Farmstead - Door County Plein Air

Farmstead, 8 x 16, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012, SOLD

I am just now catching my breath after a most fabulous week in Wisconsin at the Door County Plein Air Festival! My heart overflows, truly. I would love to give you the blow by blow, but suffice it to say, it was an intense time of painting from sun up to sun down every day. Some of my painting happened in very public, advertised settings with many spectators; and some happened on quiet back roads, completely private and off the beaten track. This piece is in the latter category.


"Farmstead" came about on my last afternoon. I was tired and not sure I had one more painting in me as I drove down a deserted country road. This farm, all aglow with the afternoon light, completely reinvigorated me. It turned out to be my favorite piece of the week, and was the first to sell at the Friday night gala. Sometimes pushing through the exhaustion is a really good thing. :)


Side note: I left my good camera at home because it was too much to carry with all my other equipment. Consequently, the photos of my work are not the best. I had to shoot them with a tiny, hand-held camera in my hotel room. Lesson learned. 

River Bend

River Bend, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012 - SOLD

This tranquil spot along the Guadalupe River is another painting spot from my day in Gruene, Texas earlier this week. My friend (and fabulous painter), Johnnie Sielbeck, invited me to paint in the afternoon in her mother's backyard right on the river! Johnnie couldn't even be there, but her sweet mom led me out to the riverside and let me paint to my heart's content! Thanks, Ladies!

Side note... As you read this I am already in Wisconsin for the Door County Plein Air Festival week. I am SO EXCITED!!!! Wish me luck and inspired painting, please! I'm not sure if I will be able to post while there, but I'll catch up with you all when I get home!

Rocky Creek Light

Rocky Creek Light, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012

Back down at one of our local creeks, I found this partially submerged rock with a beam of light on it. I was drawn to the contrast between the rock above water and the rock below water. It was a fabulous - and tricky - little study. I think I'd like to do a few more of this kind of subject. Hmmm... maybe when I get back from Wisconsin (leaving tomorrow!)

In other news, this was an extra fun day because I got to paint with my good friend Julie Davis and a blog friend David Boyd from Georgia. He was driving through town on a cross country painting trip. It was such a pleasure to meet him in person - and painting together was an added bonus!

Me, David, and Julie

Leaning Carriage House

Leaning Carriage House, 8 x 16, Oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012

Monday I painted in Gruene, Texas. It's a really cool, very old town on the Guadalupe River with rustic shops and restaurants, and a dance hall headlined by some of the best musicians around. It's definitely worth the trek. This old carriage house (now storage shed) has seen better days. The groundskeeper came by and told me that every time it leans a little farther, they have to shorten the legs on the stools and tables inside.  I love it's sagging posture and hope it keeps standing a good while longer. 

Creek Falls

Creek Falls, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012

This is where the lazy creek from yesterday's painting flows down to a lower level. There is a swirling swimming hole here in the suds and kids (of all ages) love to play in it. Yes, I did paint here two days in a row. Like I said, when there is water in the creeks I get myself down there. :)

Lazy Creek

Lazy Creek, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012 - SOLD

We have finally had some good rainfall in Austin and all the seasonal creeks are flowing again. YAY! They literally disappear during droughts... this one was bone dry in March. After the rains, I came right down to this spot and was thrilled to see water on the low-water crossing... where the creek runs right over the road. I just loved driving through the water again (and painting it)!

EXCITING NEWS: I am getting ready to go to Wisconsin next week for the Door County Plein Air Festival, where I will be one of 40 participating featured artists!! I am so excited and honored to be part of this great group of painters. We will paint all over the peninsula then exhibit the wet paintings the following weekend. I grew up in Wisconsin, so it's a big thrill to be returning to my childhood stomping grounds. :) Wish me luck!

