Rosy Billows (enlarged)

Rosy Billows, L. Daniel, 18 x 18

Back to the big skies. I painted this piece for my big sky series back in the spring, but I forgot to photograph and post it. So, here it is, just a little bit late. You may remember the small study. The scene is from West Texas in the Davis Mountains - a beautiful, end of day performance.

Rosy Billows (Study)

Rosy Billows, 6 x 6, L. Daniel, SOLD

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This is the study for another painting in my big sky series inspired by West Texas. The vivid pink reflection in the clouds at the end of the day was so compelling. It was too late for me to start painting, but I got some notes and photos to work with when I got home. Tomorrow I will post the larger version.

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Distant Showers (enlarged)

Distant Showers (enlarged), 18 x 18, L. Daniel

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What is it about rain in the distance that is so captivating? I think it's that we can actually SEE the clouds bursting and the water pouring out. It's thrilling and it carries a certain sense of urgency (must close windows... must batten down the hatches.) It's just so big and powerful.

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This is the third painting in my big sky series from West Texas...

Distant Showers (study)

Distant Showers (study), 6 x 6, L. Daniel, SOLD

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I painted this small study as a preparation for my third "big sky" painting. This is a series I am working on that began with a painting trip I took to the Davis Mountains in West Texas. I was very inspired by the unlimited largeness of the sky and had to respond (one thing leads to another and there you go, a series is born.) Tomorrow I will post the larger painting of this scene.

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Drama Unfolds (enlarged)

Drama Unfolds (enlarged), 18 x 18, L. Daniel

This larger version of Drama Unfolds was satisfying to paint because I had more room to explore the color and edges. I loved the way the light came through the bending tree branches as the day was ending; the strong contrasts and fringey glow were irresistible.

Drama Unfolds

Drama Unfolds (study), 6 x 6, L. Daniel, SOLD

These silhouetted trees against the wildly marbled sky were so dramatic, the scene stopped me in my tracks. Inspired by my trip to the Davis Mountains in February, I made this study and several others immediately upon return in preparation for a series of larger pieces. This is the second in that series, and I will post the larger version of this study tomorrow.

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Salon International Show Pictures & Update:
I spent the weekend participating in all the events that went with the Salon International Show at the Greenhouse Gallery in San Antonio. It started with an awards banquet on Friday night, continued with individual critiques with the show's judge Everett Raymond Kinsler, a great marketing lecture by Eric Rhoads - Publisher of Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine, and ended with a big reception on Saturday night. It was a very inspiring time!

Everett Raymond Kinsler - This great American portrait painter has painted over 1200 portraits, including 6 presidents and many well-known personalities. He was generous and entertaining with his stories and ideas; and it was a great privilege for me to meet him!

And there I am, still grinning... now, back to work! I want to be there again next year! :)

Old Pueblo and Newspaper Feature!

Old Pueblo, 9 x 12

This is the last of my Davis Mountain paintings. This crumbling pueblo sits in a small neighborhood in Fort Davis. No one has lived in it for a very long time but thankfully it stands as a reminder to a different time. Life carries on all around; I could hear the constant bleating of a neighbor's goat and a radio blasting as one family enjoyed their Sunday afternoon. It made me wonder about the families who lived and loved here.

On a completely different note... May I share a bit of personal joy?? I was featured in the profile section of our local community newspaper!! A astute little boy summed it up for me last night when he saw the paper on the coffee table. "You have a great life," he said. SO TRUE. You can read it online by clicking here: "Laurel Daniel - Changing Light", Westlake Picayune, 3/4/10.

Sunlit Valley Morning

Sunlit Valley Morning, 9 x 12

This was the view off my porch while I was in the mountains. Early in the morning, the valley would slowly light up as the sun peaked over the mountain tops. Those terrifically long shadows get me every time.

Evening Tree Sketch

Evening Tree Sketch, 16 x 12

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(Back to the Davis Mountains paintings...)

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This whimsical tree was just dancing on the hillside as the sun lowered in the sky, but I had too large a canvas and only enough time for a quick sketch. Details gave way to simplicity and the bare essentials; a "good" lesson forced on me by the unforgiving, retreating sun. It was pitch black out when I packed up. I am pretty sure I left a brush or two behind. :)

Flaxen Field

Flaxen Field, 12 x 12

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The area surrounding the Davis Mountains is very rural - farm and ranch land. These pale, winter grasses fill the fields as far as the eye can see. I loved the contrast against the dark tree line and mountain range in the distance. I am not sure I caught the feeling of it, but the barn seemed totally hunkered down in the middle of it all.

Dusk

Dusk, 6 x 8, SOLD

The ranch where I stayed in the Davis Mountains was a great place to catch the light as it began to change at the end of the day. I was particularly interested in this nearly silhouetted tree form against the evening sky - it seemed to be glowing in the warm rays. I think I will be painting those skies for awhile.

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Tin Shed

Tin Shed, 12 x 12

The town of Fort Davis is really small and it has some really interesting streets and alleys. Driving through the neighborhoods, the strong patterns of light and shadow on this tin shed caught my eye. There was also a good vantage point across the street where I could park my car and set up my gear (an important component, believe it or not.)

While I was painting, the owner of the shed drove up, gave me a nod, and went inside. Minutes later, he came back out and drove around the block, clearly to see what I was doing. He didn't stop, he just took a long look and quietly went back in his house. It's funny how different people react; sometimes they stop and chat, sometimes they ignore me completely... I think this was my first "drive-by"...

Side note: Thank you Sally Dean and M.F. Bruno for the Sunshine award!!!

Mountain Morning (and SNOW in Texas!)

Mountain Morning, 12 x 16

I just got back from a plein air painting trip in the Davis Mountains (west Texas) with painting buddies Jill Carver, LaNell Arndt and Kraig Kiedrowski. It was fabulous to get away, totally off the grid, with no agenda but to paint! My drive home today included eight hours in a snowstorm! AND, the little boys next door had made this happy snowman in our yard to greet my arrival!

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Texas Snowman