Morning Paddler - Figures on Friday #7

 

Morning Paddler, 5 x 7, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2021

SOLD

(Still wet, available to ship on Nov 22)

Please forgive the glare on this one. Dark paintings are hard to photograph because they are so reflective. I shot this in many different locations and light trying to avoid it... but I could not eliminate it completely. 

One reader pointed out that a whole series on "boys playing with sticks" could be fun. I agree... how about KIDS playing with sticks!!! Paddling, fishing, hiking... sports in general... it seems like sticks are always IN hand and ON hand for every adventure. This morning kayaker is a grown up example of how kids will always be KIDS! 

I love sticks too! Paintbrushes? Mm-hmmm, sticks! More please! ;) 

Summer Morning - Commission

Summer Morning Commission, 22 x 32, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2014

SOLD

A week or so ago I mentioned that I had just finished up a commission. Well, I am happy to report that the painting (above) is delivered and installed on the fireplace mantle in its new home! I always get a good feeling when everything comes together on these kind of projects. Many thanks to my new friend and client!

Click HERE to see the small study I did as a warm up for this larger piece. You may find it interesting to see how they are similar and different.

Summer Creek Study

Summer Creek Study, 8 x 6, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2014

SOLD

I painted this little study as a color warm up for a commission piece I just finished. It helped to get the paint flowing on a small panel before diving into the large canvas… a bit of an appetizer so to speak! :) I will post the commission piece once it is framed and safely in the hands of it's owner (I don't want to jinx anything.) 

See other Small Works.

Marshland Creek and End of Show!

Marshland Creek, 36 x 18, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2013

Available at the Davis Gallery

This is the last week of my show at the Davis Gallery here in Austin, and I could not be happier with how it all went. The work is up through Saturday 11/16, so it's not too late to visit. Many thanks to those of you who have stopped by to see the work in person, or who have taken a look at it on my website. Your comments and encouragement mean the world to me and keep me energized. Thank you, thank you, thank you! 

Winter Grasses and Sitting Room Quietude

Glowing Winter Grasses, 18 x 36, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2013 - SOLD

Sitting Room Quietude, 18x 24, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2013 - SOLD

Silence is golden. 

Another pair headed to the Davis Gallery show in October. 

Creek Reflections

Creek Reflections, 8 x 6, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2013

Back in Texas, I have been working on a commission and some larger pieces in the studio. But I have gotten outside to paint a bit, and enjoyed meeting up with my buddies in Plein Air Austin to paint at a private creekside property a couple of weeks ago. (I am a bit behind in my posting.) It's good to be home...

Creek Shadows - Kerrville Outdoor Painting Event

Creek Shadows, 9x12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012

This scene is at the entrance of Camp LaJunta, a kids' camp out in Hunt, Texas. The creek feeds into the Guadalupe River which flows right over the main road and through the center of the camp. I can only imagine the campers' excitement when they arrive at camp each summer and get to drive over the water on their way in. It's pretty cool - I would have LOVED to go to this camp when I was a kid! 

Shallow Creek Bed

Shallow Creek Bed, 12 x 9, Oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012

The creeks are flowing here in Texas, due to September rains... and let me just say, we love rain, no matter when it falls. This creek is a popular spot for teenagers, particularly when spring fever hits. But this week? Quiet and peaceful. Only the occasional dog and master passed me by, so I had it all to myself. The river grasses are warming up with that warm fall glow... just delicious. 

Creek Falls

Creek Falls, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012

This is where the lazy creek from yesterday's painting flows down to a lower level. There is a swirling swimming hole here in the suds and kids (of all ages) love to play in it. Yes, I did paint here two days in a row. Like I said, when there is water in the creeks I get myself down there. :)

Lazy Creek

Lazy Creek, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012 - SOLD

We have finally had some good rainfall in Austin and all the seasonal creeks are flowing again. YAY! They literally disappear during droughts... this one was bone dry in March. After the rains, I came right down to this spot and was thrilled to see water on the low-water crossing... where the creek runs right over the road. I just loved driving through the water again (and painting it)!

EXCITING NEWS: I am getting ready to go to Wisconsin next week for the Door County Plein Air Festival, where I will be one of 40 participating featured artists!! I am so excited and honored to be part of this great group of painters. We will paint all over the peninsula then exhibit the wet paintings the following weekend. I grew up in Wisconsin, so it's a big thrill to be returning to my childhood stomping grounds. :) Wish me luck!

Sun-Struck Sapling and tips for using refined linseed oil as a medium

Sun-Struck Sapling, L. Daniel, 8 x 6, SOLD

Back at the Wimberley creekside, this small cypress sapling caught the brilliant mid-day light. It looked so beautiful against the purple gray limestone shadows. I loved it's simple but dramatic pose.


See more Small Works


Using Refined Linseed Oil as a Medium:
One of my readers asked me to talk about using Refined Linseed Oil as a medium instead of Turpentine mixes or Liquin. She has been experiencing some allergic reactions to solvents and is making the switch. Here is the thing about solvents and allergies: while not everyone is bothered, some people are completely debilitated. Still others begin to experience allergic reactions after years of use. Even the odorless mineral spirits are toxic - the fumes are there even though you can't smell them. So be really careful if you are using them. 


I learned to paint using linseed oil (I use the "refined") and have never missed solvents. If you are interested in trying it, here are some pointers:
 - Place linseed oil in small cup on palette - you only need a small amount
 - Dip just the tip of your brush in it, add a little as you go and mix in completely
 - Use it only to emulsify paint for an even flow (so all pigments are same consistency)
 - Do NOT use it for washes - you won't be able to paint back in and it will take a long time to dry
 - If you like a toned canvas, consider pre-toning with an acrylic wash in your preferred color
 - I don't clean my brushes as I paint - I wipe them out with paper towel as necessary to keep the color clean
 - I use lots of brushes - typically one for each basic color in the painting (since I am not swishing)
 - Brush cleaning - at the end of a session, I clean my brushes with warm water and Masters Soap (also a great conditioner - make a thin paste of the Masters Soap and reshape the tips)
 - Other options are walnut oil and poppyseed oil - I've not tried them but hear they are good choices


Like anything, it takes practice to gain mastery but it's worth it. Most of my students who try it never go back to solvents. I know we all want to be painting for a long, long time, so paint smartly. And good luck!

Quiet Creek

Quiet Creek, L. Daniel, 12 x 9

Last week, the Outdoor Painters Society met up for a few days to paint in Wimberley, Texas... about an hour from my home. This was a special treat because we were invited to paint on private land along the creek. I got there early and had a quiet morning with this glowing stand of cypress tress. Delightful. (Also delightful was the gathering of friends at lunch time.) :) Thanks for having us, Bob!

Creek Stop (study)

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

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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!!)

Fishing Creek

Fishing Creek, 12 x 16, L. Daniel

When my husband was a little boy, his father took him fishing in this creek which was right down the street from the family beach house. Years later, Bill took our children fishing there too. Kids still throw in their lines at this spot and seeing them always brings a smile to my face... life continues on...

Our old beach house no longer exists, but the one I am staying in very similar and is right down the street. In January of 2009, I did a painting of it for my son. Click here to see it. I loved that old place and still miss it.

Crossing the Creek

Crossing the Creek, 16 x 12

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Last week, Julie Davis and I met up to paint at one of our local parks. It is one of those places with hidden trails through a wooded neighborhood that no one really knows about. This hidden spot is along that secret trail... just over the creek.