Tasting Room

Tasting Room, 8 x 16, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012

Believe it or not, the Texas Hill Country has quite a few wineries. Certain grapes actually like our climate and seem to be quite happy here. I was quite happy when Plein Air Austin was invited to paint at the Flat Creek Winery a couple of weeks ago. So much paintable material to choose from!!! I settled into a shady spot off the beaten track with a view of their gorgeous tasting room. I love the way it's nestled perfectly into the sloping hillside. After painting, we all had a lunch in their little bistro and sampled some of the wares. Delizioso!!

Glowing Pavilion

Glowing Pavilion, 12 x 9, Oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012

This pavilion is in the Japanese section of our botanical gardens at Zilker Park here in Austin. When I happened upon this scene and saw that wall of light, I stopped dead in my tracks. Then I saw the glowing interior and that was all she wrote. A delightful morning it was!

Lily Pool

Lily Pool, 9 x 12, Oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012 - SOLD

I guess the quintessential garden element might be lily pads in a pool. They clump and spread, and the lotus blooms float on top of it all like royalty. One interesting thing about the blossoms is that they follow the light as it travels across the sky. Painting them is always a lesson in memory because by the time I am finished, they are leaning the in the completely opposite direction! I loved the combination of variety and color in this little pool (and the mobility challenge of course!) 

Summer Morning

Summer Morning, 9x12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012

This is one of my favorite places to paint here in Austin. It's near my home; it's deliciously quiet; and it offers up new delights with each changing season. So, here's to summer mornings on the lake... to the colors and sights and sounds!!! 

Creosote Vista

Creosote Vista, 6 x 12 (12 x 18 matted and framed), L. Daniel © 2012

Available at the Davis Gallery 

"Works on Paper" Show

This is the last of my Big Bend series on carton board. The challenge to try something new always brings about creative growth. Experimenting of any kind keeps things fresh and interesting. The show opens this weekend and I personally can't wait to see what everyone has produced. It will be a real celebration of diverse works, for sure. The show will be up for a month, so if you are in or around Austin, please drop by. Or, see all four pieces on my website.


"Works on Paper" Summer Group Show
Davis Gallery, 837 W. 12th Street, Austin, Texas
June 30 - July 31, Reception Saturday, June 30, 7-9 pm

Soaptree Sentinel

Soaptree Sentinel, 12 x 6 (18 x 12 matted and framed)

Oil on paper, L. Daniel © 2012

Available at Davis Gallery

"Works on Paper" Show

This is another piece completed for the "Works on Paper" show that opens this weekend. The Soaptree is fascinating plant that livens up the barren, desert landscape (I especially loved its quirky seed pods up top.) See other works in show on my website. 

A word about framing these works on paper... 

A lot of people have written to ask me if using this paper required framing with a mat and glass. Would they be okay without glass? In theory, the carton board paper is treated so it should hold up over time. However, I chose to frame it under glass for a few reasons: 1) to protect them from dust (not sure how one would clean them otherwise), 2) because they had to be mounted onto something sturdy for presentation anyway, and 3) it's standard framing procedure for works on paper. 

Framing with glass just seemed like the right thing to do to make sure the pieces hold up over time. It also sets them apart from my works on canvas and was a different way to "finish off" this special project. Oh, and one final thing... when I matted them I did allow a 1/4 inch margin around the loosely painted edges - so the image areas are just like the photo above. 

"Works on Paper" Summer Group Show

Davis Gallery, 837 W. 12th Street, Austin, Texas

June 30 - July 31, Reception June 30, 7-9 pm

Blooming Agave

Blooming Agave, 12 x 6 (18 x 12 matted and framed)

Oil on paper, L. Daniel © 2012

Available at the Davis Gallery

"Works on Paper" Show

Blooming cactus is a common and often dramatic sight in the desert. The sheer height of this bloom was astounding. This piece is included in the upcoming "Works on Paper" group show at the Davis Gallery. My pieces in the exhibit are all painted with oil pigments on a card stock called "carton board". I chose this paper for its warm color and absorbant surface. It was actually quite perfect for depicting the soft dusty tones of the desert. (See all show pieces on my website.)

