Fa La La Fun!

Has it really been six years?!!
The 6th Annual Pulling Together 4 PAWS Art Benefit welcomes live music by McMillan and Friends with Happy Howliday greetings by Tucker, the Ambassadog. If we're lucky, we'll get to experience multi-talented Melanie Cambron's rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody. Caroling, cookies and hot cocoa with the Sisters Cambron - how cool is that?!
: )
And wait - there's more! Another highlight of this fundraiser is the silent auction, 12-4p. Among the many treasures up for bid are a Learn-to-Row lesson package from the Texas Rowing Center + private sewing lessons from the fabulous and inspired Valli and Kim + original paintings, sculpture and prints from area artists + a container garden arrangement from master gardener, Irene Anderson + gift baskets from Onion Creek Kitchens @ Juniper Hills Farm + gifts from Blue Willow and Tila Blue Unique Accessories + Ellie B leashes and collars + PAWS t-shirts and more!
This event will be sprinkled with hourly drawings of gifts with a $300 grand prize drawing of a commissioned painting of your four-legged friend.
We hope to see you Saturday afternoon!

gratitude pie with sprinkles!

Flanegan | 6" x 6"  |  oil on primed, reclaimed wood panel  |  sold

   We're so grateful to see, smell and feel the rain again...in addition to the promising forecast of more showers this weekend.
   There was an article in Monday's New York Times' Science section entitled, "A Serving Of Gratitude May Save The Day". More and more research supported the notion that giving thanks is good for you.
   May we all remember that when gathered around the table with family and friends...and one kind, well-meaning soul ingites the conversation with politics or the economy. (lol!)
   A joyful Thanksgiving holiday to all. Serve it up and cop an 'attitude of gratitude' - they say it's contagious!

Bailey

6" x 8" cropped  |  sketch book charcoal  |  Flanegan  |  nfs

Another file dispatched from the archives...a sketch of my mother's sleeping Schnauzer, Bailey.
Today is my mother and father's wedding anniversary. Hope you had a wonderful day Jeannie.


x|o

grace during the storm

   6" x 6"  |  oil on panel  | nfs


We were blessed with a half inch of rain today - it was absolutely glorious.
The Grace didn't think so. She may be going deaf, but she heard|felt the thunder loud and clear this morning. She took cover under the sheets and wagged her tail as if to ask if everything was going to be alright.
Here's to feeling safe and comforting those we love during the storm.

long hot summer

     11" x 14" acrylic on canvas panel  | $400 to PAWS - thank you Sam!

One of the most popular spots to escape the searing heat last summer was under the ceiling fan...ahhh.

This is Kirby, our alpha basset, going vogue while cooling off. This painting of her will be auctioned off this Sunday at the Fall Harvest Feast, benefiting the PAWS Shelter and Humane Society. Read more about this organization and their fundraising events here.

Many, many thanks to the wonderful Cambron sisters for all they do for the Dripping Springs community.

: )

the Sunday night blues

6" x 6"  |  acrylic on panel  |  $90 plus s + h

Mr. Specktacular

6" x 6"  |  acrylic on wood panel  |  nfs

Need I say more?

The fabulous Stollenwerks are on 'sabbatical' in Wisconsin and this is their cat, Speck. He's like a downy soft pillow and quite the charmer with those endearing cross-eyed glances. I'm convinced he was the inspiration for the colors of their December wedding a few years back...icy blue and mink...am I right Marita?! ok, that may be stretching it a bit.

: )

This study was recently dispatched from the archives in preparation for a very-special-birthday-surprise commission here in Texas. Two paintings of the same cat - the first as an adorable kitten and the second as a studly two year old.

I love surprises.

tennis anyone?

