Distant Shore - Fix It Friday #14

Distant Shore, 30 x 40, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2020

SOLD

This was another large-scale "make-over" project... As I shared a few weeks ago, changes can can be scary, particularly when I have worked long and hard on a distinctly large piece. My fearful voice whispers, "leave well enough alone", while my bold voice cheers and cajoles, "don't be a wimp, go for it!!"

BEFORE

AFTER

CHANGES:

Problem 1 - The scene lacked the sense of depth I was going for.

Fix 1 - Enlarged the foreground clouds. This not only brought them closer (which helped push back the distant shore), it also provided the "reason" for such extensive beach shadows.

Fix 2 - Defined the distant figures to help reinforce the sense of scale.

Problem 2 - The sky lacked movement and drama.

Fix 1 - Gave the clouds more action by breaking up the edges.

Fix 2 - Added more layers of stratus clouds in the distance to enhance sense of movement.

OBSERVATIONS:

So what was I going for?? I wanted to capture that expansive, immenseness of nature's elements. I think I got a little closer in the second version, but it's a never ending pursuit. Creation is wonderfully grand.

Click Here to see Fix It Friday #1

Click Here to see Fix it Friday #2 

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Click Here to see Fix it Friday #11
Click Here to see Fix it Friday #12
Click Here to see Fix it Friday #13

Morning Reflections

Morning Reflections, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2020

Available

Last week, I was able to get outside and do some plein air painting in Georgia. Things are beginning to open up there (with lots of caution of course), and it felt mighty good to be out and about. As I drove over to Jekyll Island for the day, this view on the causeway stopped me in my tracks. We had a lovely breeze, and a morning with drifting clouds and calling birds. DELISH!

I'm sure you share my longing for the day COVID is in our rearview... let it be soon!

Beach Cove Overlook - Fix It Friday #12

Beach Cove Overlook, 18 x 36, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2020

SOLD

Today, I am re-sharing a "fix" I made a few years ago... 

After enlarging a plein air piece I painted in California, I immediately saw problems that had not surfaced in the smaller study. Sometimes that happens when going from small to large. 

Here's what happened next...

BEFORE

AFTER

CHANGES:

Problem 1 - The main subject was unapproachable (grass and foliage in the way).

Fix 1 - Added a pathway that leads to the main subject and focal point. 

Problem 2 - The cove was too circular and dominant.

Fix 1 - Pushed it back by making the shape of cove and waves more elliptical.

Fix 2 - Increased the mass and height of grasses on the bluff to visually overlap the cove (which also helps to subdue it and push it back). 

OBSERVATIONS:

This had the classic battle of different elements fighting for the spotlight. Background was trying to come forward, and the subject was a bit buried. By clarifying a hierarchy of elements, the tension lifted and the whole scene was able to settle into place.

Click Here to see Fix It Friday #1

Click Here to see Fix it Friday #2 

Click Here to see Fix it Friday #3

Click Here to see Fix it Friday #4

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Click Here to see Fix it Friday #6

Click Here to see Fix it Friday #7

Click Here to see Fix it Friday #8

Click Here to see Fix it Friday #9

Click Here to see Fix it Friday #10

Click Here to see Fix it Friday #11

Out Beyond the Shore - Fix it Friday #7

Out Beyond the Shore, Oil on Canvas, 30 x 30, L. Daniel © 2020

Available - Click for Information 

Today's "fix it" subject is a large piece that I first painted in 2009... 11 years ago!! At the time, I liked it well enough, but as it never sold, it began the art storage shuffle. It went from one closet to another, under a bed, back to a closet, etc. (You artist friends know what I am talking about! And hey, 11 years goes fast!!) Eventually it ended up in the "to be gessoed over" stack in my garage. After all, I thought, it's a large canvas and I can use it again. Ever the frugal one, am I. 

Well, at the last minute, I decided to try and resurrect it. Here are the results. You can still "find" the original in there, but it became a new painting and... it's going in my upcoming show!

BEFORE (painted 11 years ago in 2009)

AFTER (edited in 2020)

CHANGES:

Problem 1 - Color palette was too intense.

Fix 1 - Covered up almost ALL of that intense orange.

Fix 2 - Saved intense orange for pop at sun (focal point) and foreground reflections.

Problem 2 - Painting lacked depth (especially in sky).

Fix 1 - Muted down the color at the horizon to push that into the distance.

Fix 2 - Added a cloud pattern to establish space with overlapping layers and values. 

Fix 3 - Made sun smaller and lower to make it look farther away. 

Problem 3 - Brushwork was amateurish.

Fix 1 - Replaced overlarge mark-making with passages of painterly strokes. 

Fix 2 - Replaced too-broad single strokes with accurately sized highlights.

Problem 4 - Rocks looked flat, like cutouts.

Fix 1 - Reworked masses for a more defining profile.

Fix 2 - Added highlights reflected from the sun to give volume. 

OBSERVATIONS:

Biggest takeaway??? Color loses its power when used everywhere in a painting. Reducing the overall orange-ness and bringing in lots of neutrals, made the remaining color much more effective. Those pops of orange now direct the eye right to the focal point of this piece, which is always the goal. It's all about restraint... knowing when to hold back!

