!!! 

As most commissions go, there was a lot of collaboration back and forth, all by computer (since we were working long distance). Between the two of us - using his incredible memory and my research of other spots on that same hillside - we came up with "Golden Memories". Many thanks, MZ, and may the golden memories be always with you!

Here are a few outtakes from our process...

Composition Study, 8 x 10, graphite on paper

This was the final pencil sketch for the design and composition of the painting. I did 7-8 versions before we settled on this one.

Color Study, 9 x 12, oil on panel

As with the composition, the color study underwent several corrections and adjustments. (We even tried adding some bluebonnets, but decided to leave them out in the final.)

Underpainting, 30 x 40, acrylic on canvas

This acrylic underpainting allowed me to get approval for placement and shapes before diving in with oils. I don't usually include this step when painting large work on my own, but it was very helpful for staying on the same page with my client.

Golden Memories, 30 x 40, oil on canvas, L.Daniel © 2016

I had quite a lot of fun working on this, and was very glad I took it on. Receiving the "well done, brushes down" confirmation from my client brought me great joy!

The framed piece. 

H A P P Y   N E W   Y E A R !