Marsh Banks

Marsh Banks, 6 x 8, L. Daniel, SOLD

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My father-in-law has a great little boat to take out on the rivers and intercoastal waterways. It is really fun to explore all the twists and turns, and get a completely different view of the marshes. On a recent jaunt we ended up at a fabulous little seafood joint where we had delicious fish sandwiches! What a great time (thanks Charlie!) I painted this from a photograph taken that day.

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Harbor Storm

Harbor Storm, 6 x 8, L. Daniel, SOLD

Last week we went up to the little harbor town of Darien, Georgia to paint on the docks. The sky was threatening but we pressed on. I no sooner got set up that it began to rain and I had to move under a bridge for shelter. My view was slightly altered, but I could see the color of all the major parts... thankfully I was doing a small one! :)

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Creek Stop (study)

Creek Stop (study), L. Daniel, 9 x 12

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On Cumberland Island, I discovered this marshland creek while exploring around the ruins of an old mansion. I fully expected to paint something related to the ruins, but my affinity for old, sunbleached dockhouses won out! (There was also a delicious breeze coming off the creek that made standing there cool and bug-free - very delightful!!)

Demo at Anderson Gallery

Abandoned Dock - Demo painting, L. Daniel, 12 x 16

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On Saturday I did the painting above in a live demonstration at Anderson Fine Art Gallery, my gallery here on St. Simons Island. I worked from the plein air study below, sharing my overall thinking about color, composition and process. My audience was encouraging and many of the folks were painters themselves. I really enjoyed their thoughtful questions and input (thanks to all of you who came!!!) .

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Abandoned Dock, L. Daniel, 6 x 12, original plein air study

Painting Demonstration at Anderson Gallery

Mary Anderson (gallery owner) and me at Anderson Gallery

Island Beach

Island Beach, L. Daniel, 9 x 12

Yesterday I painted on Cumberland Island, the southernmost barrier island in Georgia. Getting there requires a ferry ride, and hauling your own food and water for the day. It's a quiet, remote place and this beach expanse says it all. Well, not quite. While I was painting, dolphins were swimming in that bay - so close I could hear them breathing. It sounded like a person doing laps, only a louder. Very cool.

Abandoned Dock

Abandoned Dock, L. Daniel, 6 x 12

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This is another crumbling old dock on the Frederica River that I fear will soon be gone. It is no longer in use and is beginning to cave in. I really love the romantic reminder of past enterprise... fishermen coming and going... fresh fish off to markets and restaurants... I hate to see it go away.

Hidden Cottage

Hidden Cottage, 12 x 16, L. Daniel

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This little cottage sits next to the river and several abandoned fishing docks. It must have been connected to the fishing industry at some point, but now sits empty for repurposing. The land is up for sale, so who knows if this building will even be here next year? Yes, this is probably private property... but if there were signs, I surely didn't see them!!! ;)

River Access

River Access, 12 x 16, L. Daniel

This old wooden dock sits on the main body of the Frederica River. It used to be home to big yellow pilot boats, but now sits empty. The rhythm of the vertical pilings and the spot of warm light on the building catches my eye every time I pass it. Stopping to paint was inevitable.

Five by Seven Art Splurge!!

Untitled, "five by seven" donation, 5 x 7, L. Daniel

Meanwhile, back in Austin, one of my favorite art events of the year took place this weekend (yes, without me!!) The "five by seven art splurge" is an annual fundraiser for the Arthouse at the Jones Center, where artists all donate artwork that measures 5" x 7". There are literally HUNDREDS of small works in all different styles and genres, each for sale at $100. The event is crazy with buzzers and grabbing and great fun is had all around. I was sorry to miss it.

Austin Friends - because of the Arthouse renovations, the exhibit is this weekend only and at an alternate venue: Four Hands Home, 301 Brazos Street. They are open Sunday from 11am - 6pm and admission is free. Stop over and see some great art - you will not be sorry!!!

