Glint of Gold - Fix It Friday #19

Glint of Gold, 24 x 24, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2020

SOLD

Hello friends! Welcome back to Fix It Friday! I hope you are all staying well and finding peace in these challenging times. This pastoral walk down a favorite Texas trail gives me that little getaway that seems SO needed right now. I painted it earlier in the spring when the wildflowers were out, and have been stewing over it ever since, up on the drying shelf... something was bothering me... 

BEFORE

AFTER

CHANGES

Problem - The prominent oak tree in the middle ground appeared choked and flat.

Fix - Removed mass of bushes at base of tree to visually free it up.

Fix - Separated layers in middle ground to increase space and depth. 

OBSERVATIONS

Layers always add an illusion of depth. Separating out several layers in the middle ground area, added to the overall sense of distance. I always like the idea of being able to go further "in" to the scene! 

PAINTERS! Join me at PleinAir LIVE!! 
I am teaching in the PRE-event Beginners Workshop (July 14) on "How Painting Outdoors Differs from Painting Indoors, and Overcoming the Obstacles", AND "The Basics of Oil Painting". It will be a fruitful and fun time! 

Please sign up through my affiliate link: 
https://pleinairlive.com/register?affiliate_id=2514217

Ever Expanding

Ever Expanding, 18x24, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2019

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This scene is classic Texas Hill Country. Cactus families here are very prolific and once they get established, they just take off (or they take over, however you want to look at it!) I spotted this meadow from my car, and something about the light, and the fence, the the sunlit grasses made me stop the car and go back. I was actually heading home at the end of a painting day, so I couldn't set up my easel. BUT... I do believe this is what that iPhone camera is for! ;)

WORKSHOP INFO:

Fall Plein Air Workshop at Contemporary Austin Art School, Nov. 8-9, 2019

FULL - Register for waitlist Here 

Ever Brilliant - and a special group show

Ever Brilliant, 24 x 24, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2019

SOLD at the Davis Gallery - Big Pink Blanket of Love show

BIG PINK BLANKET OF LOVE

Davis Gallery Group Show 

837 West 12th Street, Austin, Texas

September 14 - October 12

Reception September 14, 7-9 pm

I am honored to be a part of this unique group show in support of Davis Gallery's own Jan Heaton, a dear friend and one of Austin's premier watercolorists. In February of 2019 Jan's daughter, Kristin Peabody, was taken by an aggressive cancer she had battled for 10 years. In place of the solo exhibition that was scheduled for Jan, Davis Gallery and Austin's artistic community are banding together in solidarity to fight cancer and find strength. 

What is the Big Pink Blanket of Love?

Over 60 artists have contributed 4x4 inch squares of their own original artwork, in an overall pink palette. These squares have been hand-stitched together to create a pink quilt, symbolizing the community's compassion, strength, and friendship. The idea is derived directly from Kristin's own feeling that the love she received over the course of her treatments felt like a "big, warm, pink blanket of love". Here is a sneak peek... 

In addition to this collaborative quilt, an extended group show focused on love, gratitude, and family will feature original artwork by Jan Heaton and over twenty other artists.

How are we fighting cancer with this show?

Ten percent of all proceeds from this exhibit will be donated to the Peabody Fund, a project set up in direct response to Kristin Peabody's ambition to help develop innovative work in cancer research through the San Diego Center for Personalized Immunotherapy. The "big pink blanket of love" collaborative quilt will be donated to the Dell Children's Medical Center's annual fundraiser, "The Art of Giving" which benefits thousands of young cancer patients.

I am so excited for the unveiling of the BIG PINK BLANKET OF LOVE, and I hope you will join us at the reception. Art heals.

