Dockside Line Up

Dockside Line Up, 12 x 16, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2019

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Shrimp boats in the low country make such a beautiful sight... whether they are hard at work out in the ocean (with millions of birds circling them), or resting quietly at the dock. I love painting them because it's such a challenge. They are incredibly complicated with booms and nets and lines going everywhere. But for me, it's all about the overall scene... the light, the setting, the colors, and the feeling. Too much hard detail will distract from that. My strategy is to get the basic positions, shapes, and angles as accurate as possible, and simply suggest all the rigging. Then I let the eye fill in the rest. 

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2019 PLEIN AIR WORKSHOP INFO:

November 8-9, 2019 - Austin, Texas

Contemporary Austin Art School, FULL - Register for waitlist Here 

2020 PLEIN AIR WORKSHOP INFO:

March 30-April 2, 2020 - Wimberley, Texas

Contact Helena Hauk, Wimberley Artists Workshops, 800-327-1913

Date is firm - details coming soon!

April 16-18, 2020 - St. Simons Island, Georgia

Contact Mary Anderson, Anderson Fine Art Gallery, 912-634-8414

May 8-9, 2020 - Austin, Texas

Contemporary Austin Art School, Registration opens in December

Shrimper's Row - Georgia Coast

Shrimper's Row, 12 x 9, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2017

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These shrimp boats are docked along the marina shore in Darien, Georgia (just up the road from St. Simons Island). Those tall, vertical arms on the boats are towing booms with nets attached. The booms and nets come down when the boats are out in the ocean trawling for shrimp. It is usually a nighttime or early morning gig, so catching the boats docked up during the day is not unusual. They make quite a fine sight, all lined up. 

Dappled Trail

Dappled Trail, 8 x 6, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2016

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"Dappled Trail" is a late-in-the-day painting on that same unmarked road from my last post. It seemed like there was something to ponder in every direction. In lieu of walking down this path, I stopped to paint it. I may have to go back that way sometime! (Think I can find it again? Oh yes... most definitely, I can.) :)

My apologies for those two miss-fired blogposts in your inbox this week (one was blank and one old one reappeared). It was "operator error" on my part, and I am so sorry!

Morning Solitude

Morning Solitude, 12 x 9, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2016

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"Keep the Momentum" was the last of my show tips as I presented my solo exhibit at the end of April (see blog posts from January-April 2016). Although that really IS good advice, what I didn't mention was that I would be traveling for the next two months (which blew my momentum right out of the water)! I went from Texas to Georgia to New York to Italy, and back again. I saw children and grandchildren, in-laws and siblings, and lots of dear friends. I played with my grandsons (never enough!), collected pottery shards at the seashore, ate delicious food (Neapolitan pizza and pistachio gelato are just two highlights), saw beautiful cities and countryside, and danced at two weddings! It was a whirlwind of fun and rejuvenation!

Now that I am home, I am excited to be loading my brushes again and getting back in the flow. "Be it ever so humble..." there really is no place like home.

Thank you all for your kind "welcome backs" and words of congratulations...

It truly means the world to me. 

A note about "Morning Solitude" (painted en plein air in May, while still in Georgia)... This particular painting location was a sweet reward for following my gut and an unmarked road. Marshes and creeks always bring me joy, but this one was exceptionally quiet and tranquil. Well worth the detour!!

Ashantilly Wildflowers

Ashantilly Wildflowers, 8 x 10, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2014

I so enjoy discovering new places to paint and explore, and this is one of those places. Ashantilly, or "Old Tabby" is a historical homestead in Darien, GA. It was originally built in 1820, and was the "mainland" home of Thomas Spalding, an early Georgia planter, legislator and landowner. It sits right on the marsh and was quite elegant in its day. A group of historians are committed to seeing the place restored, and hopefully that will happen. It's quite a gorgeous setting. I chose this intimate side yard as my subject… the garden had gone to seed, but the wildflowers were stunning. 

Tidal Flow - Georgia Coast

Tidal Flow, 8 x 6, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2013

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These inter-coastal waterways seem to go on forever through the low country. I stood on a dock to paint this piece, but I also love boating on the marshland rivers. My father-in-law has been navigating these waters his whole life and has taught his family to appreciate (and respect) the changing tides and the twists and turns of the marsh. It's always a huge treat when he takes us out. (Thanks for all the great excursions, Charlie!)

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. 

Harbor Storm

Harbor Storm, 6 x 8, L. Daniel, SOLD

Last week we went up to the little harbor town of Darien, Georgia to paint on the docks. The sky was threatening but we pressed on. I no sooner got set up that it began to rain and I had to move under a bridge for shelter. My view was slightly altered, but I could see the color of all the major parts... thankfully I was doing a small one! :)

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