Drifting Dunes

Drifting Dunes, 30 x 40, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2019

Sold in solo show, "Beaches, Birds, and Botanicals"

Anderson Fine Art Gallery

I love the beach, especially when it glows in the early morning sunlight. It has a nourishing quietness that can sustain the rest of the day... one of those things that elicits the phrase, "if only we could bottle that up!" Painting is one way for me to do just that. It's my own private bottling factory that allows me to revisit some of my favorite moments.

Join me for an upcoming workshop...
Fall Plein Air Workshop at Contemporary Austin Art School, Nov. 8-9, 2019 - Register Here

Dune Shadows - Georgia Coast

Dune Shadows, 6 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

Click to purchase $120 + $16 s/h

Slumping sand dunes and soft cast shadows always grab my eye... there is something so peaceful about the horizontal-ness of it all. This was a windy morning (though you can't see that in my painting), so using an umbrella was impossible for this little sea-grass study. Painting small and fast was the order of the day. 

Dune Walk - Anderson Gallery Exhibit

Dune Walk, 18 x 24, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2014

SOLD

There is nothing like a beach day… skip-hopping through the hot sand... the cool relief of the ocean breeze… the smell of suntan lotion… sandwiches on damp towels… castle building... hunting for sand dollars. The beach has a lure and excitement all its own and it hits me full on, every time I climb up over that last dune. 

This piece is headed to the Anderson Gallery for my solo show "Marshside to Seaside", April 24 - May 25, St. Simons Island, Georgia. 

Dune Walk Study

Dune Walk Study, 6 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2014
SOLD

This is a study I painted in preparation for a larger studio piece. These winter months are great for studio work and there is nothing quite like revisiting warmer seasons while I am at it! This beach is in St. Simons Island on the Georgia coast, one of my favorite places in life. I am looking forward to being back soon! 

WORKSHOP OPENING: I am teaching a plein air workshop on St. Simons in April, and there are 2 spots available. If you can join us, register with Mary Anderson at the Anderson Fine Art Gallery.

See other Small Works.

Ocean Walk

Ocean Walk, L. Daniel, 8 x 6, oil on panel, SOLD

We just got back from St. Simons Island, Georgia, where we spent Thanksgiving with family. It was great to walk the beach at a different time of year. I didn't have a chance to paint this week - "Ocean Walk" is left over from my trip in April (kept as reference for larger piece). No matter the season, I always love seeing that patch of blue and feeling the sea breeze as I trudge oceanward through the dunes.


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Sea Oats at Dusk (enlarged)

Sea Oats at Dusk (enlarged), L. Daniel, 12 x 16

This larger version of "Sea Oats" is from awhile back, but I am behind in photographing and posting my work. I have been a little distracted - our daughter got engaged two weeks ago! She and her fiance are not getting married until next summer, but some things (like dates and venue) require immediate attention. Suddenly I am in Wedding Planner mode! :) It's such a wonderful time and we are having lots of fun! We couldn't be happier.

This painting will be available soon at the Anderson Fine Art Gallery in St. Simons Island, GA.

First Light

First Light (study), L. Daniel, 6 x 8, study SOLD

Back in Georgia, I was able to spend many early mornings on the beach. Mostly, I just walked and observed because the light moved quickly and became too bright to paint. These first colors of the day are so delicious though, and I find myself still thinking about them back in the studio.

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After completing the small study, I painted this larger piece below to send off to my gallery. Beyond size, I didn't change much in the second one except to "push" more purples and periwinkles in the shadows. They are pretty similar, but I think the larger one vibrates a little more.

First Light, L. Daniel, 12 x 16

Dune Grass

Dune Grass, 9 x 12, L. Daniel

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Yesterday I painted at St. Andrew's Beach on Jekyl Island (a neighboring barrier island). What is great about this beach (besides being beautiful) is that there are trees near the shore that provide shade for picnic-ers and painters alike. Silly? I suppose, but I need the shade when I paint outside. The beach is particularly blinding so trees are my friends! :)

Beach Path

Beach Path, 6 x 8, L. Daniel, SOLD

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I can't believe my first week on St. Simons Island is over!! My husband has been with me, so after I painted in the mornings, we spent afternoons on the beach at high tide and reading in beach chairs. That is some kind of life, I know!!! A vacation to be sure. :) He has now gone back to Austin for work (he will come and go) and I will be ramping up the painting hours! I fully realize that this opportunity is a huge blessing, and I appreciate it fully!

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Morning Dunes

Morning Dunes, 6 x 8, L. Daniel, SOLD

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Yesterday morning I hit the beach early to catch the sunlight on the dunes. The sky was overcast and threatening rain... which did, indeed, arrive later in the day. We had a big rainstorm that soaked everything (especially our beach towels on the line) but it was a perfect afternoon for reading and a nap. :)

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Ocean Dunes - Enlargement

Ocean Dunes, 18 x 18

This is my last studio piece painted from my Long Island plein air studies... for now anyway. Being there this summer pushed me in some different (and sometimes scary) ways... all you creatives out there know what I mean. Sometimes art and fear go hand in hand. And fear can be good if it's the kind that makes you take a risk and try something new.