Brogen's at the Pier - Fix It Friday!

Brogen's at the Pier, 10 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2023

NFS

Brogen's is a favorite bar and hamburger joint in the village on St. Simons Island, GA. The food is delish and it's right on the water. When I painted it en plein air, the waitress brought out some onion rings for a little work break. How nice was that? 

Well, the painting had a few problems that needed addressing!:) Here is the "before" image...

BEFORE

AFTER

Problem - Alley way lacked shadow and failed to recede. The scene was flat and one-dimensional. 
Fix - Darkened the value on the pink wall leading into the alley.
Fix - Popped highlights on front of Brogen's decks and awnings. 

Problem - Palm tree, ground, and building were blending together. (More flatness!)
Fix - Changed the color of the palm's trunk to differentiate it from the building.
Fix - Lightened ground plane in front of door.

OBSERVATIONS

I had a hard time seeing the true value of that pink wall when I was in the field. It was in shadow, but I painted it like it was in the light. Even very light colors appear dark when they are in shadow. The only way to observe the value correctly is by squinting way down. And I will admit it, I kind of loved the idea of that funky pink wall. But in the end, I had to mute it out altogether! It just wasn't working! 

Fun side note: My niece is having one of her wedding events at Brogen's in the fall, so this piece will go to the sweet newlyweds! 

2023 SPRING WORKSHOPS (click HERE and join me):
April 14-15 - The Contemporary Austin Art School in Austin, TX (Full with wait list)
May 4-6 - Anderson Fine Art Gallery in St. Simons Island, GA

Little Sister - Figures on Friday #5

Little Sister, 7 x 5, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2021

SOLD

Beach play... can a child ever get enough? They can dig, collect shells, and wield sticks all day... and still want more. I loved the determination of this little one as she took off after her brother (he's coming next week), intent on keeping up with him. And not to worry, mom and dad were right there, keeping a close eye. 

One fun thing about focusing on figures is letting the landscape (which I am usually so concerned with) soften and fade into the background. While it sets the tone and gives context, it is secondary. When people are in a picture, well, it is all about them! ;)

The Gathering Spot

The Gathering Spot, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2019

SOLD

This was another plein air excursion in the Golden Isles of Georgia. I never get enough of the birds and marsh it seems, and I especially love when the birds hang out while I paint. They don't necessarily stand still, but I do get to watch their connection to the marsh and observe the gestures of their hunting. They are definitely influenced by their peers... when one takes off, the rest are right behind him! Those three guys in the water are definitely fixin' to fly... no question! 

I'm counting the days until I can go back.

___________________________

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

Date is firm - details coming soon!

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

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

May 8-9, 2020 - Austin, Texas

Contemporary Austin Art School, Registration opens in December

Boat Launch

Boat Launch, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2014

Boating through the inter-coastal waterways on St. Simons Island always begins at this funky, old boat launch for our family. My father in law had a boat for years and this spot came to be associated with the joys of summer outings. He knows the maze-like waterways like the back of his hand… knowledge acquired through of a lifetime of experience. 

Dune Walk - Anderson Gallery Exhibit

Dune Walk, 18 x 24, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2014

SOLD

There is nothing like a beach day… skip-hopping through the hot sand... the cool relief of the ocean breeze… the smell of suntan lotion… sandwiches on damp towels… castle building... hunting for sand dollars. The beach has a lure and excitement all its own and it hits me full on, every time I climb up over that last dune. 

This piece is headed to the Anderson Gallery for my solo show "Marshside to Seaside", April 24 - May 25, St. Simons Island, Georgia. 

Gladiolas on the Corner

Gladiolas on the Corner, 18 x 18, L. Daniel © 2012

SOLD

These fresh cut flowers for sale on the corner totally caught my eye. They made such a huge statement with their color and size and quantity, I couldn't drive by without stopping.  

Please check out my website for new work in my spring show at the Anderson Gallery in GA... opening this weekend: May 18, 6-8pm, 3309 Frederica Road, St. Simons Island, GA

Sylvan Glow - a study, a larger piece and a friend

Sylvan Glow Study, L. Daniel, 6 x 8, SOLD

This glowing tree in St. Simons Island, GA was so captivating that I had to paint it twice. The top piece was first. My challenge was to capture the glowing quality of the foreground tree as well as the glowing road behind. AND it included Spanish Moss to just make things more tricky. :)

It was a study in temperature. Observing the relative warms and cools was important to getting it to work. Several days later I went back in the same kind of light to try it again (see larger piece below). This was a very helpful exercise to really understanding the light and color. 

