The Village

The Village, 6 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

Click to purchase - $120 + $16 s/h

This is another painting from my weekend in Connecticut. I couldn't resist this picturesque village scene with it's long shadows and afternoon light. When I started painting, the street was quiet with just a few people coming and going. Then, school got out and suddenly the sidewalks filled up with moms and kids walking home. It was so wholesome and charming, just like a scene out of the 50's!

Please join me for my last workshop of the year...

En Plein Air: Strong Starts, November 6-8, 9am-1:30pm
Register @ The Contemporary Austin Art School

Forgotten Boathouse

Forgotten Boathouse, 6 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

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The occasion of a wedding took us to Connecticut this past weekend... and what a delight it was! The ceremony and celebration were beautiful, and seeing lifelong friends is always nourishment for the soul. In my downtime, I got outside with paint kit and brushes, and enjoyed the delicious fall weather. This spot was an unexpected discovery, found on my way to a recommended vista. I just had to stop because, well, you know what they say about a "bird in the hand". I never did see that vista! ;)

Please join me for my last workshop of the year...

En Plein Air: Strong Starts, November 6-8, 9am-1:30pm
Register @ The Contemporary Austin Art School

Silverleaf Sunflowers, 16 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

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I was originally drawn to this scene by these whimsical, crazy-tall sunflowers... then I noticed the dramatic shadows on the cottage. It was fun to find a composition that included both elements, and a delightful way to celebrate the first day of Fall!

Please join me for my last workshop of the year...

En Plein Air: Strong Starts, November 6-8, 9am-1:30pm
Register @ The Contemporary Austin Art School

Morning Playtime

Morning Playtime, 12 x 9, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

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This morning was a lovely playtime for me, AND playtime for lots of children in the botanical gardens here in Austin! Knowing I wanted to include figures today, I started painting and waited for my "subjects" to show up. When this little momma and her kids showed up, I knew they were mine. She is also a painter, so how fun is that? Many thanks to my new friends!

This is my quick pencil sketch of Mother and Baby...

it helped me make sense of things when I went at it with paint!

Angel Perch

Angel Perch, 12x9, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

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Today Plein Air Austin met up to paint together at Chapel Dulcinea outside of Austin. It's a wonderful wedding venue, complete with garden vignettes and walking trails that overlook the rolling hill country. I found this little cherub statue perching on a garden wall, and had to try and capture the scene. I loved the combination of straight and curvy. It was also great to see old friends and meet some new!

Please join me for my last workshop of the year...
En Plein Air: Strong Starts, November 6-8, 9am-1:30pm
Register @ The Contemporary Austin Art School

Garden Beauties

Garden Beauties, 8 x 6, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

Click to purchase $120 + $16 s/h

This weekend we had some gorgeous days... a delicious hint of fall, with cool air and bright light. I headed out to paint, and ended up in my back yard enjoying the color and growth in my own garden. (Be it ever so humble,) there's no place like home! 

Please join me for my last workshop of the year...
En Plein Air: Strong Starts, November 6-8, 9am-1:30pm
Register @ The Contemporary Austin Art School

Park Gazebo

Park Gazebo, 12 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

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What could be better than sitting in the shade of an outdoor gazebo, enjoying a steady ocean breeze? It's one of life's simple, delicious pleasures...

Murphy's

Murphy's, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

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Murphy's Tavern has been a local hang out on St. Simon's Island forever it seems... 35 years or more. It's a colorful place - both inside and out - and I've been wanting to paint it for some time. The other morning the light was just right so I gave it a go. I love those red doors! 

Many thanks to photographer Shirley Robinson for sending this action shot of me painting across the street from Murphy's Tavern. (A nice shady spot on a hot August morning!)

Gone Fishing

Gone Fishing, 8 x 6, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

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Fishing off the pier on St. Simons Island is a favorite pastime for kids of all ages. I met Charles last week, doing just that. He came fully prepared with multiple rods and a cooler full of bait. After getting all set up, he sat and enjoyed the ocean breeze while waiting for the fish to bite. I have to say, I enjoyed that breeze myself - there is no place quite like the pier! :)

PS - I know this looks like it belongs in my "men at work" group. While that series was specific to my home renovations, I am still drawn to the concept... please stay tuned.

Posing with Charles and my finished painting. Thanks, Charles!

