Pier Reflections - and a good lesson

Pier Reflections, 10 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2019

NFS

This little piece is one of my favorites of the year, and maybe it's because of how it came about. I was out painting one morning and had really made a mess of things (BTW - you will never see that one!) At lunchtime, it was obvious that rain was coming, but I was not ready to quit. I hate going home with nothing. Thankfully, my painting buddy was in agreement and we decided to go for it and race the storm. 

Well. Something happens when we have to work fast... have you noticed that? Our creative brains take over and our worry (fear) is released. After all, if it doesn't turn out, it's because of the rain, right? But isn't that just when everything clicks? When we stop overthinking and obsessing? Such a good lesson, and one I've had to learn over and over again!

The end of the story? I finished the painting and got it covered just as the clouds burst. I was soaked to the skin by the time I got everything in the car, but I was happy. :)

Gone Fishing

Gone Fishing, 8 x 6, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

SOLD

Fishing off the pier on St. Simons Island is a favorite pastime for kids of all ages. I met Charles last week, doing just that. He came fully prepared with multiple rods and a cooler full of bait. After getting all set up, he sat and enjoyed the ocean breeze while waiting for the fish to bite. I have to say, I enjoyed that breeze myself - there is no place quite like the pier! :)

PS - I know this looks like it belongs in my "men at work" group. While that series was specific to my home renovations, I am still drawn to the concept... please stay tuned.

Posing with Charles and my finished painting. Thanks, Charles!

Pier Breezes and 2 workshop openings!

Pier Breezes, 8 x 16, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2013

Available at Anderson Fine Art Gallery

Due to last minute cancellations, there are now 2 spots available for my upcoming workshop in St. Simons Island, Georgia. If you are available and want to spend some great time outside painting, please come join us!!! Here is the information:

En Plein Air - Composing a Strong Landscape

May 20 - 22, 2013, Monday-Wednesday, 9am-4pm 

Anderson Fine Art Gallery

St. Simons Island, GA

$400

Workshop Description: Focus on good composition and the strategic placement of natural subjects found in the landscape. Learn to design pleasing, dynamic entrances and exits in your paintings, and practice composing "on the fly" in the plein air tradition. We will meet at different sites on the island, and each session will include a demo and a critique. 

To register, please contact Mary Anderson

 Anderson Fine Art Gallery, 912-634-8414

Cottage Light, 9x12, L. Daniel © 2013, SOLD

Pier Breezes and Workshop Announcement

Pier Breezes, 8 x 16, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012

Available at Anderson Gallery

This pier in the village of St. Simons Island, GA is a favorite hang out spot for locals and tourists alike. At least once in every visit to the island, my family can be found walking out to the end with ice cream cones to watch the fishermen (and women) and to feel the cool ocean breeze. It's a family tradition! :) 

Workshop Announcement:

I am thrilled to be teaching another plein air workshop on the island next spring!

Come join me! Here is the information:

En Plein Air - Composing a Strong Landscape

May 20 - 22, 2013 

Monday-Wednesday, 9am-4pm 

Anderson Fine Art Gallery

St. Simons Island, GA

$400

Workshop Description: 

Focus on good composition and the strategic placement of natural subjects found in the landscape. Learn to design pleasing, dynamic entrances and exits into your paintings, and practice composing "on the fly" in the plein air tradition. We will meet at different sites on the island, and each session will include a demo and a critique. 

To sign up:

Please contact Mary Anderson

Anderson Fine Art Gallery

912-634-8414

Early Start

Early Start, L. Daniel, 8 x 6, SOLD

If you wake up early and walk down to Westlake Beach, you will see the sun rise behind the distant shore of the lake. I don't get going that early very often, but I managed it for this painting. I loved seeing the silhouetted forms of the dock and tied up boat against the bright light of dawn. It was kind of blinding... in a good way. :)

This will be my last Westlake Beach painting for a little while. I will keep going and am excited to do a batch of fall paintings there. It's such good discipline to revisit one place over and over again. Meanwhile, I have some other work to share with you.

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Pier Sparkles

Pier Sparkles, L. Daniel, 6 x 8, SOLD

An early, cloudy morning at the lakeside reveals a silhouetted pier sparkling with glints of brilliant light reflections. I have to say, it's pretty contemplative at Westlake Beach when there is no one else around. A set of wind chimes drums out a soft, continuous call just to listen and enjoy. Otherwise, all's quiet.

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Night Sky over the Pier

Night Sky over the Pier, L. Daniel, 18 x 18
.

On St. Simons Island in Georgia, everyone goes to the Pier at night... on a walk, on a date, to fish, to eat ice cream, to see friends... on July 4th, to see fireworks. In the summer, there is usually a nice cool breeze off the ocean, which feels pretty great. This is the larger piece done after the small study I posted yesterday.

Luminated

Luminated, L. Daniel, 6 x 8, SOLD

I did this small study in preparation for a larger night sky painting that I will post tomorrow. The big one is a bit more ambitious as I included a much larger portion of the pier. Isolating this smaller section allowed me to work out some of the color/value relationships and silhouette shapes before tackling it on the grand scale. This can be a very helpful process!!!

See more Small Works