I graduated from San Jose State as a graphic designer & illustrator, and have worked continuously in the graphic arts field for both print and digital production. Almost all of that time was inside a studio, rarely getting outside into nature. About 15 years ago, I decided it was time to start painting from life, so I got involved
in the Plein Air group in Bend.

I am drawn to places with water, and love to paint them. Camping on-site, allows me to spend even more time than just a single afternoon to capture the beauty. Being in nature, with natural light is entirely different than painting from a reference photo. You have to focus on the actual colors of the light effects and simplify the shapes to describe the experience with freshness.

Our teardrop trailer allows me to access sites much further away at some of Oregon’s premier locations. The Oregon coast, the Rogue and Umpqua rivers as well as central Oregon, the Ochoco National forest and the Steens mountains. Working outside has meant using a smaller format canvas panels, because of the time constraint. (The light changes significantly ina two-hour window) I still like working from nature, but have gone to a larger 24” x 24” format for new work in the studio. 

If you would like to see more of my work, just go to
www.DanONeilFineArt.com for originals, framed prints and
reproductions on a variety of media.