Big Commission - In Situ!

A Capitol Evening (detail), 60 x 72, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2017

Commissioned for the Dell Seton Medical Center, University of Texas

SOLD

Those who followed my posts at the start of the year will remember that I painted my largest painting ever, for the new teaching hospital at the University of Texas. It was a terrifying, but wonderful challenge for me. Well, I have an update. This past weekend, the Medical Center threw a grand opening party for the public to view the new facility. Below are pictures of my painting "in situ". That grin on my face lasted all day! (Okay, I am still glowing a bit.) I am honored and grateful beyond words to have my work showcased in this great institution of healing. 

Click HERE for original post on this piece. (The other two paintings I did for them were not viewable at the reception as some areas were closed off... no pics of those.)

Cafe De Flore

Cafe De Flore, 16 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2017

Auction Donation - Huntsville Museum of Art, Huntsville, AL

SOLD

This cafe scene is all about the leisurely joy of lunching with friends. Do we EVER make enough time for that in our lives? I don't think so. Here's to slowing down more often. A cuppa al fresco does wonders for the soul!

Available at the Huntsville Museum of Art Gala and Art Auction - March 4, 2017.

Second of Three Commission Paintings for New Medical Center

Capitol Profile, 34 x 44, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2017

Second of three commissions for Dell Seton Medical Center

New teaching hospital at University of Texas, Austin

As I shared in my last post, I kicked off 2017 with a 3-part commission for Austin's new medical center. See the first painting HERE. Each of the paintings commissioned is a cityscape, depicting a well-loved aspect of our very cool town (we love our home!) To say that I am excited to have been chosen for this project is a huge understatement. I am thrilled!

This piece features a profile view of the Capitol building, which is at the center of our downtown area. Of course, it is fenced in for safety purposes, but its "front yard" is a mass of sweeping lawns and paths, huge trees, and sculptures made to Texas history. And the inside of the building is stunningly grand. If you are ever in town, I highly recommend the tour. 

Some shots of the painting process... 

Blocking In

 Building up the painting with color

The Finished Piece - Capitol Profile, 34x44

An interesting story about shipping these commissions...

Since the art broker for this project is located out of town, I was asked to remove the paintings from their stretcher bars, roll them up, and ship them in a tube! It's a cheaper and safer way to transport them. The paintings will get re-stretched and framed at headquarters, and then come BACK to Austin to be installed at the new medical center! 

The painting, removed from the stretcher bars and rolled up between layers of glassine (an archival paper with a neutral ph protects the surface from rubbing and sticking).

First of Three Commission Paintings... with process shots!

State on Congress, 34 x 44, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2017

First of three commissions for Dell Seton Medical Center

The new teaching hospital at University of Texas, Austin

I know I have been radio silent for a long time. Here is the deal... sometimes things happen in life that are just BIG. I have been completely distracted and painting non-stop on my largest commission project ever. It consists of three paintings for the Dell Seton Medical Center, our brand new teaching hospital at the University of Texas, which opens in May, 2017! Soon!

The commission is huge, both in honor (I am thrilled to be chosen) and in size... two are 34x44" and the third one is 5 feet by 6 feet (the largest painting I have ever made!) The "smaller" two are now on their way to the client for framing and installation, and I am hoping to wrap up the BIG one in the next week or so. 

Below are process shots of the first piece, "State on Congress". This one is based on a painting I did a few years ago that was much smaller and square (18x18). The submission process included reworking the scene into a horizontal landscape shape, which I presented as a pencil sketch and small color maquette. Once approved, I began the actual painting. I hope you enjoy seeing the progression of its development. 

Pencil Sketch for commission, 8x10

Color Maquette for commission, 12 x 15

BELOW - PROCESS SHOTS OF 34 x 44" COMMISSION PIECE 

Step 1 - Block-In - design and composition of scene.

I use a dark neutral paint tone, lightly applied to indicate shapes and values.

Step 2 - Mass-In large areas of color and value.

I mass in shadow areas of painting first, and work dark to light.

Step 3 - Mass-in large "lit" areas, keeping everything simple. 

Note that building in the dead center got moved. ;) Sorry for the bad photo but I wanted to show this stage and it's all I have. 

Step 4 - Break up masses and final marks.

I use subtle value shifts to indicate form and detail, adding final highlights and lowlights last. Note that the tall building on right got shortened. It's never too late to make changes!

Coming Up: Process Shots of the other two pieces, and some thoughts on how to approach a commission. I am making a list a "take-aways" to share with you, so please stay tuned! :)

Super Moon Monday and painting in the dark...

Super Moon Monday, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2016

Last night few of us from Plein Air Austin met up in Zilker Park to paint the super moon. We had so much fun, and watching that moon come up was exhilarating! As for painting it, this was my first "moonrise" ever and the light changed fast (and many times)! In the matter of an hour we watched daylight turn to sunset, and pitch dark turn to moon rise. 

