Vineyard Light - En Plein Air Texas!

Vineyard Light, 8 x 16, oil, L. Daniel © 2015

En Plein Air Texas!

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After painting on the main street of the little town of Cristoval all morning (and talking to every visitor to the post office), a quiet afternoon in the Cristoval Vineyard was MORE than refreshing! Standing under some huge oak trees with a delicious constant breeze, I basked in the solitude. The colorful umbrellas at the tasting room are what caught my eye and I loved how they played "hide and seek" through the trees. Did I get a taste of the  vineyard wares? When I finished painting it was dinner time, so no, I did not. I'll just have to go back! :)

U.S. Post - En Plein Air Texas!

U.S. Post - Cristoval, 12 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

En Plein Air Texas!

Available - Click for information

On Tuesday of the competition, we were invited to paint in and around the little town of Cristoval, TX, south of San Angelo. This little post office is the main meeting place for the townsfolk there (according to several who stopped to chat), AND they had recently gussied it up with new awnings (just for me, I decided!) Something about the tiny building, the striped awnings, and the giant flag was just too hard to pass up! 

Have I mentioned the wonderful San Angeloan hospitality? They provided lunch every day and dinners most nights. On this day, one of the volunteers brought hot fajitas and a HUGE piece of chocolate cake right to me, where I was painting. It was way over the top! THANK YOU ALL!!!

Quiet Place - And news about En Plein Air Texas!

Quiet Place, 12 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

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If you watch the news, you might know that we just had a big "weather event" in Austin that brought us much needed rain. In central Texas, this also means flash flooding and treacherous road conditions. Since precipitation was in the forecast for several days prior to the big event, we all adjusted plans and canceled activities while we waited. On one of those days offered a break in the gloom, so I grabbed my paints and went out to our garden. I didn't want to go far, "just in case". As it turned out, I had an entire morning with no drops from the sky, and the sun even broke through! I was so glad I ventured out, if only in my own backyard. Lesson learned...  

This week, I am off to San Angelo for the "En Plein Air Texas!" painting event. 34 juried painters checked in on Sunday and we are painting fast and furiously all week. It's a fabulous group of painters, and on Friday night (October 30), our framed wet paintings will be presented at the Art Collectors Stampede at Fort Concho. If you are any where nearby, please come and join us. The work will be on display all weekend - wish me luck! :)

Park Gazebo

Park Gazebo, 12 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

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What could be better than sitting in the shade of an outdoor gazebo, enjoying a steady ocean breeze? It's one of life's simple, delicious pleasures...

Old Corner Station

Old Corner Station, 12 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

This weekend, Plein Air Austin met up in the little town of Driftwood, just outside of Austin. It's pretty small and this little corner gas station is a piece of the past. There was a grove of trees right across the street that provided a shady spot for setting up. What a lovely morning! It was quite wonderful to paint with old friends that I haven't seen for awhile. :)

Tall Pines

Tall Pines, 16 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

GIFTED

On Friday, I had the good fortune of joining a good friend at her serene, forested property in Bastrop, Texas. This is the little town east of Austin that suffered horrible fires a few years ago. Many families lost their homes, and thousands upon thousands of beautiful Loblolly Pines were destroyed. Painting these majestic old-growth specimens felt like being on sacred ground. Indeed, this is a special place. My deepest thanks, TB! 

Sunlit Steeple Door - Georgia Coast

Steeple Door, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

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Christ Church on St. Simons Island was first built in 1820, under giant oak trees covered in Spanish moss. It's location is famous for being the spot where John and Charles Wesley brothers preached in the early 1800's. (Soon after, the brothers went back to England and founded the Methodist Church.) In the civil war, the church was partially destroyed by Union troops, and then rebuilt in 1884. It is a beautiful place inside and out, a treasured landmark on the island, and it's also where we worship when we are in town!

