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!

"Foggy Morning Castle Rock" by Andrew Daniel

"Foggy Morning Castle Rock" by Andrew Daniel

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

available in my online shop

I thought the subtle greys in this scene felt calm, and quiet. The surf cold surf was a pale grey green. Every time I paint the ocean it's a different color.

Under the Bridge

"Under the Bridge" by Andrew Daniel

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

available in my online shop

I met with Paul Rickard and Kathryn Stotler to paint under this bridge in Blue Lake, to avoid the rain falling on our canvases. It was so lovely to watch the the landscape covered in mist and the water rushing past us! We felt like we were sneaking in a secret bonus day of out door beauty, that most people were shut up inside avoiding!

Bird's Eye View

 "Bird's Eye View" by Andrew Daniel

18" x 24" 46cm x 61cm
oil painting on canvas with simple wood frame 

This fall, several of us converged on the bluffs over Trinidad Beach. We met for over a couple weeks, nearly every day because the weather was so nice. My painting took a bit longer then everyone else, due to the amount of detail I had included. So I found myself a lonely painter on the bluff, as the weather changed, revisiting the spot several more times. Finishing the piece was cathartic to say the least!

Winter Morning Trinidad Bay

"Winter Morning Trinidad Bay" by Andrew Daniel

8" x 10" 20cm x25cm

available in my online shop

I met up with Kathryn Stotler to paint in Trinidad a couple weeks ago. The morning light was so vibrant,  I love painting morning light!

Mad River Shore Morning Fog

"Mad River Shore Morning Fog" by Andrew Daniel

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

available in my online shop

I thought the subtle greys in this scene felt calm, and quiet. One of my favorite scenes to paint because of the muted colors and the layered spacial depth.

Waiting to Perform

"Waiting to Perform" by Andrew Daniel

Model: Kayla McConnell

24" x 18" (61cm x 46cm)

available in my online shop

Kayla modeled for our figure group in her waterfall dress from a recent ballet performance. At first, I found the dress to be overwhelming to create out of paint, but once I began in earnest, I realized that the constantly changing surfaces of it made it one of my favorite things to paint!