These are my three donated pieces...

Grandfather's Graybeard

Grandfather's Graybeard, 6 x 8, L. Daniel, SOLD

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Grandfather's Graybeard, also known as Spanish Moss or Tillandsia, is a "romantic symbol of the south" (I read that on a website). It grows everywhere here but I have been totally scared to attempt painting it. Well... yesterday afternoon I faced my fear and tried it. I am sure I will do more now that I jumped the first hurdle. :)

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Dune Grass

Dune Grass, 9 x 12, L. Daniel

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Yesterday I painted at St. Andrew's Beach on Jekyl Island (a neighboring barrier island). What is great about this beach (besides being beautiful) is that there are trees near the shore that provide shade for picnic-ers and painters alike. Silly? I suppose, but I need the shade when I paint outside. The beach is particularly blinding so trees are my friends! :)

Fishing Creek

Fishing Creek, 12 x 16, L. Daniel

When my husband was a little boy, his father took him fishing in this creek which was right down the street from the family beach house. Years later, Bill took our children fishing there too. Kids still throw in their lines at this spot and seeing them always brings a smile to my face... life continues on...

Our old beach house no longer exists, but the one I am staying in very similar and is right down the street. In January of 2009, I did a painting of it for my son. Click here to see it. I loved that old place and still miss it.

Cloud Covered Marsh

Cloud Covered Marsh, 9 x 12, L. Daniel

St. Simons Island is a barrier island that is separated from the main land by rivers and salt marshes. These marshlands are a distinctive and evocative feature of the area - low horizontal stretches that ebb and flow with water from the tides. Large cloud banks have been rolling in each afternoon adding big drama in the sky. Love it!

Many thanks to the folks at dear ada blog for their kind mention of my small paintings!!! Check out the blog for colorful and joyous finds!!! Thanks y'all!

Ocean Cypress

Ocean Cypress, 12 x 16, L. Daniel

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This weathered cypress looks like it has survived many seasons of wind and ocean spray. I was drawn to its gnarly limbs and interesting negative shapes, and, of course, to the ocean-blue in the distance!

Beach Path

Beach Path, 6 x 8, L. Daniel, SOLD

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I can't believe my first week on St. Simons Island is over!! My husband has been with me, so after I painted in the mornings, we spent afternoons on the beach at high tide and reading in beach chairs. That is some kind of life, I know!!! A vacation to be sure. :) He has now gone back to Austin for work (he will come and go) and I will be ramping up the painting hours! I fully realize that this opportunity is a huge blessing, and I appreciate it fully!

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Pine Grove

Pine Groves, 9 x 12, L. Daniel

A light mist over this small pond separated the components of the landscape into very distinct layers. The pine grove in the foreground emerged with its whimsical trunks and interesting shapes - it was very fun to paint!! (Meanwhile, a couple of alligators live in this pond, and one of them watched us the whole time we were there. We kept a healthy distance to say the least!)

Woodbine Farm

Woodbine Farm, 12 x 9, L. Daniel

I am so fortunate to have a great friend and painting partner down here... Alyson Tucker. She lives on the island and paints with me whenever I come. How great is that??? On Wednesday, she took me to Woodbine, Georgia to paint with her local plein air group at an old rice plantation site. (I am pretty sure this barn had nothing to do with the plantation era, but I couldn't pass it up.) We finished up a great morning with delicious fish sandwiches at Captain Stan's Restaurant... if you are ever in Woodbine, I highly recommend it!!! (Thanks Alyson!)

Morning Dunes

Morning Dunes, 6 x 8, L. Daniel, SOLD

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Yesterday morning I hit the beach early to catch the sunlight on the dunes. The sky was overcast and threatening rain... which did, indeed, arrive later in the day. We had a big rainstorm that soaked everything (especially our beach towels on the line) but it was a perfect afternoon for reading and a nap. :)

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River's Edge

River's Edge, 9 x 12, L. Daniel

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After a long drive (and a nice stop in New Orleans) we are now settled in on St. Simons Island in Georgia. My husband's family is here and it's a place I love to visit and to paint. This time I get to stay for 5 weeks! We rented a fabulous beach house that will be perfect for me to work out of and I am absolutely pinching myself! Yesterday, I was able to get out to the Frederica River for a morning painting. The low country marshes and roaring ocean are a beautiful sight!