Tropical Overflow - Starting with a Preliminary Sketch

Tropical Overflow, 24 x 24, Oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2019

From solo show, "Beaches, Birds, and Botanicals"

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When I received this gorgeous flower arrangement from my sweet husband, I knew I would HAVE to paint it. I loved how the orchid blossoms bent and wandered freely into the light, while the many plant stems were tightly compressed in the shadow of the jar. As is often my practice, I pulled out a sketchbook to capture the parts that interested me...

Tropical Overflow, graphite sketch, 10x10

Doing a sketch helps me get the shapes and essence of a subject in my eye. Sometimes I'll make several sketches, until I find the composition I like best.

 Moving with wet paint onto the larger canvas, I first try to capture the profile only of the smaller image I want to paint. I keep my first marks light and outline-y (avoiding all detail) until I know I have positioned the whole subject correctly. 

Within that profile "envelope", I build out the values of the various elements of the subject. Having this underpainting as my block-in helps me hold on to the darks and lights as I add in color. 

Final painting, "Tropical Overflow", 24 x 24, L. Daniel

WORKSHOP INFO:

Fall Plein Air Workshop at Contemporary Austin Art School, Nov. 8-9, 2019

FULL - Register for waitlist Here 

Beach Reflections

Beach Reflections, 15 x 30, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2019

Painted for solo show, "Beaches, Birds, and Botanicals"

SOLD at the Anderson Fine Art Gallery

Another title for this might have been, "Breakfast on the Beach" as this is another great hunting ground for egrets and other shore birds. When the tide comes in, they gather around larger tide pools and forage for trapped fish and insects. Mornings seem the best time... they are intent on their work until something startles them, sending them up and away.

Upcoming:
Fall Plein Air Workshop: Contemporary Austin Art School, Nov. 8-9, 2019 - Register Here

Nature's Patterns

Nature's Patterns, 24 x 24, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2019

SOLD

This is another piece in the group show, Circadian Buzz. I know the word circadian typically refers to 24 hour cycles, but all of nature's cycles have an affect on us. With this painting, I chose to celebrate the longer, seasonal cycle of spring awakening. When our loquat trees burst forth with fruit each April, it's always new. I am transfixed by their color and fragrance, and must paint them. Something about the giant leaves and clustered golden orbs is endlessly compelling. I particularly loved the challenge of this unusual angle... separating the light on the tree limb from the dappled light on the ground was tricky! 

This piece is on display through August 31...

Circadian Buzz, Davis Gallery Group Show, Austin, TX

The small pieces below allowed me to study different angles before painting the big one. They are also in the show... of course, I wanted to paint all of them larger, but I had to choose! 

Dangled, 8x8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2019

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Dappled, 8 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2019

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Bunched, 8 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2019

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Spring Return (and a blogger returns!)

Spring Return, 15 x 30, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2019

SOLD at the Davis Gallery

Dear friends... I have been on a bit of a blogging hiatus and I'm not really sure why. I got interrupted, and suddenly I just found myself out of the habit. But I love blogging, so I am back. It completes the cycle of creation for me... Thanks for waiting! :)

Jumping right in... I am thrilled to have 6 paintings on display in the Davis Gallery summer group show here in Austin, TX...

Circadian Buzz 

Davis Gallery Group Show

Through August 31st

For this exhibit, we were asked to think about rhythm and repetition. To my way of thinking, this two-pronged theme applies both to subject matter (rhythm as a design element) and daily practices (repetition as personal discipline.) The scene in "Spring Return" has an obvious repeating pattern of waddling geese bodies. That swaying rhythm propels them through the scene, and it takes us right along. (Where ARE they going?)

Below is a preliminary study I did from another angle (part of my daily practice and personal discipline)...

Waddlers, 8 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2019

SOLD

Half Light - Show opens December 15

Half Light, 15 x 30, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2018

SOLD

This is another painting of mine that will be on display in the "Night Vision" show at the Davis Gallery. The exhibit opens this Saturday and it will be a festive and joyous time! Art and friends... what could be better?

