Bending Sea Grasses - Fix It Friday #9

Bending Sea Grasses, 40 x 30, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2020

SOLD

This large piece is making its way to the Anderson Fine Art Gallery, in St. Simons Island, GA, as soon as the fixed parts dry. While it sat curing after the first go round, I started having my doubts. Why did I stop? Why did I think it was done? Well... you know what happened next... back to the easel it went!

Here are the before and after shots, with thoughts about the changes...

BEFORE

 AFTER

CHANGES:

Problem 1 - The painting was cut in half visually, with all the action in the bottom half.

Fix 1 - Added height to the mass of clouds, extending them up past the horizontal midline.

Fix 2 - Added light reference into the top half with cloud highlights, connecting ground and sky planes.

Problem 2 - Same volume in the grasses and cumulous cloud mass is repetitive and monotonous.

Fix 1 - Added volume to the clouds to differentiate them from the grasses in shape.

Problem 3 - The "spit" of land on the horizon line was too dominant and contributed to the "cutting in half" issue. 

Fix 1 - Muted down the spit of land in color and in highlights... Made it "blend" better with the environment. 

OBSERVATIONS:

It's hard to completely change a painting this size. I'm not going to lie, I was scared. What if I was wrong? Why not leave well enough alone? But I knew I had to do it. I've heard it said that if we are not always on the verge of ruining everything, we are being too cautious. 

How the change began... a few dark blobs... so scary...

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

Sea Breezes and a great surprise!

Sea Breezes, 40 x 30, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2019

Sold at the Anderson Fine Art Gallery

Last week I shipped this painting to the Anderson Fine Art Gallery in Georgia, fresh off the easel. I was very happy with the piece and excited to be replenishing my inventory. What could be better? Well, here is what... my gallery's owner stuck it right in the window of the shop, and two hours later it was SOLD! Yeee Haw!!!! Such a wonderful surprise - Thank you new collectors, and thank you Anderson Gallery!!!!! :)

Hilltop Skies and Garden View

Hilltop Skies, 40 x 30, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2013 - SOLD

Garden View, 18 x 18, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2013 - SOLD

Here are two more paintings for my upcoming show (yes, I have been stock-piling). Hilltop Skies is a typical Hill Country field in springtime, filled with wildflowers and big clouds. I say "typical" but there is nothing ordinary about spring in Texas. I can never get enough. Garden View offers a similar riot of color, but from a cozy cottage on the coast of Georgia. Both scenes speak to me of the comfort and peace of home. And "home" comes in many forms for each of us. 

Landscapes: Interior-Exterior

Davis Gallery, Austin, Texas

Opens October 5th, 7-9pm

A Big Commission and a Big Upcoming Show!

Field of Bluebonnets, 40 x 30, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2013

SOLD

I know I have been a little AWOL, but I am back. :) I spent most of August hunkered down in the studio, working on a commission and lots of new work for a big upcoming show... 

First, the commission: This very large piece was commissioned by a patron who left Texas and wanted a painting to remember the big skies and prolific wildflowers of her home state. It was a delight to work on because these are things I love about Texas too, but more importantly, my clients were a complete joy. The painting is now happily installed, bringing a little bit of Texas to it's new home. 

Second, the show: I have been busily preparing a new body of work for my two-person show with fabulous artist, Sandra Langston, which opens at the Davis Gallery on October 5th, here in Austin. I will begin to post my work in the next few days, but wanted to let you know that it's coming. Below is a "Save the Date" - if you are near Austin, mark your calendar and please come. I do wish you could all come!