Old Fire Truck - En Plein Air Texas!

Old Fire Truck, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

En Plein Air Texas!

Available - Click for Information

After lunch on the first day of the En Plein Air Texas plein air competition, I high-tailed it over to this old fire truck I had seen the day before. I knew it would be an afternoon painting, and the light and shadows of the day did not disappoint. 

What I found out later, is that this truck is headed for bigger and better things. Soon it will be turned into a piece of public art, covered with mosaic tiles. Here is a link to other such works by the artists who will perform the transformation: Art in Uncommon Places. I will have to go back to San Angelo just to see it! :)

Those same artists happened to be our hosts at a fabulous party in their studio that night! Many thanks to some very creative and generous ladies!!

Garden Welcome, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

Available - Click for information

Driving around older neighborhoods in Austin, I see lots of quaint homes loaded with charm and delightful stylings of a different era. This house sits on a corner and is actually on the Historic Registry. When the afternoon light hits it just right, it simply glows.

Please join me for my last workshop of the year...

En Plein Air: Strong Starts, November 6-8, 9am-1:30pm

Register @ The Contemporary Austin Art School

Towering Eucalyptus

Towering Eucalyptus, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

SOLD

This stand of Eucalyptus trees was just down the hill from our cabin in Napa. Some friendly cows kept walking and snorting all around me, but none of them would go sit under the trees for me. I think they were more interested in the smell of the oil paint and in figuring out what I was doing there! 

As I was hard at work, a new friend from the conference came along and took this picture of me... Thanks Deb!

Misty Vineyard

Misty Vineyard, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

This fall has become a crazy time of travel for us... all good things, but crazy nonetheless! :) This past week, I had the good fortune of accompanying my husband to a conference in Napa Valley, CA. We were in the heart of the wine country and since he was in meetings, well, you know what I did! These rolling hills of vineyards were right outside our cottage door! Quite divine!

Please join me for my last workshop of the year...

En Plein Air: Strong Starts, November 6-8, 9am-1:30pm
Register @ The Contemporary Austin Art School

Morning Playtime

Morning Playtime, 12 x 9, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

Available - Click for information

This morning was a lovely playtime for me, AND playtime for lots of children in the botanical gardens here in Austin! Knowing I wanted to include figures today, I started painting and waited for my "subjects" to show up. When this little momma and her kids showed up, I knew they were mine. She is also a painter, so how fun is that? Many thanks to my new friends!

This is my quick pencil sketch of Mother and Baby...

it helped me make sense of things when I went at it with paint!

Angel Perch

Angel Perch, 12x9, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

SOLD

Today Plein Air Austin met up to paint together at Chapel Dulcinea outside of Austin. It's a wonderful wedding venue, complete with garden vignettes and walking trails that overlook the rolling hill country. I found this little cherub statue perching on a garden wall, and had to try and capture the scene. I loved the combination of straight and curvy. It was also great to see old friends and meet some new!

Please join me for my last workshop of the year...
En Plein Air: Strong Starts, November 6-8, 9am-1:30pm
Register @ The Contemporary Austin Art School

Murphy's

Murphy's, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

Available - Click for information 

Murphy's Tavern has been a local hang out on St. Simon's Island forever it seems... 35 years or more. It's a colorful place - both inside and out - and I've been wanting to paint it for some time. The other morning the light was just right so I gave it a go. I love those red doors! 

Many thanks to photographer Shirley Robinson for sending this action shot of me painting across the street from Murphy's Tavern. (A nice shady spot on a hot August morning!)

Old Water Tank

Old Water Tank, 12 x 9, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

SOLD

I have been spying this water tank for quite some time, and finally had the chance today to get out and paint it. As the sun lit up the tank against a cloudy sky, it absolutely glowed! It was a lovely combination of color and light. 

Swirling Sky

Swirling Sky, 12 x 9, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

SOLD

A weekend trip to the Georgia coast brought me to this gorgeous marsh scene in "afternoon shower" mode. The roiling clouds were full but the distant rains never made it over the marsh to where I was painting. Dramatic skies like this always take my breath away; and it's a joy when I get to stop and paint them.

Jennifer's Garden

Jennifer's Garden, 12 x 9, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

SOLD

A recent visit to my friend's garden presented me with this little scene. It felt a bit like being in a European village, and spending a morning painting there was exactly like being on a lovely vacation! My great thanks to Jennifer, who always leaves her gate open and the light "on". I so appreciate her generosity! :)

Hills Of Color - Exhibit at Davis Gallery

Hills of Color, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

SOLD

"A Summer Place Where We Can Go" Group Show

Davis Gallery, 837 West 12th, Austin, Texas

Reception June 27, 7-9 pm

On display through August 8

This painting is also available at Davis Gallery. I painted it this spring, during our spectacular wildflower season. The wildflowers are always gorgeous, but this year was especially abundant! 

