Hay Rolls with Summer Sky

Hay Rolls with Summer Sky, L. Daniel, 18 x 18

This is the larger painting of Hay Rolls. I was drawn to the wonderful variety of "rolling" forms in this scene: the spools of hay in the foreground, the undulating tree masses and distant hills, and finally the swirling sky shapes. All seemed to be unified by that summer afternoon in Texas, white bright light that we know so well.

Hay Rolls

Hay Rolls, L. Daniel, 6 x 6, SOLD

Sometimes when I am about to tackle a large piece I don't feel quite ready. Maybe I haven't painted for a few days and feel rusty, or maybe the canvas seems just too white... Whatever the problem is, it really helps me to pull out a small canvas to "warm up" on. This is one of those. Larger painting coming tomorrow.

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Personal side note: I just returned from New York City where I was able to visit the Matisse exhibit at the MoMA and the Picasso exhibit at the Met. It amazed me to see how often both of these great artists returned to certain imagery and how they reworked specific pieces over and over. They seemed to have an unquenchable focus on the journey, or the "search" if you will. I was so inspired by the evidence of their committed, focussed practice.

Night Sky over the Pier

Night Sky over the Pier, L. Daniel, 18 x 18
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On St. Simons Island in Georgia, everyone goes to the Pier at night... on a walk, on a date, to fish, to eat ice cream, to see friends... on July 4th, to see fireworks. In the summer, there is usually a nice cool breeze off the ocean, which feels pretty great. This is the larger piece done after the small study I posted yesterday.

Luminated

Luminated, L. Daniel, 6 x 8, SOLD

I did this small study in preparation for a larger night sky painting that I will post tomorrow. The big one is a bit more ambitious as I included a much larger portion of the pier. Isolating this smaller section allowed me to work out some of the color/value relationships and silhouette shapes before tackling it on the grand scale. This can be a very helpful process!!!

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Summer Rain (enlarged)

Summer Rain, L. Daniel, 18 x 18

This is a one of several new additions to my big sky series I have been working on since the beginning of the year. I will be posting a couple more new ones over the next few days. Based on a small plein air study (posted June 27), I revisited a warm summer afternoon of painting on Lake Somerville here in Texas. At the end of the day dark clouds rolled in behind the fluffy clouds in the foreground, and emptied out their contents on the distant shore. It is always fun to be watch a weather phenom in action!!

Rusty Red Pickup

Rusty Red Pickup, L. Daniel, 6 x 8, SOLD

Here is another fun vintage vehicle from Carol Marine's junk yard find! I tell you, it was chock full of cool old cars (and lots of other "stuff".) These are such fun to paint because they have gorgeous curves, luscious patina, and loads of personality. And, most of all, it was just great to hang out with a wonderful, sympatico friend, doing what we do!



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Old Blue

Old Blue, L. Daniel, 6 x 8, SOLD 

Yesterday I had a wonderful day of painting with my good friend, Carol Marine. We met up in the small town of Burnet where Carol was camping with her family. If you know Carol, you will not be surprised that she had found a junk yard full of old cars and trucks! It was a teasure trove to say the least. This truck appeared to be peeking out from it's hiding place in the trees... (these old vehicles seem to have personalities.) We both got a couple of paintings in before jumping in the lake to cool off. Ah, the joys of summer!!!




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Sea Oats at Dusk (enlarged)

Sea Oats at Dusk (enlarged), L. Daniel, 12 x 16

This larger version of "Sea Oats" is from awhile back, but I am behind in photographing and posting my work. I have been a little distracted - our daughter got engaged two weeks ago! She and her fiance are not getting married until next summer, but some things (like dates and venue) require immediate attention. Suddenly I am in Wedding Planner mode! :) It's such a wonderful time and we are having lots of fun! We couldn't be happier.

This painting will be available soon at the Anderson Fine Art Gallery in St. Simons Island, GA.

Creek Stop (enlarged)

Creek Stop, L. Daniel, 20 x 24

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This is a larger version of one of my field studies from Georgia. This marshland and creek is behind some ruins of an old estate on Cumberland Island. The whole island is a state park now and a herd of wild horses lives and runs free there. Pretty cool. It's a beautiful place.

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.

Sea Oats At Dusk

Sea Oats At Dusk (study), L. Daniel, 6 x 8, SOLD

This is another study for a larger painting that I will post at another time. (I have been working in the studio all week and am a bit behind in photographing.) I love the way colors and shadows shift as the sun goes down. The beach is particularly dramatic in this respect.

Happy Independence Day to All!!

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First Light

First Light (study), L. Daniel, 6 x 8, study SOLD

Back in Georgia, I was able to spend many early mornings on the beach. Mostly, I just walked and observed because the light moved quickly and became too bright to paint. These first colors of the day are so delicious though, and I find myself still thinking about them back in the studio.

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After completing the small study, I painted this larger piece below to send off to my gallery. Beyond size, I didn't change much in the second one except to "push" more purples and periwinkles in the shadows. They are pretty similar, but I think the larger one vibrates a little more.

First Light, L. Daniel, 12 x 16

Verdant Vineyard

Verdant Vineyard, L. Daniel, 8 x 8, SOLD

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You may not think of Texas when you think of wineries, but we have 'em! These are the vines of the Messina Hof vineyard in Bryan, TX where I painted on Saturday morning. The Forsyth Gallery (of Texas A & M University) arranged this paintout to coincide with our Plein Air Austin exhibit which is currently on display in the gallery. It was designed to bring painters from Austin and Bryan together and was a lot of fun for all of us!!