A word about working on this carton board paper... 

The carton board is "resin-sized" which is a process that preps the paper surface to receive paint. It is still very absorbent and has a bit of a scratchy quality. I could have used clear gesso to seal it more thoroughly, but I actually liked the way the paint absorbed into the paper. More paint was required for each stroke and it was very satisfying to apply. My good friend, Robin Cheers, turned me on to it and I like it a lot. Thanks Robin!! Carton board is available at Guerrilla Painter.

"Works on Paper" Summer Group Show

Davis Gallery - 837 W. 12th Street, Austin, TX

June 30 - July 31, Reception June 30, 7-9 pm

Desert Dwelling - Works on Paper Show

Desert Dwelling, 12 x 16 (18 x 22 matted), Oil on paper, L. Daniel © 2012

Available at the Davis Gallery

"Works on Paper" 

Summer Group Show

Davis Gallery

837 W. 12th Street, Austin, TX

June 30 - July 31

Reception June 30, 7-9 pm

Please excuse this interruption of my Coastal Georgia Series... 
In my next few posts, you'll see new paintings from the exhibit above that opens this weekend. The prospectus for this show required that all the work be completed on some kind of paper support. I had a great time experimenting with new surfaces while choosing an alternative to traditional canvas. (More about the paper and process later.) 


The images I chose were inspired by my spring painting trip to Big Bend, Texas. Stay tuned for the companion pieces to this one. Each piece is matted and framed under glass. See all pieces included on my website. If you are in town, please stop by the gallery! 

Ocean Sky

Ocean Sky, 12 x 9, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012 

Did I mention that we had some rain on St. Simons while we were there? Yep, tropical storm Beryl rolled through and left some water and debris in its tracks. We were lucky that it didn't get worse and that we didn't have days of endless rain. This particular cloudy sky happened before just before Beryl. I was painting on Jekyll Island with a gaggle of painting friends (that shore in the distance is actually St. Simons.) Rain threatened all day but we were not deterred. We got a painting in and had some lunch before it really came down. 


Now they are getting tropical storm Debby in those parts. "Tis the season...

Boatyard Line-up

Boatyard Line-up, 12 x 9, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012

These catamarans were quite a sight - all lined up and ready to go. Local ocean goers store their boats in a gated pen right next to the main beach on St. Simons, and they have secret codes for getting in and out. We found them to a be a gregarious and friendly bunch. Each one was nicer than the last... "sure, you can paint in here!"... "stand wherever you want!"... "would you mind just pulling in the gate when you leave?" So we did all those things. I guess we didn't look suspicious.


Please sign up for my bi-monthly newsletter by clicking HERE... 
And look for July/August issue that is coming out next week. 

River Dock

River Dock, 8 x 16, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012

It might make sense to reiterate that I just returned from a long painting trip to St. Simons Island on the coast of Georgia. (A few people have asked, "now where are you again?") I was unable to keep photographing and posting while there, but I am now home and finally able to share it all with you. Though I hated falling behind, it's fun for me to revisit these painting moments as I write. 

This is old dock sits on the river that separates the barrier island of St. Simons from the mainland. I loved the slanted shadows from the morning light, and the simple silhouetted shapes that cast them. I was painting and just contemplating the sheer poetry of it all... when suddenly a bird in the branches above me deposited a little gift onto my palette. Hmmmm... it's always something. :)

Rusted and Forgotten

Rusted and Forgotten, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012 - SOLD

These two old gas tanks were once well used by boats on the inter coastal waterways between St. Simons Island, GA and the mainland. Like so many things, they have served their purpose and remain only as a reminder to another day and time. Over the years, I have watched them rust more and more, and always wonder if they will be there when I get back. On this visit, I spent a morning there painting, just in case. 

