Wednesday, February 29, 2012

River Border - Big Bend

River Border, L. Daniel, 9 x 12 - SOLD


So... the Big Bend National Park is located where the Texas/Mexico border makes a BIG bend in its overall shape (hence the name). The Rio Grande River runs along the border separating the two countries, and since the river is a bit low right now one could easily walk across to the other side. So much for border patrol. I did paint this scene on the Texas side (but will you ever really know?) :)


A personal side note: So many of you have sent me notes congratulating the end of my breast cancer treatments and wonderful wishes for a healthy future. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your prayers throughout and words of encouragement mean everything. Deep, deep thanks and much love to all. 

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Ghost Town Remnants - Big Bend

Ghost Town Remnants, L. Daniel, 9 x 12 - SOLD


The biggest town in the Big Bend area is Terlingua, a funky little place with a bonafide Ghost Town right in the middle! The ghost town sits on a hillside next to an old graveyard and all the old adobe houses are in various stages of dilapidation. This one was particularly interesting with the sunlight coming through the roof. I really wonder about the people who used to live in these homes and what their life in the desert was like.


Here I am all bundled up, painting inside another ruin to stay warm... it was so windy and cold that day.



Monday, February 27, 2012

Desert Ocotillo - Big Bend

Desert Ocotillo, L. Daniel, 9x12

I just returned from a fabulous painting trip in Big Bend (Southwest Texas) with my painting buddy Julie Davis and a bunch of other great folks from the Outdoor Painters Society. It's about an 8 hour drive, but so worth it to see the diverse and distinct desert/mountain landscape. The first morning we stopped to paint on the side of a desert road to just get acclimated to the colors and shapes. These ocotillo plants are everywhere. In a couple of weeks they will bloom with red flowers... we were just a little too early.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Verdant River Valley

Verdant River Valley, L. Daniel, 30 x 30
SOLD

This river runs through a valley in the Adirondack Mountains where I painted last summer for a week. It is such a gorgeous area of the country and painting at this ambling body of water was a highlight. I posted the plein air piece then, but recently finished this larger studio piece. Misty storm clouds were wafting away (it rained a lot that week) and the sun was breaking through in the distance. Ahhh... I do love it when the sun breaks through. 

AND, speaking of sunny breakthroughs... I finally reached the end of my radiation treatments. YAY!!! For those just tuning in, I was diagnosed with breast cancer this past November. I had a lumpectomy in December followed by 6 1/2 weeks of radiation every day. Last Thursday, I got the final blast. Indeed, a HUGE breakthrough!! Though it wasn't fun, I am so very grateful for each and every dose, and am feeling great.  

My sweet husband took me away to a spa weekend in San Antonio to be pampered... here we are celebrating on the Riverwalk. As if that wasn't enough, tomorrow I am heading out to paint at Big Bend for a few days. The celebrating just doesn't end!!! Again I say, YAY!!!

Monday, February 6, 2012

Blue Dusk Reflection - Salon International 2012!!!

Blue Dusk Reflection, L. Daniel, 18 x 18
SOLD

I am so excited to announce that this painting was juried into the Salon International 2012 show at the Greenhouse Gallery in San Antonio, Texas. It is a great privilege to be able to participate in this exhibit alongside a host of incredible artists whose work I adore. The show opens April 14 and runs through May 4. If you are anywhere nearby, please plan to come! WOO HOO!!