Blocking in the scene was a giant guessing game, anticipating where the moon would rise, how big it would be, how dark the sky would be, and how light the buildings would be. But my biggest challenge was that I didn't bring a clip-on light for my easel. DUH! I'm not sure why I didn't think of it. I resorted to using the flashlight on my cell phone, and skootching in close to my friend's easel and light. Lesson learned! A brand new clip on light is already ordered and on it's way to me!

It was a race to the finish and a great adventure! Many thanks to my painting buddies Tricia, Lynn and Jane... we have already committed to meeting up (same place and time) for the next super moon in 2034!! ;)

Village Boulevard

Village Boulevard, 12 x 16, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2014

This quaint divided boulevard is in the town of St. Mary's, Georgia. It's a peaceful place to visit and I loved how the morning sun lit up the front of this historical Catholic Church, "Our Lady Star of the Sea". Isn't that a great name? The chapel was built in 1840, originally as a bank. When the bank failed, the building was purchased, a bell tower was added, and parishioners met there until a formal church was built in 1957. The chapel is only used now for special services. It's quite a charming place. 

Marsh Dance and Afternoon Shadows

Marsh Dance, 24 x 36, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2013 - SOLD

Afternoon Shadows (Waterloo Records), 18 x18, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2013 - SOLD

Reflections on the Georgia marsh reveal a delicate dance between trees, marsh grass and water. The undeniable rhythm of their movement is almost audible. Similarly, dynamic shadows (at our favorite record store in Austin) "step in time" daily as the sun travels across the sky. I love to witness these give and take, forward and back, "swing your partner" performances in nature's grand Do Si Do. 

These two paintings will be in my show, "Landscapes: Interior-Exterior" at the Davis Gallery in Austin, Texas. Reception October 5, 7-9pm. Runs through November 16. 

Winter Haze - No Place Like Home

Winter Haze - Mopac Bridge, 12 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2013

SOLD

The effects of a morning mist can be so tantalizing! It settles hazily on the lake and quietly softens all the hard edges of the city. These are mornings that make me glad I got up early (and wonder why I don't do it more often!)

No Place Like Home
Davis Gallery Group Show - 837 W. 12th St. Austin, TX
Opening reception - Saturday, April 20, 7-9pm 

Bright Lights - No Place Like Home

Bright Lights - Congress Avenue, 18 x 18, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2013

SOLD

These are the bright lights of downtown Austin on a drippy wet evening. Our Texas State Capitol building is stunning in any weather (you know it's taller than the U.S. Capitol in Washington DC, don't you?) This piece is one of several that I painted for the upcoming "No Place Like Home" exhibit at the Davis Gallery. The opening reception is this Saturday... please come by if you are in town!

No Place Like Home

Davis Gallery Artists Group Show

Davis Gallery, 837 W. 12th, Street, Austin, TX

April 20 through May 25, 2013

Opening reception: Saturday, April 20, 7 to 9 pm

Bicycle Alley - Quick Draw Do-over

Bicycle Alley, 8 x 6, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012

SOLD

Plein Air Painting events often have a "Quick Draw" component in which artists gather in a pre-defined perimeter to paint in a timed and judged session. For the 90 minute Quick Draw in Kerrville, I chose this glowing alley as my subject. It seemed simple enough - but no. When the end whistle blew I was not quite finished. I did turn in that piece but when I got home I had to paint it again. I just wanted a little more time! This small piece is my second, home effort. 

Side-note: Kent, the owner of this bike who works in the adjacent building, told me the real scoop. Apparently, back in the day, nurses from the hospital across the street used to come to this alley to smoke. I wanted to call this "Smoking Alley" but I didn't think it would make sense to anyone but Kent and me. :)

Here are some process shots from the Quick Draw taken by Kerrville photographers Bob and Diana Nelson. Thanks Bob and Diana!

photo credit: Diana Nelson

photo credit: Bob Nelson

photo credit: Diana Nelson

photo credit: Diana Nelson

6th & San Jacinto

6th and San Jacinto, L. Daniel, 12 x 16

A couple weeks ago, Plein Air Austin met downtown to paint our city streets in the quiet of the morning. As you can imagine, it wasn't deserted for long. Soon it was hopping with cars and people. This corner is smack in the middle of Austin's famous "6th Street" - at night, it completely transforms into a wild music and party scene. College kids love it.


Tomorrow I am headed to New York to paint in the Adirondacks for a few days and visit my sister. I look forward to painting in some of the same locations as the Hudson Valley River School Painters of the middle 19th century. It's beautiful country with an inspiring artistic history. So excited - it will also be a little cooler there... :)

Warehouse Row

Warehouse Row, 5 x 7

These old warehouses in the late afternoon reminded me of pastel Monopoly pieces all sitting in a row. (Houses though, definitely NOT hotels.) Another neighborhood in Fredericksburg at dusk.

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Old Main Street

Old Main Street, 7 x 5, SOLD

Boarded up windows and empty storefronts was all that was left of this little downtown shopping area I drove through. I failed to write down the name of this town that was so deserted, but I found myself easily imagining it in a more lively time. To me it's sad, I am not a big fan of "progress". :)

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