River Road - Georgia Coast

River Road, 8 x 16, oil on panel, L Daniel © 2015

I was able to stick around and paint for a week after my workshop on St. Simons Island. The weather was perfect - sunny but not too hot - and ideal for being outside. It felt like a real gift... to get out and enjoy the adventure of plein air from sun up to sundown. This is one of the paintings from some of my off-roading that week! :)

Marshland Creek - Third Place in Fine Arts and Flowers Show!

Marshland Creek Study, 16 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

Third Place Winner - Fine Arts and Flowers Exhibit

Glynn Visual Arts, St. Simons Island, Georgia

I am thrilled to share that "Marshland Creek Study" took third place in the Fine Arts and Flowers Exhibit at Glynn Visual Arts on St. Simons Island, Georgia. This is the first time I have participated in a juried show that pairs up painters and floral designers, and I was delighted by the idea. First, the paintings are juried into the show. Next, juried floral artists are each assigned a painting to interpret with flora and fauna. Finally it all comes together in a colorful exhibit. I am honored to be in the winner's circle with painters Nancy Boren (1st place), Katie Dobson Cundiff (2nd place) and John Guernsey (honorable mention.) Although I was unable to attend the opening, I hear it was a gorgeous thing to behold. 

The floral interpretation of my painting, arranged by Pat Collins (below), took First Place in the Flower Division. Congratulations to Pat and to all who participated!! Many thanks to the organizers of the show and juror Sarah Lamb.

Blanketed Hillside

Blanketed Hillside, 8 x 16, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

SOLD

Last week, Plein Air Austin met up at a park about an hour outside of town. The forecast said rain, but I had it on my calendar and decided to go anyway. The bluebonnets are always so prolific there in the spring, and I knew this year would be outstanding. The best part was that the sky cleared and the sun even came out for awhile... I was SO glad I didn't get scared off by the weatherman. :)

I have some spaces available in my upcoming workshop on the Georgia coast and would love to see you there. It will be beautiful there and a great time to paint! Please join me...

Color and Value in Landscape - Plein Air Workshop

Click here for details and registration info..

April 30-May 2, 2015 | Anderson Fine Art Gallery | St. Simons Island, GA

Ranch Sky and Panorama Photo!

Ranch Sky, 8 x 16, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2014

SOLD

A couple of weeks ago I met up with a photographer friend of mine, Scott David Gordon, to shoot one of his amazing panoramas. Scott is very close to completing a project called "Panorama 365" in which he challenged himself to create 365 panoramic images. This body of work includes cityscapes and country-scapes, long views and short views, AND... artists at work in their studios. 

Click on image to see it larger… photographer: Scott David Gordon

I was thrilled when Scott invited me to be one of his subjects for the project; and even more delighted when he suggested we do an "outdoor studio" shot. Since plein air painting is such a big part of my process, he reasoned that this would be just the right approach. I completely agreed and the collaboration began. Scott took pictures of me at different stages of painting, and was able to visualize ahead of time how the various angles could be stitched together to tell the story. The image he created beautifully captures it all. I think you will all agree with me that the photo is awesome! Thank you, Scott!! I am very honored to be part of "Panorama 365". 

Side note: "Ranch Sky" (painting above) was in process on my easel for the shoot. I thought it only right to do a panorama for the panorama! :)

Click HERE to see and read more about Scott's "Panorama 365" project.

Click HERE to see my panorama on his website and blog write up.

Dockside Study

Dockside Study, 8 x 16, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2014

I hope this finds you well, and enjoying summer! I have been busy painting and playing, and otherwise distracted from blogging and technology. :) This is a piece from my Georgia trip that I never got around to posting before my little hiatus. I just finished a larger version of it for a show later this year, so I have been living in this scene for the last week or so. It's always interesting how I can be transported right back to a location, with it's ever shifting elements. In this case, it was the incoming tide and elusive light that kept me on my toes. It's always  something! 

