Rock Passage - painting in Laguna Beach!!

Rock Passage, 12 x 10, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2019

SOLD

Last week I had a wonderful opportunity to do some painting in Laguna Beach, CA! SUCH fun!! It's a beautiful place and there is a compelling view in every direction. The hard part, as always, was choosing what to paint and how much to include. This iconic rock formation is probably the most painted spot there, but I couldn't resist giving it a go. 

Here is my set up from the overlooking cliff...

2019 PLEIN AIR WORKSHOP INFO:

Nov. 8-9, 2019 - Austin, Texas

Contemporary Austin Art School 

FULL - Register for waitlist Here 

2020 PLEIN AIR WORKSHOP INFO:

March 30-April 2, 2020 - Wimberley, Texas

Contact Helena Hauk, Wimberley Artists Workshops, 800-327-1913

April 16-18, 2020 - St. Simons Island, Georgia

Contact Mary Anderson, Anderson Fine Art Gallery, 912-634-8414 

Hidden Beach - Painting on the West Coast

Hidden Beach, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2018

Available - click for more information 

I know I have been missing in action for a couple months, and I am happy to report that all is well with me! Thanks to those who checked in! Once I finished those large commissions, I got my house and studio back in order, and I took a break! We traveled some, had a long visit with our daughter and her children, and just enjoyed life. 

This is a painting from our trip to Carmel, CA, one of our fall excursions. Hidden Beach is a small cove, off the hiking trail at the end of Point Lobos. It was a bit of a hike to get down to, and I had a fabulous quiet morning painting the waves and rocks in a lovely patch of shade. (The bright sunlight can be challenging and I forgot my umbrella, so that shade was a welcome surprise.) Very few hikers ventured down the path, so I had the "beach" pretty much to myself. It was awesome. 

Here are some other art-making moments... You will be happy to know that even though I was taking a break, my studio was in full use!

Craggy Shore and a winter group show in Austin!

Craggy Shore, 30 x 40, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2018

Available at the Davis Gallery

This painting is an enlargement from a small plein air study I did a year or so ago. It was the perfect subject for our current group show, "In Depth", at the Davis Gallery here in Austin. For this exhibit, each gallery artist was asked to consider the 5th element of art - space - as we created works to be included. I always get a sense of HUGE space when I stand at the edge of the ocean. In this scene, the rhythmic pattern of the rocks and water disappearing into the distance helped to tell the story of that vastness.

Below: this painting ended up in the gallery window for the show! YAY! Here is a shot taken from outside after the opening reception. The show is up through February 24th. If you are anywhere near Austin, please drop by!

Also in the Davis Gallery show: 

Beach Cove Overlook, 18 x 36, oil on canvas. 

See blog post on this piece. 

Free to Roam, 18 x 18, oil on canvas.

See blog post on this piece. 

Rocky Inlet

Rocky Inlet, 6 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2013 

SOLD

Here is another "postcard" from Hawaii from me to you - sent from my home of course! On a trip up to the north shore of Oahu we discovered many beautiful beaches. Some are famous for great surfing (Sunset and Pipeline) but this rocky inlet is a favorite spot for sea turtles to hang out. Unfortunately, we missed the turtles but we did get a dose of that gorgeous, warm afternoon light!

American Women Artists - 2 exhibits in Arizona with opening festivities this weekend!

Cactus Salute, 18 x 18, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012

SOLD

If you are in the Tucson, AZ area this weekend, please join me at the American Women Artists shows where these two pieces will be on display: 

FRIDAY, NOV 2:

15th Annual American Women Artists National Juried Show

K. Newby Gallery and Sculpture Garden

Tubac, Arizona

Reception 1:00-4:00 pm

SATURDAY, NOV 3:

"Visions of the Southwest"

American Women Artists - Signature and Master Member Exhibition

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum 

Tucson, Arizona

Paintout 9:00-11:00 am

Reception 2:00-4:00 pm

I am thrilled to have achieved Signature status with AWA this summer and to be participating in these events! It's going to be a fun weekend!

Desert Trail, 18 x 18, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2012 - SOLD

Beside Still Waters, 12 x 12, Oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012

This weekend, my son will marry his true love. It is such a happy occasion for both families and we are celebrating with all our hearts! Such joy! Right before I left Austin for the wedding, I was able to squeeze in a morning to paint at the lake. It was a good way for me to avoid the obsessive nature of all things "wedding"... to just get outside and take a breath and reflect on this most glorious event. I am one happy mom. :)

Shallow Creek Bed

Shallow Creek Bed, 12 x 9, Oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012

The creeks are flowing here in Texas, due to September rains... and let me just say, we love rain, no matter when it falls. This creek is a popular spot for teenagers, particularly when spring fever hits. But this week? Quiet and peaceful. Only the occasional dog and master passed me by, so I had it all to myself. The river grasses are warming up with that warm fall glow... just delicious. 

Secret Fern Grotto

Secret Fern Grotto, 12 x 9, oil on panel, L.Daniel © 2012

Last week, Plein Air Austin met up at a wonderful spot. Getting there took effort and determination, but after 125 rickety, steep rock steps down into a canyon, we discovered a magical, secret fern grotto. This is one of those places that you just have to experience from the full 360 degrees of sight and sound. It's simply breathtaking. The quiet dripping of the waterfall... the eerie birdsong... the brilliantly colored moss and fern...  I can only say this, the climb in and out (on a really hot day) was totally worth it. 