6" x 6" | oil on wood  |  $90 plus s + h

What a wrap-up of the US Open. There were celebrities, drama and a whole lotta talent!
_____


I love tennis and was inspired by the tournament to finish this painting...after starting it in July of 2009. I remember exactly when I began this piece because is was during my first painter's workshop and the first time I met Carol Marine. I had followed her work for a few years and was in awe of her acute value sensibility and her fresh palette. She was even more delightful than I had anticipated and the whole experience was a major turning point for me.


So here's to tennis champions Stosur and Djokovic and the entire Marine family who continue to inspire, engage and amaze us.

Resilient and Stronger

6" x 6" | oil on wood panel  |  $90 plus s+h


_____


Carol and David Marine of Daily Paintworks lost their home to the Bastrop fire. 100% of the proceeds of this painting will contribute to the Marine family fundraiser. Read more of their story here. Their family's love for one another and ability to see 'a new adventure' through personal tragedy is nothing short of extraordinary.


We honored the first responders of 9|11 and more recently those battling the wildfires throughout Texas...the Bastrop fire continues to blaze with only 40-50% containment. 

Flat Island

6" x 8"  |  charcoal on Stathmore

This beautiful view from my mother and father-in-law's deck on Long Beach Island, New Jersey, remains...post-Irene I'm happy to say.

To clarify my last post which was a little ambiguous, the Jones families in the northeast braved the storm. I was in the 'comfort' of the hottest|driest summer on record in central Texas...if only there were a pipeline that would direct all unwanted rain and flooding water plaguing the northeast to remedy our severe drought in the south. And today with wind advisories, many surrounding areas are battling wildfires...may God bless Texas and all others experiencing trying times.

But there is hope! A cold front is in the forecast for tomorrow...a high of only 90 degrees! ahhh...

: )

Rain dance anyone?

_

At the time of this post, I had no idea that our neighborhood was under mandatory evacuation. When it comes to wildfires during a severe drought people aire on the side of safety - which is a good thing, though it allows for a lot of misinformation to be passed around really fast. Or worst yet, real emergency info spottily distributed in rural areas. Firefighters were battling three major fires in the Austin area and the media was trying to keep up.

evacuation + wildfires + no coverage after the local evening news = ?!

Our neighborhood's lifeline was Google groups and Twitter. Accurate information was posted immediately by reliable sources at multiple lookout points.

If you don't have a neighborhood network set up, get one started.

Brant Beach

 6" x 8" |  charcoal on Strathmore



How nice to spend some time up north with family. The weather was cool and the grass was green...and how wonderful to see + smell + feel the rain again.  Here are a few charcoals from my sketchbook.


This was before Hurricane Irene. Thankfully she was downgraded to a category 1 hurricane. Minus a few repairs and minor flooding, all is well in paradise on Long Beach Island.


: )

Samantha and Rowdy Girl

Recently I had the pleasure of looking after my friends' pups and felt compelled to break out the sketchbook...and who could blame me...what's not to love?

pure joy.

blueberry huddle and new mini 3x3s!

blueberry huddle  |  M. Flanegan | 3" x 3" acrylic on re-purposed wood panel




It's great to be back online, I've missed you.
We celebrate with a blueberry huddle - on 3...break-fast! love blueberry season and so do our chickens. They're liking this new still life series.
: )
In addition to the larger works, I'm happy to be featuring mini 3x3 paintings this summer...freshly picked and ready for delivery.

minis!!!  |  M. Flanegan | 3" x 3" x .75" | $55 + $10 s+h

lucky

Lucky |  M. Flanegan | 6" x 6" oil on wood panel  |  sold

She survived a tangle with four dogs. four dogs.

Just a few weeks old, she'll be livin' large at The Drift Inn Wildlife Sanctuary in Driftwood, Texas (http://thedriftinn.org/) through July. Thank you Kim! I'm grateful for these organizations and would like for them to continue serving our community.

This was the first time I got to play with water mixable oils as I aspire to be a solvent-free painter. The sampler pack seemed like a good idea for starters: titanium white, cadmium yellow light, yellow ochre, phthalo green, alizarin crimson and french ultramarine. A few of these pigments are foreign to my palette...what? no burnt umber? no burnt umber. So a refresher in creative color mixing was in order...good thing I wasn't in a hurry.

