Farm and Salt Water Marsh

"Farm and Salt Water Marsh" by Andrew Daniel

9" x 12" (23cm x 30cm) oil on canvas

available in my online shop

I've been spending a lot of time at the Arcata Marsh, this area has been recently opened up to the bay water to flow in. They've opened a hole in the levee to let salt water into this field, over time it will become a salt water marsh with hundred year old seeds opening from the natural seed bank. 

I've been really attracted to the cool colors from the reflected sky that wind their way through the warm tones of the grasses.

Rocks at Moonstone Beach

"Rocks at Moonstone Beach" by Andrew Daniel

12" x 12" (30cm x 30cm) oil on canvas

available in my online shop 

I revisited this theme at Moonstone Beach, to see if I could render the foreground rocks in a more convincing way and use deeper richer colors then the last time. I also wanted to develop the background trees with more texture and more subtle edges. It has been really interesting to hang the previous Moonstone paintings next to each other to judge my development.

Dune Forest Hillside

 

Dune Forest Hillside by Andrew Daniel

oil on canvas 12" x 12" (30cm x 30cm)

available in my online shop

There is something so magical about a rarely used dune forest path. The trees are so small that the create an intimate world, sheltered from the gusting coastal winds and the bright sun. It feels like crawling into a cave of trees.

First Light Trinidad Bay

"First Light Trinidad Bay" by Andrew Daniel

8" x 10" 20cm x 25cm oil on canvas

available in my online shop

I met with Kathryn Stotler on the side of Scenic Drive in Trinidad last month. When the sun came up over the cliffs, it lit up the rocks with warm light, while the dark shadows in the foreground created a strong sense of contrast. I just had to paint as fast as I could to try and keep up with the changes!