Sky Plumes

Sky Plumes, 6 x 6, L. Daniel, SOLD

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Oooooops! Yesterday I promised to post the larger version of "Rosy Billows" but apparently I never photographed it. This means I will not be able to do it until I get back to Austin next month. I will post both again then. So sorry (I thought I was so organized). Meanwhile, here is another small sky study. We have arrived in Georgia and I can't wait to get painting here!

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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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Fenceline

Fenceline, 6 x 8, L. Daniel, SOLD

Another gorgeous spot in the Texas countryside... I love fencelines in fields...

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Hill Country Meadow

Hill Country Meadow, 5 x 7, L. Daniel, SOLD

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...one of our many beautiful spring-touched meadows just beginning to burst with wildflowers...

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Personal update: In the morning, I am heading out on a great adventure to paint on the Georgia coast for 5 weeks! (Details to come). My husband and I are taking a little road trip to get there and stopping in New Orleans on the way. While we are on the road, I'll be posting some recently finished work. As soon as I get organized and painting in GA, I will post from there... I am so excited!!!

Golden Banks

Golden Banks, 9 x 12, L. Daniel

One of my favorite things about the Hunt area of Texas is the wonderful spots in the road that cross over and next to the Guadalupe River. This crook in the river caught my eye every time we passed it and I became slightly obsessed with getting there to paint. We determined that morning would be the best time, and went back in earnest on our last day. It was kind of a grand finale for our painting trip.

Watching the River Flow

Watching the River Flow, 6 x 12. L. Daniel

This is another one from our trip to Hunt, Texas outside Kerrville. The Guadalupe River runs through this whole area, sometimes wider, sometimes narrower. I like how the trees along the bank seem to be cheering it along on it's journey. This view belongs to my good pal Julie, who generously shared it with all of us! (Thanks J!)

Stable Before Dusk

Stable Before Dusk, 12 x 12, L. Daniel

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This weekend we had our annual Plein Air Austin painting trip. Organized by the fabulous Julie Davis, 23 of our members traveled to the Hill Country to paint for 3 days. There was no shortage of incredible views; and paint, we did! Late Friday afternoon, four of us pulled off the road at this horse stable to catch that end-of-day light. Although the horses never came back while we were there, we could hear them "neighing" the whole time. :)

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On a side note, today I met a blogosphere painter friend in real life! Tracey Mardon from Edmonton, Canada came to town and we had a wonderful lunch together. Tracey and I have been blog friends for awhile now and it was so fun to finally meet! It was like meeting a pen pal! Thanks for coming to Austin, Tracey!!!

Goat Shed

Goat Shed, 12 x 9, L. Daniel

Last Thursday, Plein Air Austin had another drizzly paintout day; I had to set up my easel in the back of my car to keep the canvas dry. We painted at a wonderful ranch and it was well worth the trouble. Our wonderful host, Pat Haberman, drove us all around and promised to have us back when the sun is out. (I don't forget a promise like that!) Thank you Pat! :) This little shed used to be the home and shelter of a goat herd. I would have loved to see their little faces peeking out through the rain...

The following day, Plein Air Austin left for a weekend painting trip in the Hill Country. It's just that time of year. More on that tomorrow!

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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Blankets of Color

Blankets of Color, 12 x 16, L. Daniel

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Today was one of those perfect spring days that is irresistible to a plein air painter. It was warm (but not hot), sunny and bright. After about a week of overcast drizzle, it was a welcomed change. I have been eying this field of riotous color for awhile, waiting for just such a day... total joy!