And now I digress, but... isn't this true of many things? We tend toward overdoing. If we like it, well, more, more, more! I'm reminded of something a dear friend shared at a particularly over-committed time of my life, "you can choke on good food too, you know." She was right. 

Click Here to see Fix It Friday #1

Click Here to see Fix it Friday #2 

Click Here to see Fix it Friday #3

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Click Here to see Fix it Friday #5

Click Here to see Fix it Friday #6

Winter Harbor

Winter Harbor, 8 x 6, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2019

SOLD

Another title for this piece could have been "Moored and Forgotten". Although the harbor waters were smooth as glass, the air was frosty and no one was out for water sports of any kind! The upside??? Those three boats stayed right in place for the duration of my painting session! It was pretty cold for painting too. I'm not going to lie, I didn't last long myself. :)

___________________________

2020 PLEIN AIR WORKSHOP INFO:

(A good thing to add to your Christmas list!)

March 30-April 2, 2020 - Wimberley, Texas

April 16-18, 2020 - St. Simons Island, Georgia

May 8-9, 2020 - Austin, Texas

SEE DETAILS ON MY WEBSITE: laureldaniel.com 

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. :)

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!!!!! :)

Misty Spray - painting in Laguna Beach!

Misty Spray, 10 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2019

Available - Click HERE for information

I saw this spot from above and decided to hike down to it. In theory, I was just "checking it out", but deep down I knew I would not go back up until I had finished a painting. Partly, because of the climb... for sure. But more importantly, I have learned that if I don't settle down and get started, I might roam around for two hours with nothing to show for it!

Soon after I started, that overcast sky began to drizzle. It was my last morning to paint in CA, and I was not about to turn back. Thankfully, I had my umbrella (which works just as well for rain as it does for sun), so I popped it up and was able to forge on. I'm sure you have heard that oil and water don't mix, well it is very true! If the canvas gets wet, the paint won't stick!! 

2019 PLEIN AIR WORKSHOP INFO:

November 8-9, 2019 - Austin, Texas

Contemporary Austin Art School, FULL - Register for waitlist Here 

2020 PLEIN AIR WORKSHOP INFO:

March 30-April 2, 2020 - Wimberley, Texas

Contact Helena Hauk, Wimberley Artists Workshops, 800-327-1913

April 16-18, 2020 - St. Simons Island, Georgia

Contact Mary Anderson, Anderson Fine Art Gallery, 912-634-8414

Rock Passage - painting in Laguna Beach!!

Rock Passage, 12 x 10, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2019

SOLD

Last week I had a wonderful opportunity to do some painting in Laguna Beach, CA! SUCH fun!! It's a beautiful place and there is a compelling view in every direction. The hard part, as always, was choosing what to paint and how much to include. This iconic rock formation is probably the most painted spot there, but I couldn't resist giving it a go. 

Here is my set up from the overlooking cliff...

2019 PLEIN AIR WORKSHOP INFO:

Nov. 8-9, 2019 - Austin, Texas

Contemporary Austin Art School 

FULL - Register for waitlist Here 

2020 PLEIN AIR WORKSHOP INFO:

March 30-April 2, 2020 - Wimberley, Texas

Contact Helena Hauk, Wimberley Artists Workshops, 800-327-1913

April 16-18, 2020 - St. Simons Island, Georgia

Contact Mary Anderson, Anderson Fine Art Gallery, 912-634-8414 

Distant Shore

Distant Shore, 30 x 40, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2019

from solo show "Beaches, Birds, and Botanicals"

Available at the Anderson Fine Art Gallery

Here is another beach walking memory... and it was all about that little pop of light on the distant shore. Or, maybe it was about the distant shore on beyond that pop of light. This wide expanse seems to go on forever, and there is always something new in the distance to catch my attention and follow! Just a little farther...

Click HERE to see larger version.

Join me for an upcoming workshop...
Fall Plein Air Workshop at Contemporary Austin Art School, Nov. 8-9, 2019 - Register Here

Drifting Dunes

Drifting Dunes, 30 x 40, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2019

Sold in solo show, "Beaches, Birds, and Botanicals"

Anderson Fine Art Gallery

I love the beach, especially when it glows in the early morning sunlight. It has a nourishing quietness that can sustain the rest of the day... one of those things that elicits the phrase, "if only we could bottle that up!" Painting is one way for me to do just that. It's my own private bottling factory that allows me to revisit some of my favorite moments.

Join me for an upcoming workshop...
Fall Plein Air Workshop at Contemporary Austin Art School, Nov. 8-9, 2019 - Register Here

Foggy Coastline - And Happy Thanksgiving!!

Foggy Coastline, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2018

Available - Click for Information

This is another plein air piece from my California trip last month. The fog cover over Spanish Bay was pretty thick all morning, which made for a nice study of atmospheric perspective. This gorgeous ocean view is right along the famous 17-Mile Drive... a delightful place to breathe in and contemplate!

Wishing you a HAPPY and BLESSED Thanksgiving!!!

