Desert Clusters - American Women Artists Exhibit at the Tucson Desert Art Museum

Desert Clusters, 18 x 18, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2017

SOLD at the Tucson Desert Art Museum 

Under a Vast Sky

American Women Artists Annual Juried Exhibit

Tucson Desert Art Museum

Tucson, Arizona

Reception November 3, 5-8pm

This year, American Women Artists launched 25 in 25, a goal to secure twenty-five museum exhibitions in as many years. We are doing this because work by women artists makes up only 5% of permanent holdings of museums in America. Can you believe it's that low? Our group is determined to do something about this, and now has museum shows booked through 2020. This is the first show from this initiative and it's pretty exciting! Unfortunately, I am unable to make the reception this year, but I know it will be a beautiful show! If you are in or near Tucson this weekend, please stop by!

Click HERE to see show online.

For purchase inquiries, contact the Tucson Desert Art Museum.  

Exhibit is on display through December 3. 

Layered Mesa - Big Bend, Texas

Layered Mesa, 6 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2014 

SOLD

The Old Maverick Road is a "short cut" on the west side of Big Bend National Park. It's shorter as the crows fly, but kind of a wash board to drive on. Nevertheless, I drive it at least once, almost every time I am there. And I usually feel compelled at some point to pull off and paint one of the views. What caught me here was the layering of shapes off into the distance. Simple, but so distinctly Big Bend.

See more Small Works.

Backlit Arroyo - Big Bend, Texas

Backlit Arroyo, 8 x 6, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2014

SOLD

One magnificent occurrence in the desert, is how foliage finds a way to thrive. Even when there is no apparent water, it's clear that there is enough moisture (somewhere) for certain species to grow and reproduce. These cottonwoods dotted an entire plain, following water tracks in the arroyo. Flooding signs are everywhere, and when the rain comes, it flows heavily right through here. Hard to imagine on a steaming hot afternoon. 

See more Small Works.

River Grasses - Big Bend, Texas

River Grasses, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2014

Big Bend, Texas

Standing on the Texas side of the Rio Grande River, it's hard to believe that Mexico is just a stone's throw away. I could've waded over, but alas, did not have my passport with me. I was quite happy observing these backlit grasses along at river bank. They brought an irresistible warm glow to the soft desert neutrals. Inspiring. 

See more plein air Field Work.

Desert Morning - Big Bend, Texas

Desert Morning, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2014

Big Bend, Texas

I just returned from a painting trip to Big Bend. For those of you who haven't been, this is the wild, wild west of Texas - but on the southern border, down by Mexico. If you read the book, No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy (or saw the movie) you've got a picture. It's a stark and harsh landscape with a beauty all its own. This particular morning dawned with bright light and long shadows, and the desert floor seemed to sparkle. Finding a spot to paint was as easy as pulling over to the side of the road. 

For those who have been, this is the Burro Mesa Pouroff with Santa Elena Canyon in the far distance. 

American Women Artists - 2 exhibits in Arizona with opening festivities this weekend!

Cactus Salute, 18 x 18, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012

SOLD

If you are in the Tucson, AZ area this weekend, please join me at the American Women Artists shows where these two pieces will be on display: 

FRIDAY, NOV 2:

15th Annual American Women Artists National Juried Show

K. Newby Gallery and Sculpture Garden

Tubac, Arizona

Reception 1:00-4:00 pm

SATURDAY, NOV 3:

"Visions of the Southwest"

American Women Artists - Signature and Master Member Exhibition

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum 

Tucson, Arizona

Paintout 9:00-11:00 am

Reception 2:00-4:00 pm

I am thrilled to have achieved Signature status with AWA this summer and to be participating in these events! It's going to be a fun weekend!

Desert Trail, 18 x 18, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2012 - SOLD

Creosote Vista

Creosote Vista, 6 x 12 (12 x 18 matted and framed), L. Daniel © 2012

Available at the Davis Gallery 

"Works on Paper" Show

This is the last of my Big Bend series on carton board. The challenge to try something new always brings about creative growth. Experimenting of any kind keeps things fresh and interesting. The show opens this weekend and I personally can't wait to see what everyone has produced. It will be a real celebration of diverse works, for sure. The show will be up for a month, so if you are in or around Austin, please drop by. Or, see all four pieces on my website.


