Skyworks and Kitchen Warmth

Skyworks, 24 x 24, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2013

Kitchen Warmth, 24 x 18, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2013

Places of warmth - both outside and inside - draw me hopelessly in. A field of golden grass, an exploding sky, a table streaked with sunbeams... each has the capacity to stop me in my tracks. And it's good to be stopped in my tracks once in awhile... 

These paintings will both be available in my upcoming show, "Landscapes: Interior-Exterior", opening October 5th at the Davis Gallery. 

Rosy Billows (enlarged)

Rosy Billows, L. Daniel, 18 x 18

Back to the big skies. I painted this piece for my big sky series back in the spring, but I forgot to photograph and post it. So, here it is, just a little bit late. You may remember the small study. The scene is from West Texas in the Davis Mountains - a beautiful, end of day performance.

Rosy Billows (Study)

Rosy Billows, 6 x 6, L. Daniel, SOLD

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This is the study for another painting in my big sky series inspired by West Texas. The vivid pink reflection in the clouds at the end of the day was so compelling. It was too late for me to start painting, but I got some notes and photos to work with when I got home. Tomorrow I will post the larger version.

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Distant Showers (enlarged)

Distant Showers (enlarged), 18 x 18, L. Daniel

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What is it about rain in the distance that is so captivating? I think it's that we can actually SEE the clouds bursting and the water pouring out. It's thrilling and it carries a certain sense of urgency (must close windows... must batten down the hatches.) It's just so big and powerful.

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This is the third painting in my big sky series from West Texas...

Distant Showers (study)

Distant Showers (study), 6 x 6, L. Daniel, SOLD

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I painted this small study as a preparation for my third "big sky" painting. This is a series I am working on that began with a painting trip I took to the Davis Mountains in West Texas. I was very inspired by the unlimited largeness of the sky and had to respond (one thing leads to another and there you go, a series is born.) Tomorrow I will post the larger painting of this scene.

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Western Skies (enlarged)

Western Skies, 18 x 18

This is the first larger piece of the big skies out west. I made a few small changes from the smaller study, but the most significant change is the addition of the fence opening. It seemed an important element for drawing the viewer "in" and when I played around with it, I liked it better.

I also want to let you know that Daily Paintworks has a new member! Welcome to Susan Abbott of Vermont, an outstanding artist who works in several different media and genres. I think you will love her work which you can see on her blog. And if you haven't visited the Daily Paintworks site lately, stop by and see what all twelve of us are doing!

Western Skies Study

Western Skies Study, 6 x 6, SOLD

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I am working on a series of big sky paintings that got into my head when I was out in West Texas and the Davis Mountains. I have done several small studies for this series and will post them as I complete the larger versions. I love how the open range goes on for miles and miles out there; it makes the sky seem bigger and more dramatic.

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