Seaworthy

Seaworthy, 16 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2017

Available (click for purchase info)

This past weekend I made a quick trip down to St. Simons Island, and that almost always means some good painting time outside! It's fun to just start driving and see what inspires. Boats always catch my eye and sailboats have a special romance. Even though I don't even know how to sail, I sure do love the look of them! This one was docked and ready for a run... fortunately, it stayed put for the duration of my painting. :)

For those of you who have kindly inquired, ours and our family's homes were all spared any damage in Hurricane Irma. There was quite a bit of flooding on the island, and many trees were stripped and burned by the salt winds. The island was closed for almost a week, but I am happy to report that all is now calm. These storms are scary. 

Old Bait Dock - Georgia Coast

Old Bait Dock, 12 x 16, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2013

This old dock has definitely seen some better days, and I am guessing it has also seen some interesting history. It's fun to imagine. Along the coast of Georgia rivers like this one ribbon their way through the marshes, connecting the islands and communities of the low country. They are dotted with docks, both new and old, but I have a special affinity for the ones that have a little more patina on them. 

Brewing Storm Study

Brewing Storm Study, 8 x 16, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012

Rain on the Georgia marshes is a beautiful sight. There is nothing quite like the sight of storm clouds broiling up on the horizon... the breeze and salt air start swirling around... and you can just smell it. By the end of this painting, my brushes were flying - fast and furiously! But I did beat the downpour. This time.

REMINDER TO LISTEN: 

"ARTISTS HELPING ARTISTS" BLOG-TALK RADIO HOSTS ARE INTERVIEWING ME!

Thursday, June 21, live at 9 am PST (that's 12 noon EST)

Click HERE to hear it live OR whenever it's convenient later. 

Once the interview is over you will be able to listen to the recording anytime.

Fishing Boats

Fishing Boats, L. Daniel, 12 x 16

I loved this turquoise boat docked on the river. The light was hitting it "just so" and the tide was swirling beside it. For those who know this area, I was under the bridge on Jekyll Island and after painting, we had a lovely lunch on the wide outdoor porch at Sea Jay's! Life is good! :)

Abandoned Dock 2

Abandoned Dock 2, L. Daniel, 18 x 36

This is one of my favorite places. It's one of the first sights I see upon arrival at the Georgia coast; a sight that causes all those feelings of excitement that come with beach vacations and long anticipated getaways. It never ceases to inspire.

Available in my upcoming show at the Davis Gallery.

Please visit my website for a preview of all my paintings in the exhibit.

Read a review of my show in American Art Collector April issue (p. 104).

Dock with Umbrella Value Study

Dock with Umbrella, L. Daniel, 8 x 10

My friend Cindy has a great lake house that her grandfather bought many years ago. Several generations have enjoyed the property, each adding new memories. I have been lucky to paint here many times, but painting it in black and white was a new experience. I really loved the brilliance of the sunlit umbrella and it's reflection in the water. (The big, fat #10 brush sure does keep me from getting fussy!)

Creek Stop (enlarged)

Creek Stop, L. Daniel, 20 x 24

.

This is a larger version of one of my field studies from Georgia. This marshland and creek is behind some ruins of an old estate on Cumberland Island. The whole island is a state park now and a herd of wild horses lives and runs free there. Pretty cool. It's a beautiful place.

Creek Stop (study)

Creek Stop (study), L. Daniel, 9 x 12

.

On Cumberland Island, I discovered this marshland creek while exploring around the ruins of an old mansion. I fully expected to paint something related to the ruins, but my affinity for old, sunbleached dockhouses won out! (There was also a delicious breeze coming off the creek that made standing there cool and bug-free - very delightful!!)

Demo at Anderson Gallery

Abandoned Dock - Demo painting, L. Daniel, 12 x 16

.

On Saturday I did the painting above in a live demonstration at Anderson Fine Art Gallery, my gallery here on St. Simons Island. I worked from the plein air study below, sharing my overall thinking about color, composition and process. My audience was encouraging and many of the folks were painters themselves. I really enjoyed their thoughtful questions and input (thanks to all of you who came!!!) .

.

Abandoned Dock, L. Daniel, 6 x 12, original plein air study

Painting Demonstration at Anderson Gallery

Mary Anderson (gallery owner) and me at Anderson Gallery

Abandoned Dock

Abandoned Dock, L. Daniel, 6 x 12

.

This is another crumbling old dock on the Frederica River that I fear will soon be gone. It is no longer in use and is beginning to cave in. I really love the romantic reminder of past enterprise... fishermen coming and going... fresh fish off to markets and restaurants... I hate to see it go away.

River Access

River Access, 12 x 16, L. Daniel

This old wooden dock sits on the main body of the Frederica River. It used to be home to big yellow pilot boats, but now sits empty. The rhythm of the vertical pilings and the spot of warm light on the building catches my eye every time I pass it. Stopping to paint was inevitable.