"Works on Paper" Summer Group Show
Davis Gallery, 837 W. 12th Street, Austin, Texas
June 30 - July 31, Reception Saturday, June 30, 7-9 pm

Soaptree Sentinel

Soaptree Sentinel, 12 x 6 (18 x 12 matted and framed)

Oil on paper, L. Daniel © 2012

Available at Davis Gallery

"Works on Paper" Show

This is another piece completed for the "Works on Paper" show that opens this weekend. The Soaptree is fascinating plant that livens up the barren, desert landscape (I especially loved its quirky seed pods up top.) See other works in show on my website. 

A word about framing these works on paper... 

A lot of people have written to ask me if using this paper required framing with a mat and glass. Would they be okay without glass? In theory, the carton board paper is treated so it should hold up over time. However, I chose to frame it under glass for a few reasons: 1) to protect them from dust (not sure how one would clean them otherwise), 2) because they had to be mounted onto something sturdy for presentation anyway, and 3) it's standard framing procedure for works on paper. 

Framing with glass just seemed like the right thing to do to make sure the pieces hold up over time. It also sets them apart from my works on canvas and was a different way to "finish off" this special project. Oh, and one final thing... when I matted them I did allow a 1/4 inch margin around the loosely painted edges - so the image areas are just like the photo above. 

"Works on Paper" Summer Group Show

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

June 30 - July 31, Reception June 30, 7-9 pm

Blooming Agave

Blooming Agave, 12 x 6 (18 x 12 matted and framed)

Oil on paper, L. Daniel © 2012

Available at the Davis Gallery

"Works on Paper" Show

Blooming cactus is a common and often dramatic sight in the desert. The sheer height of this bloom was astounding. This piece is included in the upcoming "Works on Paper" group show at the Davis Gallery. My pieces in the exhibit are all painted with oil pigments on a card stock called "carton board". I chose this paper for its warm color and absorbant surface. It was actually quite perfect for depicting the soft dusty tones of the desert. (See all show pieces on my website.)

A word about working on this carton board paper... 

The carton board is "resin-sized" which is a process that preps the paper surface to receive paint. It is still very absorbent and has a bit of a scratchy quality. I could have used clear gesso to seal it more thoroughly, but I actually liked the way the paint absorbed into the paper. More paint was required for each stroke and it was very satisfying to apply. My good friend, Robin Cheers, turned me on to it and I like it a lot. Thanks Robin!! Carton board is available at Guerrilla Painter.

"Works on Paper" Summer Group Show

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

June 30 - July 31, Reception June 30, 7-9 pm

Desert Dwelling - Works on Paper Show

Desert Dwelling, 12 x 16 (18 x 22 matted), Oil on paper, L. Daniel © 2012

Available at the Davis Gallery

"Works on Paper" 

Summer Group Show

Davis Gallery

837 W. 12th Street, Austin, TX

June 30 - July 31

Reception June 30, 7-9 pm

Please excuse this interruption of my Coastal Georgia Series... 
In my next few posts, you'll see new paintings from the exhibit above that opens this weekend. The prospectus for this show required that all the work be completed on some kind of paper support. I had a great time experimenting with new surfaces while choosing an alternative to traditional canvas. (More about the paper and process later.) 


The images I chose were inspired by my spring painting trip to Big Bend, Texas. Stay tuned for the companion pieces to this one. Each piece is matted and framed under glass. See all pieces included on my website. If you are in town, please stop by the gallery! 

Big Bend finale

Desert Ocotillo, 6 x 8

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This is my last Big Bend painting. I painted this typical desert scene along the Maverick Road, a "drive at your own risk" washboard with very few takers on this particular day. The light kept changing and everything looked completely different 30 minutes later. That's the fun - seeing all the different faces and colors of a place. It was a great trip...

Cottonwoods in the Desert

Cottonwood Oasis, 12 x 12

Cottonwoods at Sunset, 12 x 12

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Driving through the desert, I was amazed to see some trees changing color. These cottonwoods thrive next to streams and creeks, and I found their appearance in an otherwise starker landscape very compelling.