Treasure Seeker, 7 x 5, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2021
SOLD
Showing posts with label price sold. Show all posts
Showing posts with label price sold. Show all posts
Thursday, November 25, 2021
Treasure Seeker - Figures on Friday #8
Wednesday, October 28, 2020
Pink Blush - Show Pics!
Pink Blush, 36 x 36, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2020
SOLD in solo show (Click for larger view)
Evidence of the Search - on display through November 25
I am so happy to report that my show opening was WONDERFUL! And... we found a way to gather that was safe in the time of COVID. Visits were staggered through out the night, with only 10 people in the gallery at a time. The upside? Conversations could actually be had, and the paintings could actually be seen! Silver linings! ;)
The young woman who purchased "Pink Blush" saw it online, fell in love with it, and immediately called to claim it (I think she used the word "swoon" which made my heart sing.) When she came by to see it in real life, she squealed, "it's even more beautiful in person!" Of course, I began to apologize and explain how hard it is to get a good photo image of a painting... especially a large one... "Oh no", she said, "I LOVE that it's better in person! That's what makes it art, it needs to be experienced!"
VERY TRUE! She is so right. Art is meant to be walked up to, engaged with... EXPERIENCED! I wish you could all come and walk right up to each piece!
Here are some gallery shots from the opening...
And yesterday, I took my parents in for a "private" viewing!
Aren't I the lucky one?? :)
Wednesday, October 14, 2020
Around the Bend and Upcoming Show!
Around the Bend, 36 x 60, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2020
My largest piece in the show... Sold in Pre-sale! :)
Dear Blog Friends,
When I disappeared at the end of August, the details of my show were calling for my complete attention. I am happy to report that my most recent body of work is now delivered to the gallery for final framing and hanging! WOO HOO! It feels good, let me tell you!
If you are anywhere nearby, please come see the show...
EVIDENCE OF THE SEARCH
New Work by Laurel Daniel
October 24 - November 25
Davis Gallery, Austin, TX
Reception Oct 24, 4-8pm
Reception details in the time of Covid:
To keep everyone healthy, the gallery reception will be broken into 30 minute increments of no more than ten people at a time. Book a time slot to the reception through EventBrite.
Three trips to the gallery later, the paintings were all delivered! :)
Thursday, July 16, 2020
Country Field - Fix It Friday #20... and PleinAir LIVE!
Country Field, 8 x 6, Oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2020
SOLD
I posted this "Fix" last year, long before I thought of doing this series of "Fix It Friday" on a weekly basis. Since this has been a *busy week for me, I am posting it again. (I couldn't miss my 20th week in a row of Fix-It Friday!) And I think this painting's changes are worth revisiting...
(*See Out-takes from PleinAir Live at the end!)
BEFORE
AFTER
CHANGES
Problem - Main tree was too perfectly round and static.
Fix - Gave the main tree a more interesting shape by cutting back into it with the sky and distant tree line.
Problem - Distant trees were not receding or separating enough from front tree.
Fix - I cooled down distant row of trees.
Problem - Too much weight on the left side.
Fix - Added more fencing on the right. The added fence counterbalances that weight and creates a more specific "path" into the scene.
Problem - The highlights did not convey the light of that day.
Fix - Lightened up the highlights on the trees.
Problem - There was no reference to the season.
Fix - Added Bluebonnets. It was Texas in Spring, and I just HAD to!! Bluebonnets were everywhere else and I had plenty of reference.
OBSERVATIONS
This is another case where I had stuck a little too close to reality and lost the feeling! It comes down to this question - what is more important: aesthetic or reality? I say aesthetic. Sometimes it is necessary to adjust reality a bit to accurately portray what we SEE and FEEL about our subject. Permission granted to make changes for the betterment of your painting!
AND... Below are pictures from my teaching sessions at PleinAir LIVE!
Broadcasting live from the studio of PleinAir Magazine in Austin!
One presentation included an overview of my process of building a painting and a color mixing demo...
The other presentation was about overcoming the challenges of painting outside.
Each presentation ended in a Q and A session with Eric Rhodes, publisher of PleinAir Magazine. A HUGE thank you to Eric, the magazine, and to all who signed up!!!