Men At Work - Series Collage

Men At Work - the collage!

Our renovations are finished!!! Here are many of our workmen, all together, representing months of work. From planning, to scheduling, to selecting materials and executing the plan... it's been quite a project. I've had so much fun painting these guys that I feel some new directions coming on, and I'm excited to see where those lead. Many thanks to our wonderful team of craftsmen!

The Boss and his Punch List - men at work

The Boss and his Punch List, 8 x 6, oil on panel © 2015

NFS

THIS is a happy sight. In Texas, we have saying, "get 'er done". It kind of encapsulates the overwhelming sensibilities at the end of any big job like this. Everyone is just READY to be finished. I am soooo ready. I loved doing it, loved making the choices, loved all the workers who crossed the threshold, love the results, AND now I'm going to love some peace and quiet. Thank you, Boss! It's beautiful. We could not be happier. 

The Electrician - men at work

The Electrician, 8 x 6, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

NFS

You may have been thinking that we were finished with this project here, since I painted the clean up crew for my last post. No, that is not how it works. They clean up and then create a new mess. While each round does get you closer to the finished product, "things" happen. Suddenly, the electrical stops working in just one area. It's a mystery, but thank goodness, our handy electrician figured it out. Hair dryers can now be fired up without blowing fuses. All is well. 

The Clean Up Crew - men at work

The Clean Up Crew, 8 x 6, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

NFS

Let us not forget the ever-important clean up team... At every stage of our renovation project I was almost as happy to see the area cleaned up as I was to see the new work. Call me crazy, but I like surfaces to be clean and paths to be clear. Thank you, thank you, thank you to those whose mission it was to clear the decks! :)

The Tile Man - men at Work

The Tile Man, 6 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

NFS

Here is another one of my new BFF's from the house project. Since we were remodeling bathrooms, there was a fair amount of tile work that had to be done and this guy stayed busy. I think construction work might be where the quote "measure twice, cut once" comes from. Avoiding waste and do-overs is every contractors goal - it's true for any project though, isn't it? 

Old Water Tank

Old Water Tank, 12 x 9, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

Available - Click for information

I have been spying this water tank for quite some time, and finally had the chance today to get out and paint it. As the sun lit up the tank against a cloudy sky, it absolutely glowed! It was a lovely combination of color and light. 

Swirling Sky

Swirling Sky, 12 x 9, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

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A weekend trip to the Georgia coast brought me to this gorgeous marsh scene in "afternoon shower" mode. The roiling clouds were full but the distant rains never made it over the marsh to where I was painting. Dramatic skies like this always take my breath away; and it's a joy when I get to stop and paint them.

Jennifer's Garden

Jennifer's Garden, 12 x 9, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

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A recent visit to my friend's garden presented me with this little scene. It felt a bit like being in a European village, and spending a morning painting there was exactly like being on a lovely vacation! My great thanks to Jennifer, who always leaves her gate open and the light "on". I so appreciate her generosity! :)

Old Corner Station

Old Corner Station, 12 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

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This weekend, Plein Air Austin met up in the little town of Driftwood, just outside of Austin. It's pretty small and this little corner gas station is a piece of the past. There was a grove of trees right across the street that provided a shady spot for setting up. What a lovely morning! It was quite wonderful to paint with old friends that I haven't seen for awhile. :)

Tall Pines

Tall Pines, 16 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

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On Friday, I had the good fortune of joining a good friend at her serene, forested property in Bastrop, Texas. This is the little town east of Austin that suffered horrible fires a few years ago. Many families lost their homes, and thousands upon thousands of beautiful Loblolly Pines were destroyed. Painting these majestic old-growth specimens felt like being on sacred ground. Indeed, this is a special place. My deepest thanks, TB! 

The Brick Cutter - men at work

The Brick Cutter, 6 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

NFS

Wow - it has been quite awhile since my last post! I really didn't mean to go AWOL, but sometimes it happens. I have been off having a wonderful family reunion with our children and their babies. Life can not be sweeter than that. I'm already dreaming of our next visit! 