Island Getaway

14.5" x 29" acrylic on blended wood panel

The ocean is calling and I need to feel the sand between my toes again...an escape to South Padre Island is on the horizon.

: )

double scoop

11" x 11"  and  11" x 18" acrylic on blended wood panel   commission

I was going to wait until this Wednesday to post, but I couldn't wait.

This painting inspired another panel, so that a couple of lovebird friends of mine may always share the same sunrise.

: )

good morning sky

11" x 18" acrylic on blended wood panel     sold

This painting was approved last night which always triggers a sigh of relief. Commissions can be a bit more stressful and take a while longer when the client's preferences are considered throughout the process. The studio get's a little crowded with all those voices in my head, lol! The creative juices may not always flow without a hitch but that's ok. When your art goes above and beyond your client's expectations - angels sing.

This piece has a delightful twist or shall I say tryst? ...stay tuned for Wednesday evening's post.

: )

my muse

Some say if you want to be taken seriously as an artist, its best to keep it professional and not to get too personal on your blog. But when Jack, my loyal companion for over 13 years, died last March - that convention flew out the window. Art is personal. My process is personal. Life is personal. I grew to realize what a disservice it would be to not share in celebrating his life that in so many ways has enriched mine.

So here's a little tribute to Jack Flanegan. This is the day Jack and I met...yes, that's me with the clown vest on (?). My friend, Shannon, and fellow coworkers rescued him as a pup from a shelter and gave me this bundle of joy snuggled in my Christmas stocking the year my father passed on. He survived Parvo when he was 3-months-old which to me was a testament to the power of prayer, his inner strength and incredible soul. My little super hero (he actually had a white star marked on his chest) became my first studio dog who wonderfully reminded me when it was time to take a break. 

Jack loved riding in the truck, playing with sticks or tennis balls (thank goodness for the Chuckit!) and he loved loved loved to go swimming. No matter the watering hole, he'd run to the highest launch, making the biggest splash (I can still hear it) while retrieving his ball. pure joy.


He was my confidant and my muse...and I feel lost without him. He was a blessing, no - he is a blessing and I am forever grateful.


: )

River Flowing Through Us_4

29" x 29" acrylic on blended wood panel

This piece celebrates the early morning row. On the water at o'dark thirty but by the end of your workout getting to watch the sunrise, silhouetting the trees and shimmering the water. An incredible way to start your day.

"I have always been delighted of the prospect of a new day...with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning."    - Joseph Priestly

River Flowing Through Us_3

29" x 29" acrylic on blended wood panel

At long last, the completed work. (top photo)


Since last Fall this piece has been constructed, deconstructed, sawn, sanded, reconstructed, dismantled again, then sawn and sanded again - got a bit carried away with the table saw.


What a study of color compatibilites, some sing while others fall flat. Always a mystery to me, though you know what works when you see it. Impressionist painter Claude Monet has been quoted as saying, "Colour is my daylong obsession, my joy and my torture."


The final direction reassembled the cut wood strips to create two blended panels, one shown above and the sister piece to be posted soon.

the kiss revisited

3" x 3" acrylic on wood panel x 6  sold


Four of the six needed a little tlc touch-up before delivery.
A nice perk of drawing chocolate is justifying the buying and indulging.
muy yum.
More chocolate please.


: )

Study of a Kiss...or kiss off!

3" x 3" acrylic on wood panel x 12


Some may know what this series is all about while others will be utterly confused and unimpressed at the incomplete work.

This is The Daily Paintworks' Challenge #2 and this time Carol Marine was the culprit. The idea was to pick one object to paint for eight or so 10 minute studies...and not a second more, brushes down. I found this challenge to be an incredibly frustrating dance of two steps forward and three steps back. But I did have my moments. I learned a lot...I discovered that I do not like to be rushed - lol!