Weathered Bluff and Stormy Lake - Door County Plein Air

Weathered Bluff, 12 x 9, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012

Available at the Peninsula School of Art, Guenzel Gallery

These two paintings from the Door County Plein Air Festival are completely connected, story-wise, so I am posting them together...

I got up very early one morning to paint the rocky cove above. I was sure that the morning light would be just gorgeous, but about 20 minutes after I started, it began to rain. Clearly a big storm was coming so I had to quit. Packing up my car, I noticed the "Stormy Lake" view below and determined that I could paint that scene under the tailgate of my rental car. The storm got louder and wilder. Eventually, I was completely inside the car, cross-legged, and finished the painting with my easel practically in my lap. 

I did go back the next day for the "Weathered Bluff" painting - I was committed! It was overcast again, but still beautiful. I do want to go back again sometime when it's sunny! Hopefully next year?? :) 

(Again, please forgive the blurry photos, I did not have the right equipment with me to get good images. Still kicking myself.)

Stormy Lake, 12 x 9, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012, NFS

Day's End - Door County Plein Air

Day's End, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012

Available at the Peninsula School of Art, Guenzel Gallery

On Wednesday night of the Door County Plein Air Festival, all of the 40 featured artists gathered at the waterfront in Sister Bay to paint the sunset. This was one of the highly publicized events of the week, and crowds of people came out to watch us in action. All were very respectful and encouraging but it was intimidating nonetheless! :) After a full day of rain and drizzle, the sun came out on cue and gave us a beautiful display. 


At the VERY end of this day, a few of us went bowling at the local bowling alley. It was great to pull away mid-week and do something completely different... to just hang out a bit together and socialize. :)

Front l-r: Me, Scott Lloyd Anderson, Aaron Schuerr, Mark Horton, Shelby Keefe, Richard Lindenberg

Back l-r: Tom Maakestad, Chuck Marshall, Frank Gardner, Stuart Fullerton (Golden Pin winner), Marc Hanson

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

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!

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!!! 

Mist On The Rocks

Mist On The Rocks, L. Daniel, 9 x 12

Back at Point Lobos on day two of the Weekend with the Masters... 
I studied with plein air painter Joe Paquet, who is passionate about painting, art and life. The day was overcast and foggy, and Joe did a great demo showing us how he paints air and atmosphere into his vista paintings. We started with an underpainting of all the shadow elements using cobalt blue, black and lead white (or flake white). Sadly, I didn't think to take photos of that stage so I can't show you what it looked like. My goal here was to create distance between the various receding elements and the underpainting helped me get the values set correctly from the beginning.

Addendum... it turns out that my friend, Leigh Sparks, took pictures at the workshop and happened to catch my painting at the early stage. Here is the underpainting using cobalt blue, white and black. Color was added on top of this. Thank you, Leigh! :)

Point Lobos - Six Quick Studies

Point Lobos Study 1, L. Daniel, 6 x 9, NFS

Last week I had the great fortune to attend the Weekend with the Masters  in Monterey, CA -  four days filled with workshops, demos, and lectures featuring some of our country's best artists and teachers. I spent one of the days studying with Ray Roberts, who focused on painting quickly in the field to capture important shapes and fleeting color notes. Learning to work fast means being able to bring home more options for painting a scene larger and more carefully in the studio. We did 30 minute studies, repositioned, and started again.

Some tips for doing 30 minute studies? Do not limit your palette (bring primary and secondary colors). Premix tints. Keep it simple (really simple). Use lots of paint. Focus on getting correct values and identifying major color families. Do not try to get finished paintings - stop when you have the notes you need. And practice, practice, practice. 

These are the studies I finished that day at Point Lobos in Monterey. It was an incredibly fruitful day and I think I caught the rhythm of something that will really benefit my work. Many thanks to Ray Roberts. (These studies are not for sale.)

Point Lobos Study 2, 6 x 9, NFS

Point Lobos Study 3, 6 x 9, NFS

Point Lobos Study 4, 6 x 9, NFS

Point Lobos Study 5, 6 x 9, NFS

Point Lobos Study 6, 6 x 9, NFS

Swimming Hole Cypress

Swimming Hole Cypress, L. Daniel, 12 x 12
.

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!!!

Delivery Day!!!

Rocky Outcropping, 36 x 24, (reworked - original was posted on 10/5)

Morning Harvest, 24 x 36 (reworked - orginal was posted on 10/15)

Today I delivered 20 new paintings to Davis Gallery for my upcoming show. The opening reception is Saturday, October 24, from 7-9pm here in Austin. It's always so exciting to reach this point, where the work is done and the celebration is still ahead. Bill Davis has an incredible knack for putting it all together... I love going back and seeing how it's all been hung! If you are in town this weekend, please come by!!!

PS - The two paintings above called for a little last minute "fixing" before they could go to the gallery. :)

Rocky Outcropping

Rocky Outcropping, 36 x 24

Rocky Outcropping (original study), 8 x 6

This jagged wall of rock provided such an interesting contrast to the soft, billowy, big-sky clouds that hovered above it. My original study was a quick response to the dropping light at the end of the day. Back in the studio, I found the re-creation of that feeling to be far more difficult. The larger piece needed more information and the silhouetted rocks just misbehaved... but there you have it. Some births are harder than others.