Sylvan Glow, L. Daniel, 12 x 16

Available at the Anderson Fine Art Gallery 

in St. Simons Island, GA

Alyson Tucker and Laurel waiting for ferry on Sapelo Island.

This is my fabulous painting buddy from St. Simons Island, Alyson Tucker (and me on right). We have fabulous painting adventures whenever we get together, and this year was no different. We painted almost every week day I was there, and I SO appreciate that she is always ready to go anywhere, anytime! Thank you for a great visit, Alyson!!!! 

Gateway of Palms

Gateway of Palms, L. Daniel, 12 x 12

These palm trees appear to be greeting the river like a giant natural gateway. I love how the one is leaning out toward the water, almost as if to beckon. 

Happy Mother's Day to mom's everywhere!

4th of May Cafe

4th of May Cafe, L. Daniel, 12 x 9, SOLD

This past weekend I participated in The Plein Air Affair, a 3 day plein air event that took place on St. Simons Island, Georgia where I am visiting (and painting) for the next few weeks. The event was a fundraiser for Glynn Art, the local art association. Eighteen of us painted, displayed our wet paintings, and painted some more. It was a wonderful group of artists to hang out with. This piece sold in the grand finale silent auction on Saturday night. Great cause, great fun!!


"4th of May" is a little cafe in the village of St. Simons Island. It's a favorite eating spot for locals and tourists alike... and a lovely sight on a sunny morning!

Marsh's Edge (enlarged)

Marsh's Edge, L. Daniel, 24 x 24

This is another large piece that is in my current show. I guess it's pretty obvious that I love the marshes on the east coast - and I love to paint them. Next week, after my opening at the gallery, I will be heading back to Georgia for a few weeks of painting and relaxation. I will drive by this spot every day while I am there. :)


Please visit my website to preview all my work in the Davis Gallery show - opening reception Saturday, April 9.

On another note, I want to thank Andrea Erins for including me in her top 15 painting blog list! Read the article and see her other favorites: “Inspiration Meets Canvas: The Top 15 Oil Painting Blogs” (click title to view). What an honor - thank you Andrea!

Abandoned Dock 2

Abandoned Dock 2, L. Daniel, 18 x 36

This is one of my favorite places. It's one of the first sights I see upon arrival at the Georgia coast; a sight that causes all those feelings of excitement that come with beach vacations and long anticipated getaways. It never ceases to inspire.

Available in my upcoming show at the Davis Gallery.

Please visit my website for a preview of all my paintings in the exhibit.

Read a review of my show in American Art Collector April issue (p. 104).

Help Japan Auction #2 - Marsh's Edge Study

Marsh's Edge (study), L. Daniel, 6 x 6, SOLD

I am so proud to share that the artists of Daily Paintworks, my online gallery group, has raised over $20,000 for aid to Japan in the first week of painting auctions!!! I am so excited that I am putting another small painting on the auction block. Click here: Help Japan Challenge to place a bid and help me make a difference in this great tragedy. 


This piece represents a "home away from home" for me. The marshes along the Georgia coast are a magical place that I have come to know and love over the last 32 years. It's the home of my husband's family and a true place of my heart. I don't know who lives this house, but they sure are lucky to call it home!


Proceeds of this sale will go to "Save the Children for Japan" recovery efforts.

Emerald Sunset Study

Emerald Sunset Study, L. Daniel, 6 x 8, SOLD 

It's hard to believe that March is here! Am I the only one who feels like this year is going WAY too fast??? As you know, I have been working pretty constantly on a body of larger work for my upcoming show at the Davis Gallery here in Austin. This study was preparatory for one of those larger pieces... a favorite scene from the Georgia coast. (I will post the larger works in the coming weeks.)


See more Small Works


PS - Due to problems with USPS, I am now shipping with UPS. Unfortunately, the cost is higher, but the service is far more reliable.