Thursday, May 28, 2020
Azure Fields - Fix It Friday #13
Azure Fields, 24 x 36, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2020
SOLD - private collection
This is another Fix-It from my archives. Although the painting (and changes) are several years old, it illustrates a huge lesson about landscapes that I encounter again and again...
BEFORE
AFTER
CHANGES:
Problem 1 - The horizon line split the top of the painting from the bottom of the painting (I'm referring to the sharp edge and high contrast where ground plane met the upright plane. The ground plane looked like a skating rink, am I right?)
Fix 1 - Muted/darkened the color of the ground plane which eliminated the high contrast.
Fix 2 - Softened the static, hard edge with grasses and flowers that break the horizontal line.
OBSERVATIONS:
To establish depth in a painting, we have several devices in our toolbox: 1) overlapping layers (indicates front and back), 2) scale shift (elements get smaller as they recede), 3) muting color (color gets more dull and cooler as it recedes), 4) eliminating contrast (values weaken as they recede.) Eliminating that sharp line at the horizon allowed everything to settle in. Ahhh... what relief!!! :)
Thursday, April 2, 2020
Fix It Friday #5 - Spring Wildflowers
Spring Wildflowers, 6 x 8, Oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2020
SOLD
It's spring in central Texas, and the wildflowers abound! Sadly, we are all staying inside and are not getting to see much of the glorious display. Today, I am showing a small painting that started out in the field, and got changed (A LOT) in the studio several years later.
Meanwhile, I hope you are all managing in this crisis. It's hard. I'm trying to stay focused with my studio work, but...finding a new rhythm is challenging! Wishing you great clarity and productivity in these days...
BEFORE
AFTER
Problem 1 - Small shrub overpowers the wildflowers.
Fix 1 - Removed Shrub.
Fix 2 - Made flowers more dominant (and changed them).
Problem 2 - Muted sky feels dull.
Fix 1 - Dragged a pop of color into sky to liven it up.
OBSERVATIONS:
When I painted the original, it seemed important to include the shrub to fill out the scene. Later, I could see that it dominated, but wasn't very interesting. Then I removed it, well... turns out, the flowers were not quite "enough" to carry the scene either (I guess that was why I included the shrub in the first place.) I realized that I needed the focal element to become more important and to pop above the horizon line. That is when the flowers just evolved into a whole new variety!
Sometimes the fix needs a fix! ;)
Click Here to see Fix it Friday #2
Tuesday, March 3, 2020
Blooming Hydrangeas and Spring Workshop Info
Blooming Hydrangeas, 24 x 48, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2020
Commission for Private Collection - SOLD
"Blooming Hydrangeas" is another commission piece I recently completed. My client had admired some other hydrangea paintings of mine (as you know, they are a favorite subject for me), but she wanted something very specific for her newly redone bedroom. It was such fun working with her, and coming up with that perfect certain "je ne sais quoi". I love it when collaborations take me in inspiring directions. This was a fun one.
Painting large from a proportionally smaller still life. This is NOT a "sight size" situation (if you know the sight size method)! It REALLY helps to do a smaller sketch first, for placement and composition, and for overall management of the painting.
The small graphite sketch I worked from... foundational to the painting.
The painting, framed and "in situ"! Kind of makes you want to do a room makeover, doesn't it?
___________________________
2020 SPRING PLEIN AIR WORKSHOP INFO:
March 30-April 2, 2020 - Wimberley, Texas
April 16-18, 2020 - St. Simons Island, Georgia
May 8-9, 2020 - Austin, Texas (full with wait list)
Sunday, March 1, 2020
Austin Country Club Commission... installed and unveiled!
Davenport Clubhouse, 4' x 5', oil on canvas, Laurel Daniel © 2020
Austin Country Club Commission - SOLD
(If you follow me on social media or get my newsletter, you have seen these photos already. Please forgive my repetition, but I feel compelled to share this story here as well, since it represents a big chunk of my time and energy over the last months!)
Here is a little bit of the story...
I was commissioned last September to do this 4' x 5' painting for the Austin Country Club (ACC), in Austin, TX. So I cleared the decks and worked on it fairly exclusively until the end of the year. Though it was not a secret endeavor, I never feel comfortable sharing much about a commission until it's totally finished and approved. On February 4th, it was installed and unveiled (literally) at a champagne reception in the main lobby of the club. Such fun!