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Summer Rain

Summer Rain (study), L. Daniel, 9 x 12

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On Friday afternoon, I traveled with a small group of painting buddies to Bryan, Texas for a paintout we were attending on Saturday morning. On the way there, we stopped at Lake Somerville State Park and found this breezy lakeshore vista. The showers in the distance never reached us and we painted till dusk. Ah, the good life...

Hello Brad

Hello Brad, L. Daniel, 8 x 6

I know this subject matter is really off-topic for me, but yesterday our Plein Air Austin group met at the Austin Zoo for our weekly paintout. Something new and different! :) I chose the bird because it was stuck in its cage and couldn't get too far out of my sight (unlike the tigers who kept going into their huts for shade). My bird wasn't very talkative but the bird next door kept repeating, "Hello Brad, Hello Brad", intermingled with the Tarzan cry, "aw-ee-aw-ee-aw". It was quite entertaining. Talking birds... really funny...

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Clouds Rolling In

Clouds Rolling In, L. Daniel, 8 x 6, SOLD

A dramatic sky gets me every time. On this particular day, I was just finishing up another painting in the other direction when these clouds emerged. I couldn't stay, but I memorized the scene AND snapped a picture (you know, just in case I should forget something.)

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Closed Hibiscus

Closed Hibiscus, L. Daniel, 6 x 6

These last couple of weeks have been very full for me... framing for galleries, boxing and shipping, PUTTING THINGS AWAY from my trip, AND hanging out with my sister and nieces who were visiting. But today everything was quiet and I was able to just be in my own backyard painting. How fun is that? We have a giant Hibiscus plant in our garden that blooms all summer long. This is one of it's many blossoms...

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That Summer Feeling

Beach Day, L. Daniel, 12 x 12

This piece and other new works of mine are currently on display in the annual summer show at the Davis Gallery here in Austin. "That Summer Feeling" features the gallery's family of artists, and it is my great delight to be part of it all. Below is the exhibit invitation - wish you could all stop by... and if you are in town, please do! (On display through August 28.)

Clockwise from the top left:

Christopher St. Leger, Laurel Daniel, David Leonard, Matthew Fuller

Swimming Hole Cypress

Swimming Hole Cypress, L. Daniel, 12 x 12
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Getting back into a rythym here in Texas has been slow going... however, yesterday I finally got outside with my paints. WOO HOO! (I was starting to get a little crabby from painting deprivation.) I headed down to McKinney Falls with my painting buddy, Julie Davis, and spent a lovely morning down by the swimmin' hole. This is one of my favorite spots and it's just outside of town. It's getting hot here, so painting by water is a must. And yes, we did get a little swim in as well!!!

Plein Air Exhibition

Blankets of Color, L. Daniel, 12 x 16

Golden Banks, L. Daniel, 9 x 12

I am pleased to share that Plein Air Austin has a juried exhibit opening this weekend at Texas A&M University's Forsyth Galleries! This invitational show is a great opportunity for us, both individually and collectively. We have 22 members participating and each has two paintings included. Above are my two pieces that were juried in; and you can see the entire show by clicking HERE.

Opening reception is Friday night... if you are near, please join us!!

“Plein Air Exhibition”
Featuring the work of Plein Air Austin
June 4 - July 31
MSC Forsyth Center Galleries - Texas A&M University
110 N. Main Street, Bryan, Texas

Opening Reception
Friday, June 11, 6-8 pm

Many thanks to the staff and curators at the Forsyth Galleries and to Beryl Kerwick, our Exhibits Chairman, for her excellent work!

Beach Boardwalk

Beach Boardwalk, L. Daniel, 9 x 12

We are home now. It was sad to leave St. Simons Island, but after five weeks away, it feels good to be back. This is my last painting done in Georgia (on Jekyll Island), but definitely not my last painting of the coastland imagery. I will be revisiting the colors and forms of the beaches and marshlands for a good while to come. As my "painting sabbatical" ends, I feel great satisfaction... both expectant and excited about where this work will lead me next. Having devoted painting time like this is a rare and wonderful opportunity and I enjoyed every minute! Thanks for your many wonderful comments of encouragement and for sharing the journey with me!

Bungalow in Pink

Bungalow in Pink, 12 x 12, L. Daniel

I love seeing all the old bungalows that were built in another lifetime on the island. This pink one particularly caught my eye; yes, because it was just so PINK! The owner wasn't home to give us permission, but hopefully, she would be pleased!!!

PS - When you get this we will be on the road, driving back to Texas. Wow, does time fly when you are having fun! It's sad to leave but it will be good to be home!!

Breakfast in the Village

Breakfast in the Village, 12 x 12, L. Daniel

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Every Saturday morning my in-laws get up and meet their friends for breakfast at Dresner's, a popular little coffee shop in the village of St. Simons Island. It's standard southern fare: eggs, grits, biscuits, bacon... but oh, so good! Whenever we are in town, we try and join them, and the table just gets bigger and bigger as chairs are added in. It's such a fun tradition they have going (and I just had to get down there and paint it)!

Garden Hydrangea

Garden Hydrangea, 12 x 12, L. Daniel

I have watched this Hydrangea in our beach house garden go from leaves only, to little pink-tipped buds, to full-on flower. This process was duplicated in gardens all over the island and they are now in full display everywhere. They are a real garden staple in the south and have fabulously brilliant color; the soil must be perfect for them.

updated image 6/13 - slight changes from original.

Beach Day

Beach Day, 12 x 12, L. Daniel

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I am starting to feel a little sentimental about my last days here on the island. It has gone way too fast. Over Memorial Day weekend, we had a huge family reunion and every second was precious... great dinners, wonderful conversation, hours of laughter on the porch... I know I will be savoring the memories for a long time. This clothesline got pretty heavy at times, as trips to the beach were enjoyed by all!!!! :)

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.