Sun Struck Villa

Sun Struck Villa, 12 x 12, oil on panel, L.Daniel © 2014

SOLD

Slanted morning light can be so dramatic. When I came onto this scene in a quiet island neighborhood, I was captivated by the slivers of light outlining the home and it's garden. I quickly set up my easel to try and catch the mood before everything changed. And it did change fast! What works best for me is to indicate all the dark values on my canvas first thing, before the shapes of light and dark shift. Then, it's important to hang onto that information and not chase the light as I finish the painting. Easier said than done! 

Garden Square - Demo and Process Notes

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

Today I did a painting demonstration at the new Anderson Gallery Annex on St. Simons Island, Georgia. Since the demo was indoors, I decided to replicate this plein air painting completed on location yesterday. Having the finished piece is a great reference because it helps students/viewers get an idea of where I am headed with all my process decisions.  (And it's a great reference for me as I paint the image again!!) I even remembered to take pictures to recap it here for them and for you. Many thanks to all my attendees!

The scene from my easel...

This  is a garden park named Hanover Square in Brunswick, Georgia. 

Block In...

Line and mass sketch establishes composition and value relationships. 

Paint color is a dark neutral mix of Ultramarine and Burnt Sienna.

Upright Plane…

Dark and light families in the upright elements adjust as they recede into the distance - values come together (darks get lighter and lights get darker).

Ground plane…

Since the ground plane reflects the sky, it is usually the second lightest element in the landscape (the lightest element will be the sky, where the sun is). 

Sky Plane and Final Highlights…

Once all elements are working together, add details and final highlights. This is a serious exercise in delayed gratification, but it always, ALWAYS works best to leave those details until the very end!

Woodland Hideaway - Georgia Coast

Woodland Hideaway, 8 x 16, oil on panel, L Daniel © 2013

SOLD

Old growth pine trees line the edges of many marshes in the low country. They are very tall and drop the loveliest smelling needles (commonly referred to as "pine straw"). People use pine straw to mulch their gardens; and after a good rain, the aroma is completely intoxicating! Just one of the simple pleasures...

Arbor Welcome - Georgia Coast

Arbor Welcome, 12 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2013

SOLD

I am very fortunate to be visiting and painting on St. Simon's Island, GA for a month. We are staying in a beach community, with wonderful old (and new) beach houses in the surrounding neighborhood. I love to check out the cottages on my morning walks and have always loved the entrance to this one. The vine covered arbor is just so warm and welcoming!

English Garden - Georgia Coast

English Garden, 12 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2013

SOLD

English gardens usually have an element of surprise and a bit of whimsy. This front yard garden was a delightful combination of both. Penny, the garden's owner (who is actually from England), was out pulling weeds when I got started painting her house. She was kind of enough to move her car and came out to check on me halfway through. Unfortunately, she was gone when I finished the painting, but I think she knew I loved all the color and textures in her yard. Thank you, Penny!

Garden Entrance - Georgia Coast

Garden Entrance, 12 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2013

This fancy side entrance leads to a shop in downtown Brunswick, Georgia. It is adjacent to a lovely public garden, where the agapanthus and hydrangeas are in full bloom and bursting with color. 

While I was painting there with my friend Alyson, we met some colorful local characters as well. They gave us a little bit of encouragement and LOTS of advice. My favorite tidbits included, "you need to 3-D it up a bit"... and... "you definitely, definitely need to add a flag." Some days, everyone stops to talk. 

Maggie's Dress Shop - Georgia Coast

Maggie's Dress Shop, 12 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2013

One thing is for sure about the south - people like to dress up. It's not at all uncommon to see linen dresses and seersucker suits across the aisle at church; and even the casual clothes seem a bit more colorful and coordinated than in other parts of the country. Maggie's has been selling women's finery on St. Simons Island for years. The turquoise building, arched window displays, and red geraniums are a true siren song for the shopper in anyone. :)

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