Hidden Beach - Painting on the West Coast

Hidden Beach, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2018

Available - click for more information 

I know I have been missing in action for a couple months, and I am happy to report that all is well with me! Thanks to those who checked in! Once I finished those large commissions, I got my house and studio back in order, and I took a break! We traveled some, had a long visit with our daughter and her children, and just enjoyed life. 

This is a painting from our trip to Carmel, CA, one of our fall excursions. Hidden Beach is a small cove, off the hiking trail at the end of Point Lobos. It was a bit of a hike to get down to, and I had a fabulous quiet morning painting the waves and rocks in a lovely patch of shade. (The bright sunlight can be challenging and I forgot my umbrella, so that shade was a welcome surprise.) Very few hikers ventured down the path, so I had the "beach" pretty much to myself. It was awesome. 

Here are some other art-making moments... You will be happy to know that even though I was taking a break, my studio was in full use!

The Heavens Rejoice - Eternal Hope

The Heavens Rejoice - Eternal Hope, 18 x 18, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2018

SOLD in Davis Gallery "Reflector" Exhibit

Last night's opening at the Davis Gallery was a wonderful time! It's always so much fun to see and celebrate the work of the gallery artists all hanging together; and it's also great to have friends and family come out to support us. I was delighted to discover that this piece sold before the show opened last week! YAY! It was shipped out immediately, and consequently, it is not on display anymore... but I can still show it here! :)

Here are some pictures of the party with some dear artist friends...

with Tammy Brown

with Chris De Dier and Joe Hammer

with Lynda Young Kaffie

Morning Search

Morning Search, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2018

SOLD

I titled this painting "Morning Search" for two reasons.... 1) as a nod to those hungry sea birds, who were clearly on a hunt for their breakfast, and 2) as a reference to MY OWN pursuit of the perfect place to set up and paint. My search ended at a narrow beach access, which opened up onto this breezy, ocean scene. I have said this before I know, but the serendipity of discovering hidden, new places is one of my favorite things about plein air painting. I rarely know exactly where I'll end up when I leave the house in the morning. It's like a fabulous treasure hunt!

Beachview Garden

Beach View Garden, 8 x 10, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2018

SOLD

While I was on the Georgia coast teaching, I had some free time to roam about and do some plein air work of my own. It felt good to be outside painting after so many months inside. I loved these little cottages when I came upon them... brilliant, colorful gardens in front, with the big, beautiful ocean in back. What a day!!

Craggy Shore and a winter group show in Austin!

Craggy Shore, 30 x 40, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2018

Available at the Davis Gallery

This painting is an enlargement from a small plein air study I did a year or so ago. It was the perfect subject for our current group show, "In Depth", at the Davis Gallery here in Austin. For this exhibit, each gallery artist was asked to consider the 5th element of art - space - as we created works to be included. I always get a sense of HUGE space when I stand at the edge of the ocean. In this scene, the rhythmic pattern of the rocks and water disappearing into the distance helped to tell the story of that vastness.

Below: this painting ended up in the gallery window for the show! YAY! Here is a shot taken from outside after the opening reception. The show is up through February 24th. If you are anywhere near Austin, please drop by!

Also in the Davis Gallery show: 

Beach Cove Overlook, 18 x 36, oil on canvas. 

See blog post on this piece. 

Free to Roam, 18 x 18, oil on canvas.

See blog post on this piece. 

Beach Cove Overlook - and reworking a painting

Beach Cove Overlook, 18 x 36 , oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2018

Available at Davis Gallery

"How do you know when you are finished?" This is an often asked question to which I usually answer, "when there is nothing left in a painting that bothers me." This is one that kept bothering me as it dried on the shelf in my studio. Apparently, I was not done with it.

I stared at it for weeks (sometimes these things are hard to figure out) and finally determined what the problems were: 1) the foreground needed a stronger lead-in, and 2) the cove in the background needed to settle into the distance a little better. Below are the "before and after" shots so you can see the changes.

BEFORE...

AFTER REWORKING

Adding a path was the obvious solution for the lead-in problem, but the cove issue was trickier. Was it the shape? (Yes, too round.) Was it the size? (Yes, too dominant.) And most important - how to fix it? After much thought, I decided to add more grasses to overlap some of the water. It was a scary choice and a bit counter-intuitive to hide a beautiful, natural water feature. 

Well... That small change made the cove more of a sliver, and pushed it into it's proper space in the background. Instant relief! I'm glad I kept at it until it stopped bothering me. :)

Beach Day's End

Beach Day's End, 18 x 24, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2017

SOLD

As I was considering the final touches on this painting, I couldn't escape an urge to add some life to the scene. In order to capture the depth of the beach and the height of the sky, I needed a human reference for scale. Below is a shot without the people, just so you can see the before and after. I was hesitant - I wasn't going for a figurative painting, and what if I screwed it all up? But the painting kept demanding something more so I went for it. I am glad I did... Those people added just the right dynamic, focus, and most of all, that missing sense of scale. It's good to respond to inner nudges, even if there is a little fear involved. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!

BEFORE

AFTER
Just a little bit of human reference shows how deep and wide the beach is.