In addition, our home renovations are very near completion, with only the punch list left to complete. The messy piles are gone, the street is no longer lined with trucks and trailers, and most importantly, we have moved our household belongings back into place. It's a great feeling and I love the results. But, I am also very ready to have my life back. Soon... the end is oh, so close. :)

Rolling Meadow - Exhibit at Davis Gallery

Rolling Meadow, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

Available at Davis Gallery

"A Summer Place Where We Can Go" Group Show

Davis Gallery, 837 West 12th, Austin, Texas

On display through August 8

Even though I couldn't be at the Davis Gallery reception this weekend, a dear friend of mine sent me the photo below of "my" wall. Thank you LK!!! My submissions for this summer's show feature some of my favorite Texas wildflower scenes, and it's fun to see them all framed up and hanging together. 

Left: Scattered Clouds, 30 x 24

Top right: Hills of Color, 9 x 12

Top bottom: Rolling Meadow, 9 x 12

Hills Of Color - Exhibit at Davis Gallery

Hills of Color, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

Available at Davis Gallery

"A Summer Place Where We Can Go" Group Show

Davis Gallery, 837 West 12th, Austin, Texas

Reception June 27, 7-9 pm

On display through August 8

This painting is also available at Davis Gallery. I painted it this spring, during our spectacular wildflower season. The wildflowers are always gorgeous, but this year was especially abundant! 

Scattered Clouds - Exhibit at Davis Gallery

Scattered Clouds, 30 x 24, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2015

Available at Davis Gallery 

Davis Gallery's annual summer show opens officially this weekend with a reception on Saturday night. Unfortunately, I will have to miss the party for a wedding, but my paintings (including this one) will be there. Please stop by!

"A Summer Place Where We Can Go" Group Show

Davis Gallery, 837 West 12th, Austin, Texas

Reception June 27, 7-9 pm

On display through August 8.

The Mixer - men at work

The Mixer, 8 x 6, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015 

NFS

I have noticed that large home improvement projects involve quite a bit of collaboration. Each phase requires purposeful preparation, step-by-step execution, and the all-important clean up duty. I found this worker fully engaged on the "prep" line, mixing up muddy materials that were needed for rebuilding a wall. Not every task is glamorous, but every job is important and strategic for overall project. I so appreciate how it all fits together!

The Gardener - men at work

The Gardener, 6 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

NFS

Early morning is the time to garden in Texas. I discovered this gardener getting a good jump on the day, digging and planting before the heat set in. What I loved most was the slanted sliver of light illuminating him from behind. It's such a treat to catch unexpected scenes like this... a nice reward for getting up and out! :)

The Brick Layer - men at work

The Brick Layer, 8 x 6, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

NFS

Our renovations included a little bit of expansion and the bumping out of walls. Those newly captured areas were finished off by the Brick Layer, who expertly blended current day materials with the old. He quietly went about his work - measuring, marking, and setting plumb lines in preparation. Then, he frosted each brick with mortar and carefully repaired all the gaps. It was slow and messy, but a fascinating process. Looking at the new walls now, you would think they had always been there! 

The Floor Man - men at work

The Floor Man, 6 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

NFS

You may remember from one of my posts earlier in the year that we are having some work done on our home. Well, we are still at it, but very near the finish line. YAY! I've loved watching all the craftsmen work their magic, and seeing the transformation of spaces from before to after. I guess it was only time before I would start painting the project. This is the first of my "men at work" series... :)

Vintage Farmstead - Georgia Coast

Vintage Farmstead, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

Available - Click for information

This old barn was once part of the day to day operations of the Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation in Brunswick, GA. The plantation played a role in the history and culture of Georgia's rice production along the coastal waterways, and its giant oak trees are spectacular, complete with Spanish moss rustling in the breeze off the marsh. I love imagining life here, back in the day.

Morning Stroll - Georgia Coast

Morning Stroll, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

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Have I mentioned that I am feeling more and more drawn to adding people into my paintings? One blogger friend of mine finds that figures give us identification... we can relate to them and that invites us into the scene. I think it's true. It adds, well... life! When this mama and son walked into my view, suddenly nothing else mattered but their connection to each other. My focus totally shifted. 

Docked Shrimp Boat - Georgia Coast

Docked Shrimp Boat, 12 x 16, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

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Commercial shrimp boats are constantly trawling the horizon on the Georgia Coast. Their complicated rigging is quite distinctive, not to mention the commotion of birds, dive bombing for the refuse. It's a huge industry and the harvest is enjoyed in most local restaurants. This shrimper was "in" for service and I was able to paint it at rest.