Brewing Storm Study

Brewing Storm Study, 8 x 16, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012

Rain on the Georgia marshes is a beautiful sight. There is nothing quite like the sight of storm clouds broiling up on the horizon... the breeze and salt air start swirling around... and you can just smell it. By the end of this painting, my brushes were flying - fast and furiously! But I did beat the downpour. This time.

REMINDER TO LISTEN: 

"ARTISTS HELPING ARTISTS" BLOG-TALK RADIO HOSTS ARE INTERVIEWING ME!

Thursday, June 21, live at 9 am PST (that's 12 noon EST)

Click HERE to hear it live OR whenever it's convenient later. 

Once the interview is over you will be able to listen to the recording anytime.

Marsh Dance Study and some news

Marsh Dance Study, 12 x 16, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012

I wanted to paint this row of trees for so long, but could never find a good place to actually DO it. It's next to a causeway so I usually see it (with an aching heart) from the window of a car. Amazingly (after much searching and a few questionable driving maneuvers) my friend Alyson and I found access to the perfect view. On cue, the tide came in and filled up the marshland with dazzle and sparkle. It was so worth the hunt!

News: PLEASE TUNE IN FOR MY BLOG-TALK RADIO INTERVIEW!

I am very honored to be a featured guest on "Artists Helping Artists" blogtalk radio, with show host Leslie Saeta and June co-host Pat Fiorello. The interview is Thursday, June 21, at 9am PST and 12 noon EST. (You can also listen to it after the fact.) Click HERE and learn how to get connected! 

 Alyson Tucker, and me... quite pleased with ourselves.

How did we get to the causeway spot? We'll never tell! :)

Waiting

Waiting, 8 x 6, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012, SOLD

This sculpture of a young woman graces the corner of a lovely Georgia garden I was privileged to teach in. The girl is pausing, like she is waiting for someone or something. As the sun shone down from behind her, it seemed to be lighting the path of her gaze. Quite stunning. 


I did have a great time in those gardens!!! 


See more Small Works

Garden Sparkle

Garden Sparkle, 8 x 6, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012

Gift to workshop garden host.

I would like to report that southern hospitality is a real and wonderful thing! This is another private garden that I was more than welcomed into for my workshop at St. Simons Island. When it rained at the end of our painting time, our kind hostess invited us to gather up on her porch for our critique. She not only tolerated the wet paintings sitting all around, she also came out and joined us for the discussion! Many thanks to each of our generous garden owners!

BTW - this is not the painting I am demonstrating below. Didn't love that one. :) This one is the result of a collaboration of ideas with Karen Rose. Our discussion had to do with creative editing and taking the liberty to reorganize elements. I ended up with so many good sketches, I just had to paint it! Thanks Karen! 

Another demo underway. 

Critique on the porch.

Thanks to Pat McCormick for photos!

Garden Gifts

Entryway Blessing, 8 x 6, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012

Gift to workshop garden host.

I am finally back from my work/play vacation in St. Simons Island, Georgia. The "work/play" idea is an oxymoron, unless you love your work! :) I had a wonderful time but it was impossible to stay current with my technology tasks. The play part of every day prevented me from cataloguing and blogging. BUT... I'm back home now and will finally photograph and post the plein air work I did while I was there. Please stay tuned.

For now, here are a few more demo shots from my workshop...

Line and Mass Block-in for "Entryway Blessing" demo.

Thanks to Pat McCormick for photo.

Workshop participants watching demo in garden entryway.

 What a great group I had!! Thanks to Karen Rose for photo.

Hidden Corridor - Demo

Hidden Corridor, 7 x 10 workshop demo, L. Daniel © 2012

My workshop on St. Simons Island was called "Garden Vignettes En Plein Air", and it involved painting in various private gardens around the island. A garden is such a personal space and it's always a pleasure to be invited "in". This is the demo I did on the first day. One of my participants and fabulous painter, Claudia Hammer, took the following pictures that show my process. Thank you Claudia!

I began by blocking in my composition using a mix of French Ultramarine and Burnt Sienna.