My painting is part of a larger project that highlights and celebrates the club's history. The master plan includes a painting of each of the three clubhouses from which ACC has operated in its 100+ years. Mine depicts the current clubhouse, while the earlier two locations were interpreted by Texas artists Tom Evans and Dan Blagg. There is a fourth painting, a portrait by Carol Ivey, of three of the club's most famous golf members (Harvey Penick, Tom Kite, and Ben Crenshaw.)
It is a huge thrill and honor for me to be a part of this expansive and local project! Many thanks to the ACC board and to all who made this happen!
A real "unveiling"... my first ever! It was actually a little tricky to get that sheet off without yanking the painting right off the wall. As you can see, I did get some help to prevent that!
The classic grinning-artist-in-front-of-painting-shot (a must have)! ;)
Left: Hancock Clubhouse by Tom Evans
Middle: Davenport Clubhouse by Laurel Daniel
Right: Riverside Clubhouse by Dan Blagg
Such a pretty setting, right? I am simply delighted!
Monday, December 2, 2019
Awakened to Life - Davis Gallery Group Show
Awakened to Life, 30 x 24, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2019
On display in Davis Gallery Group Show, Austin, TX
SOLD
Please join me at the Davis Gallery for the opening of our holiday group show...
Looking Out, Looking In
Davis Gallery Group Show, Austin, TX
Reception Saturday, December 7
7:00-9:00 pm
Runs through January 11, 2020
As usual, this show will be inspiring. Here is the description...
Davis Gallery is pleased to announce Looking Out, Looking In, an extensive group exhibit focused on the personal philosophies of premiere Austin and Central Texas based artists. This amorphous concept allows artists to explore the theme freely, and in their own voice. Sacred Geometry, the importance of family, life and death, our connection to Nature, and spirituality are among the perspectives that artists have chosen to focus on. Each of the participating artists have created new work, or carefully chosen work from the past, which uniquely recognizes these concepts.
Thursday, October 31, 2019
Autumn Grazing - AWA Show at RS Hanna Gallery!
Autumn Grazing, 18 x 18, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2019
On display at the RS Hanna Gallery, SOLD in pre-sale! :)
This weekend, please join us at the opening reception for this year's American Women Artist (AWA) show in Fredericksburg, Texas! Here is the info...
A Tradition of Excellence
American Women Artists at the RS Hanna Gallery
244 West Main St, Fredericksburg, TX
On display through December 7
Reception November 1, 6-9 pm
As you can see, I was not quite done with my Longhorn series, and I suspect I will revisit these guys again in the future. AND... I am delighted to share that they have already found their forever home! YAY!
___________________________
2020 PLEIN AIR WORKSHOP INFO:
March 30-April 2, 2020 - Wimberley, Texas
April 16-18, 2020 - St. Simons Island, Georgia
May 8-9, 2020 - Austin, Texas
Tuesday, October 29, 2019
Texas Spring - Managing a Commission
Texas Spring, 24 x 30, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2019
Commissioned Painting - SOLD
As I shared in my last post, I was commissioned earlier this year to paint a classic Texas scene. It has all the usual suspects of the Texas Hill Country; oak trees, bluebonnets, a big sky and longhorns! Many thanks to my incredible client... she was a dream to work with!!
A word about commissions...
Commissions can be complicated, but I've learned to enjoy them. The key is communication. When I explain my process to clients and keep them in the loop, all goes well. It is important to establish a detailed timeline with achievable check-in points, and then to meet each deadline. Meet EACH deadline. I can not tell you how important this is (and really, it's true in every business!) Being reliable is almost as important as the final product.
After a nice long discussion with my client (which included looking at lots of my other work), we agreed on the subject matter. I try to really understand what the client wants and we get there with LOTS of visuals. After that, we agreed on a process that would include the following check-in/approval points: 1) a sketch of the proposed scene, 2) a color study of the proposed scene, 3) the block-in stage for composition placement on actual piece, 4) final image at completion.