Vintage Farmstead - Georgia Coast

Vintage Farmstead, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

Available - Click for information

This old barn was once part of the day to day operations of the Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation in Brunswick, GA. The plantation played a role in the history and culture of Georgia's rice production along the coastal waterways, and its giant oak trees are spectacular, complete with Spanish moss rustling in the breeze off the marsh. I love imagining life here, back in the day.

Morning Stroll - Georgia Coast

Morning Stroll, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

Available - Click for information

Have I mentioned that I am feeling more and more drawn to adding people into my paintings? One blogger friend of mine finds that figures give us identification... we can relate to them and that invites us into the scene. I think it's true. It adds, well... life! When this mama and son walked into my view, suddenly nothing else mattered but their connection to each other. My focus totally shifted. 

Stable Grasses

Stable Grasses, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

Available - Click for information

The waving grasses all around this farmstead were thick, and full of color and life. I loved spending a quiet afternoon painting this weathered and comfortable place. 

Please join me for a workshop in St. Simons Island, GA. Coming up soon...

Color and Value in Landscape - Plein Air Workshop

April 30-May 2, 2015 

Anderson Fine Art Gallery | St. Simons Island, GA

Click HERE for details and registration information

Plein Air Southwest - Exhibit in Dallas!

Beach Cottage, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

SOLD

I am very pleased to be participating in the "Plein Air Southwest Salon", the Outdoor Painters Society's annual juried exhibit  in Dallas. These four paintings of mine will be on display and I look forward to seeing the whole show. It's always a great one! If you are in Dallas on Saturday, please stop by the gallery!

Plein Air Southwest Salon 2015

Southwest Gallery

4500 Sigma Road, Dallas, TX

Reception 4/11/15, 2-5 pm

Boat Launch, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2014, $725 + s/h

SOLD

Village Boulevard, 12 x 16, L. Daniel © 2015, $875 + s/h

Creek Flight, 8 x 16, L. Daniel © 2015 

SOLD

Stay tuned for more Bluebonnet paintings next week!

Rolling Hills of Color

Rolling Hills of Color, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

SOLD

As you can see, I seem to be on a daily hunt to find wildflowers to paint. They don't last long, so I like to seize the moment when it comes. Some of the prettiest patches are right on the side of our highways. People literally park on the shoulders, plop their kids in the middle of the flowers, and take pictures with traffic whizzing by. I prefer the more secluded patches, and this one was lovely.  

Please join me for this upcoming Workshop (last till fall):

April 30-May 2, 2015 | Plein Air | Click here to register: St. Simons Island, GA

Blue Meadow

Blue Meadow, 12 x 9, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

Available - Click for information

Here is another piece from my week of expeditions into the bluebonnet fields. While I was out painting, some friendly hikers shared their thoughts... a cute couple from Minnesota was quite adamant that "Bluebonnets really are purple, not blue" (I think they are both/and), another group pointed out that we have it all wrong here because "in California these flowers are called Lupines" (same plant family), and I got lots of offers for "posing" if I wanted to include a person or two. Never a dull moment. :)

H A P P Y    E A S T E R    E V E R Y O N E !

Please join me for this upcoming Workshop (last till fall):

April 30-May 2, 2015 | Plein Air | Click here to register: St. Simons Island, GA

Overcast Morning

Overcast Morning, 12 x 9, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

Over the long weekend, I was happy to get out and paint, even if it was just a couple of times. The weather was cold and harsh, but rain or shine, I love being at the Georgia coast with paintbrush in hand. 

Please join me for these upcoming Workshops:

March 26-29, 2015 | Plein Air | Click here to register: Austin, Texas

April 30-May 2, 2015 | Plein Air | Click here to register: St. Simons Island, GA

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!

Butterfly Ginger, 12 x 9, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2014

M E R R Y   C H R I S T M A S 

A N D   H A P P Y   H O L I D A Y S   T O   A L L !

Thank you for your support and friendship, 

and for following my work through this blog. 

I appreciate the encouragement more than you can know. 

Many blessings, 

Laurel

High Clouds

High Clouds, 12 x 9, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2014

Clouds above Lake Austin… always compelling! These were moving fast, so after blocking the shapes in, I was mostly painting from memory. (It was very hard to keep from changing them over and over.) Thankfully, new cloud formations kept rolling in and I was able to figure out how to handle the light and shadows from those. :)