Rolling Meadow - Kerrville Outdoor Painting Event

Rolling Meadow, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2014

Rolling Meadow is my last painting from the Kerrville Outdoor Painting Event. This meadow caught my eye every time I drove by, and on the last morning I finally stopped to capture the early slanted light. I was delighted when the owners of the property drove by and gave me their enthusiastic "thumbs up"... Made my day! :) 

Garden Path - Kerrville Outdoor Painting Event

Garden Path, 12 x 9, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2014

Available at the Kerr Arts and Cultural Center

The first morning of the KOPE painting event began with overcast skies. I chose to paint at a garden shop, and was delighted by the intensity of the garden's color in muted light. Intermittent appearances of the sun gave me the best of both worlds… color AND shadows!

Miss Kitty's Shop - Kerrville Outdoor Painting Event

Miss Kitty's Shop, 12 x 16, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2014

Available at the Kerr Arts and Cultural Center

I came across this quaint spot during the Kerrville Outdoor Painting Event last weekend. Miss Kitty's shop and saloon is no longer serving the public, but it sure hearkens back to another era on the Old Ingram Loop. While painting in the late afternoon light, I got to met several shop owners as they shut down for the day. Carrie, from Blue Moon Antiques, came out and took this picture of me in action. Thank you, Carrie!!

Me at the corner of Old Ingram Loop and Kitty Street in Ingram, Texas.

Fall Pasture - 3rd Place Winner at Kerrville Outdoor Painting Event!

Fall Pasture, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2014

3rd Place Winner!!

Available at the Kerr Arts and Cultural Center, Kerrville, TX

This past weekend, over 40 artists convened to paint for three days in the Texas hill country at the Kerrville Outdoor Painting Event (KOPE). We had perfect weather, worked hard, and then presented our work at a wet painting show on Saturday night. AND… I won the third place ribbon! Woo Hoo! Julie Davis took first place and Jimmy Longacre took second place. It's an honor to be in the winner's circle with these two dear friends and fabulous painters! Many thanks to the organizers and sponsors of this event; we all had a great time!

 Me, beaming with my ribbon!

Julie, Me, and Jimmy

Me with show judge Phil Bob Borman,

an incredible painter of skies and atmosphere. 

Morning on the River - Kerrville Outdoor Painting Event

Morning on the River, 12 x 9, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012 - SOLD

Fall color is beginning to emerge! This is another spot on the Guadalupe River in Hunt, Texas. The early morning water was so still and reflective, it was almost like glass. After about an hour of painting though, a breeze came up through the canyon and killed the reflections. Luckily, I had gotten lots of the color information in place early on, so I was able to stick with my original inspiration... that golden mirror image.

Overhanging Cypress - Kerrville Outdoor Painting Event

Overhanging Cypress, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012

Huge cypress trees line the banks of the Guadalupe River in the Kerrville and Hunt area of Texas. It's quite something to see how they create a corridor for the water to run through. This particular stand of trees welcomes visitors at the entrance of Camp LaJunta in Hunt. The camp directors were kind enough to let us spend a day on their land. It was so pleasant to stand in the shade and paint with that lovely water flowing past. 

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! 

Barn Row - Kerrville Outdoor Painting Event

Barn Row, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012

This is another painting from the plein air event in Kerrville, Texas. The ranch where these three barns are located was a treasure trove of painting subjects. (The Victorian house from yesterday's post is on the same property.) I could have painted here for a week, easily, and I thoroughly enjoyed the time I had. 

As I was packing up my gear, the little goats below started following me around. They must have thought I had snacks or something - after all, it was getting on towards dinner time. All the other painters had cleared out except for Julie Davis (my faithful painting companion for the week) and me, so we were the only hope those goats had. They were very cute. And persistent!

Porch Light - Kerrville Outdoor Painting Event

Porch Light, 9 x 12, Oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012

The last few days have been a whirlwind... 
Immediately upon returning from my son's wedding, I drove out to Kerrville, Texas for the first ever Kerrville Outdoor Painting Event (KOPE). Participating artists spent three days painting in the Hill Country at homes and ranches that were graciously opened up for us. This victorian house from the 1800's was irresistible with all of it's ornamental detail and huge wraparound porch; and the rusty old truck seemed to fit right in.

I had a great time with old and new friends (plein air painters are the friendliest bunch), and my good friend Robin Cheers won it all! On Friday night she won the 90 minute quick draw and on Saturday she took best of show. Congratulations Robin!