: )

Seriously, the objective was for us to become more efficient, to simplify and not get snagged in the details...as in the first study in Round 1. All issues worthy of addressing, no doubt. This may become a ritual with future paintings.

for the love of art

'I Hear You', 26.5" x 34.5" framed charcoal on Rives

Last Saturday night was the opening reception of 'For the Love of Art 6th Annual Juried Exhibit' at Austin Art Space. Diamond may look familiar to you, I posted this drawing last September and it was juried into the show which runs through 5 March. Gallery hours are 11a - 6p Friday and Saturday and by appointment.

What a memorable evening...family, friends, art and beautiful flowers:

 "A bit of fragrance always clings to the hand that gives you roses."
                                                                     - Chinese Proverb

present and accounted for

mosh pit

hide-n-seek

Tru blue

puppy love

Karen Appleton, a Chicago-based artist, had an idea which has inspired a movement. Check this: Present And Accounted For.

Her thought was to send out symbolic gifts to all who wished to participate. Documented photographs were sent back to Karen and those of us participating would relay the gift to a friend and so on. It's all about reminding us that "the spirit of generosity is alive and well." I believe it also triggers the awareness of the many blessings in our lives.

At this moment, dozens - maybe hundreds - of these 'presents' are circling the planet. How cool is that?

When I received mine, I put it on one of the layout tables in my studio like a bouquet of flowers. A week or so passed and I wondered how I'd know when to contribute to her project. When I awoke to a sparkling blanket of snow a few mornings later, I knew it was going to be picture day! Great fun. Thanks for letting us play, Karen.

She and her husband recently adopted a Great Dane puppy - all 5mo and 70+ lbs! The last photo celebrates their blessing, the joyful new addition to their family.

It was only fitting that I share this story on this special day, my mother's birthday. She's the most incredible, loving and generous person I know. Have a wonderful day Jeannie!

love and chocolate

3" x 3" acrylic on wood panel  sold

This 'kiss' is one in a series of twelve celebrating love, joy and freedom...potent and contagious.

: )

Chapel Dulcinea

charcoal study in my sketchbook

What an awesome morning for an outing with the Plein Air Austin group at the world renowned and free Chapel Dulcinea. Love birds have traveled from as far as Australia to wed in this charming little structure overlooking the hill country. The chapel was built into a cliff with ancient walking trails throughout guiding you to poetic sculptures and gardens.

They say that after vows are exchanged, the couple opens the 10' spanish gothic door behind the alter leading to the bell tower and tug on the rope to ring the bell, announcing their blessed union for all to hear. Pure joy.

Couldn't resist venturing out with my sketchbook on this beautiful day, sadly  no time to paint. If you'd like to see this magical destination in color, check out the link to their website listed above and the blog links of a few PAA's talented painters: Laurel Daniel, Julie Davis and Stephen Parker.

30th World Wide SketchCrawl

 

china marker and pastel on paper

Founded by Enrico Casarosa, the World Wide SketchCrawl is about getting out there and drawing to your heart's content and, if you so desire, sharing your sketches with others all over the planet. How cool is that?

Saturday morning was cold, but sunny and gorgeous for my first crawl. I met up with the Plein Air Austin group at the Little City Espresso Bar and Cafe on Congress Avenue for a warmer-upper before heading out.

Surprised by an awkwardness of drawing in the city, I chose the lawn of the State Capitol building. I was more at ease with the horses' sniff and snort critique than with strangers' comments. And it was loud.

I know. How pathetic. So pathetic and silly that I started laughing at myself!

After sketching a couple of 20 to 90 minute sessions with a few comical chats from kids passing by, I was so happy that I ventured out of my comfort zone. I had forgotten how beautiful Austin is...how many lovely trees we have shading downtown...the stunning and historic architecture...the laughter and the energy.

love this town.