It might be helpful to note that I WANT the client's approval at each of these stages when I do a commission. I don't find it annoying because truly, it's the key to success. And after all, my greatest desire is that the client will LOVE the finished piece! Changes are much easier early on, and last minute surprises are not good for anyone this process!
Here is how it went...
CHECKPOINT 1 - The Graphite Sketch, 8x10, for composition.
After discussing with my client, we agreed to enlarge the scene. She wanted more of our big Texas sky, and more reference to clouds... NOT approved, see fix...
Expanded Graphite Sketch, 10x13, modified composition.
Since my client loved all the other elements, I simply adjusted the drawing to include more sky (you can see the original edge.) APPROVED!
CHECKPOINT 2 - Color Study in Oil, 12x16, for color, value, and mood.
Note that this study is not in the correct proportions. Normally I would recommend staying true to proportions throughout. It's just easier. Since my client was able to visualize these colors in the expanded scene, she felt she had enough and did not require another study - yay. APPROVED!
CHECKPOINT 3 - Painting Block-in in oil, 24 x 30, for placement.
Hopefully, when I present the block-in to my client, it looks A LOT lite the approved drawing. However, if something is off, or bothers them, I would rather know and fix it at this stage. (I don't want to be moving trees or adding a longhorn after the painting is complete.) APPROVED!
CHECKPOINT 4 - Finished Piece, 24 x 30, oil on canvas
Usually, by the time I get to this point in the painting, my client has been so much a part of the journey that it feels like we have finished it together! I'm not saying there are never changes, but I find the changes are completely manageable when expectations are properly set. APPROVED!
And there is nothing quite like that final approval! AHHHHHH! :)
Sunday, October 13, 2019
Sea Breezes and a great surprise!
Sea Breezes, 40 x 30, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2019
Sold at the Anderson Fine Art Gallery
Last week I shipped this painting to the Anderson Fine Art Gallery in Georgia, fresh off the easel. I was very happy with the piece and excited to be replenishing my inventory. What could be better? Well, here is what... my gallery's owner stuck it right in the window of the shop, and two hours later it was SOLD! Yeee Haw!!!! Such a wonderful surprise - Thank you new collectors, and thank you Anderson Gallery!!!!! :)
Monday, October 7, 2019
Turquoise Vase - Simple Shapes Before Detail
Turquoise Vase, 24 x 24, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2019
SOLD in solo show "Beaches, Birds and Botanicals"
I do love a vessel full of Hydrangeas, and I was very happy when a sweet young couple shared that love and snapped up this piece! It's fun to see young families picking mutual favorites, imagining a place on their walls, and thoughtfully building their art collections. Well... let's face it, it is fun to see ANYONE building their art collection!
For my painter friends out there, here is a tip I find most helpful...
I often talk about my general painting process, but with this piece I want to emphasize the importance of building your paintings on a foundation of big shapes and simple values. Why? Because working from simple to complex sets you up for a much more satisfying finish than diving straight into the details. AND, hydrangeas are a great subject to illustrate that principle.
My block-in focuses on large shapes of shadow and light.
I purposefully avoid the individual petals of the flowers... EVEN THOUGH there are millions of them. My goal at this point: authentic shapes, edges and profile.
Going to color, I hang on tightly to the simple shapes.
I keep the shadow and light families separated, and I am still avoiding individual petals! My goal at this point: a subject that is recognizable by shape before any "detail" is added. I often want to stop at this point because I love the simplicity (and sometimes I do!) ;)
At completion, details emerge but my foundational value shapes remain.
I loosely suggest petal detail with subtle shifts within the light family, and
subtle shifts within the shadow family. And never the twain shall meet (meaning, the two value ranges do not overlap much or at all.) In the end, the shadow and light patterns tell the story, not the details! (Click HERE to see the painting "details" in a high res image.)
___________________________
2019 PLEIN AIR WORKSHOP INFO:
November 8-9, 2019 - Austin, Texas
2020 PLEIN AIR WORKSHOP INFO:
March 30-April 2, 2020 - Wimberley, Texas
Contact Helena Hauk, Wimberley Artists Workshops, 800-327-1913
Date is firm - details coming soon!
April 16-18, 2020 - St. Simons Island, Georgia
Contact Mary Anderson, Anderson Fine Art Gallery, 912-634-8414
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)