 Night Vision - Winter Group Show

Davis Gallery, Austin, Texas

December 15 - January 12

Reception December 15, 7-9 pm

Come on your way to or from your other holiday activities!

Marsh Birds - Show Tip #27

Marsh Birds, 24 x 24, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2016 

Sold in Solo Show, "Chasing Color, Finding Light", Davis Gallery

These magnificent birds of the marsh totally captivate me. Whether in flight, keeping watch, or fishing for dinner, their movements and behaviors are fun to observe. They are such beautiful creatures!!

If you have been following my blog for the last few months, you know that I am just a day away from my big gallery opening! In my Show Tips, I have tried to share what goes into planning and executing an art exhibit; from gathering supplies to scheduling time to marketing the work. All that is left now is to go and have fun, but I do have one more tip about that...

Show Tip # 27 - Tell Your Story!
Opening night of any show is the culmination of much work and personal revelation. It's natural to worry about how to use words to describe what we have already "said" in paint. Here is the thing to remember: no one knows our work better than we do, and it's up to us to be our own best advocates. Be ready to talk about inspiration, process and intention. Be ready to share what went into a piece, breakthrough moments, or even struggles encountered along the way. Opening night is an opportunity to tell our story. Don't be shy and don't hold back... and remember to soak up the love. 

Here are links to other Show Tips:

Tip #1 - Stock up on Supplies
Tip #2 - Set up Deadlines
Tip #3 - Determine Subject Matter

Tip #4 - Work in Series

Tip #5 - Establish a Schedule

Tip #6 - Be Kind to YOU

Tip #7 - Follow your Heart

Tip #8 - Stay Flexible

Tip #9 - Whistle While You Work

Tip #10 - Fight Through Fears

Tip #11 - Take Notes

Tip #12 - Know when to Quit

Tip #13 - Stay Updated

Tip #14 - Balance Effort and Ease

Tip #15 - Assign Tasks

Tip #16 - Step Back 

Tip #17 - Sign As You Go

Tip #18 - Take Your Best Shot

Tip #19 - Celebrate Growth

Tip #20 - Varnishing Day(s)

Tip #21 - Frame Incrementally

Tip #22 - Deep Six Your Doubts

Tip #23 - Get the Word Out

Tip #24 - Stay The Course

Tip #25 - Take Care of Business

Tip #26 - Deliver Safely (and on time)

Hillside Ridge - Show Tip #9

Hillside Ridge, 24 x 24, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2016

Sold in Solo Show, "Chasing Color, Finding Light", Davis Gallery

Texas skies always call to me. I have my favorite places to go on big sky days and this is one of them. To just BE in the landscape with giant clouds floating by is peaceful, calming and a reminder of the BIGness of it all. 

Show Tip #9 - Whistle While You Work
I think Snow White was on to something with this little ditty as she cleaned up the cottage for the The Seven Dwarfs. :) Pairing up a rhythmic activity to enhance and encourage work flow is a practice used by people in all professions (athletes, car mechanics, dentists, you name it). And it certainly works for me... if I have music or an audio book going in my studio while I paint, I am much more immersed in my work and way more likely to stay in the flow. My favorites are music with Pandora (you can pick a favorite artist and the app will populate a music station with music in that style) and Books by Audio (actors with great accents read unabridged books for hours of listening pleasure). And by the way, the act of listening engages the logical side of our brains, so that the intuitive side stays unencumbered for the creative process. Try it, it really works!

Here are links to other Show Tips:

Tip #1 - Stock up on Supplies
Tip #2 - Set up Deadlines
Tip #3 - Determine Subject Matter

Tip #4 - Work in Series

Tip #5 - Establish a Schedule

Tip #6 - Be Kind to YOU

Tip #7 - Follow your Heart

Tip #8 - Stay Flexible

Painters - join me at this Plein Air Workshop:

April 28-30, Anderson Fine Art Gallery, St. Simons Island, GA

Contact Info: Mary Anderson, 912-634-8414