Once my composition was established, I focused on all the darkest darks in the upright planes (everything vertical: bushes, trees, pottery, etc). Since there is no sky in this piece, the ground plane had the lightest lights which I saved until last (the actual ground, the tops of the hedges, everything parallel to the sky). 

The day began with an overcast sky, but the sun popped out just in time. It lit everything up and cast some great shadows through the garden that I was able to include in the painting. (I love it when that happens!)

After all the areas were massed in I painted back into them, breaking them up with subtle value and temperature shifts. At the very end I added the highest highlights. Btw - the marks below the painting are just little side demos that happened while I was painting and explaining my process. :)

Hidden Corridor, the final demo piece, 7 x 10, L. Daniel 

Stable View

Stable View, 12 x 9, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012

Available at the Anderson Gallery

On the North end of St. Simons Island, this tucked away stable is surrounded by lots of shade, draping spanish moss and lots of great barn ambiance. I spent a delightful morning here, painting and taking in all the sounds and activities of another world. 


To see all pieces in my current show, please visit my website. 

Cottage Light

Cottage Light, 9x12, L. Daniel © 2012, SOLD

This little cottage is one of several that remain from an early 1800's cotton plantation on St. Simons Island. When I arrived to paint at day's end, there was just a sliver of light on the cabin's end wall, leaving everything else dimly lit. It was a magical moment that I just happened to get in on. This painting was included in my show at the Anderson Gallery, where it sold before the opening reception! I was very pleased.  :) 


All paintings in the Anderson Gallery show can be viewed on my website.

Evening Pause and snapshots from the island

Evening Pause, 36 x 18, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2012

Available at the Anderson Gallery

This is another piece from my show that opened Friday night at the Anderson Fine Art Gallery in St. Simons Island, Georgia. It was a great party and a wonderful time with family and friends - both old and new! My heartfelt thanks go out to all of you who came! Thank you. For those of you on the opposite coast and sprinkled in between, please visit my website to see the complete body of work that is on display. 


And now I am enjoying a quiet Monday morning after several weeks of whirlwind activity! It is much needed rest if I do say so myself. :) Here is a glimpse...

Unloading paintings for the show after the long drive from Texas to Georgia... My husband is a packing genius, an "engineer of spaces" we like to say. There were also golf clubs, suitcases, and beach accoutrement squeezed in here (and we could still see through the back window! Amazing.)

A delicious week of painting with buddies from hither and yon...

Kelley, Mary, Kathy, Me, Carol

My fabulous workshop students and me... Here we are at the end of a long day of plein air painting and a mad dash to escape the rain! They are a great group of artists and we all had a blast! Thanks, guys!  

Mary Anderson and me... just before the opening reception

for my show at the Anderson Gallery on Friday night.

Thank you, Mary!

Glistening Sky

Glistening Sky, 40 x 30, Oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2012

Billowy clouds, marsh reflections, and changing tides are all common sights in the Georgia low country... and they are anything BUT ordinary. The colors and shapes are infinitely compelling to me. This piece is in my upcoming show which opens at the Anderson Gallery on Friday night. If you are in town, please come by!!

Gardens by the Sea

Anderson Fine Art Gallery

3309 Frederica Road

St. Simons Island, GA

Reception Friday, May 18, 6-8 pm

Please visit my website to see the entire body of work that will be on display!

Dune Grass Beach - enlarged

Dune Grass Beach, 24 x 30, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2012

SOLD

This larger piece was inspired by a plein air study I did on Jekyll Island on the Georgia coast last year. The idea came full circle when this larger painting came back with me to the Golden Isles to be in my spring show that opens this weekend. The tall grasses bending in the sea breeze get me every time... and the clouds, of course.

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

Window Box

Window Box, 18 x 18, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2012 - SOLD

Have I mentioned that I love flowers? Yes, I do... on the ground, in a bucket or out of a box... and this box was dripping with them. 

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