pink

6" x 6" oil on reclaimed wood panel | Flanegan | commission

One in a commissioned series of five - wee!

What a whirlwind of a year - 2012 was sprinkled with many exciting firsts for me. I feel like these blooming echinachea!! Thank you for visiting with me this year and sending your encouraging words.

A new year filled with love and joy to all.

hot chocolates

four 3" x 3" acrylic on reclaimed wood panel  |  Flanegan  |  commission

my chocolates were very popular this season...

: )

I hope you're all enjoying the holidays with friends and family!

Flame

Flame | Flanegan | 12" x 7" oil on reclaimed wood panel | commission

Flame is a rescued kitty and lives a charmed life in Tennessee. pure joy!

Dog Tired

Dog Tired | Flanegan | 12" x 12" oil on reclaimed wood panel | sold

'Tis the season for wrapping up Christmas commissions - fa la la fun!! This painting was based on a client's photograph of the pups after a day of swimming and running...adorable. I usually can't post presents until after the holidays, but I was cleared for this one and just in time - a 12" x 12" for 12/12/12!

: )

We've had freezing temps the last couple of evenings - winter has arrived in the Texas Hill Country. 

30 : Miss Samantha

Samantha | Flanegan | 7" x 7" oil on reclaimed wood panel | sold

A lovely and peaceful Thanksgiving to all.

29 : Good Morning Sunshine!

Hali | Flanegan | 8"x 6" oil on reclaimed wood panel | sold

I am all smiles today!  Sweet Hali has the bluebonnet blues but its all good - what's not to love here? She was a joy to paint. 

: )

28 : Sonny in the Shade 2

Sonny in the Shade 2 | Flanegan | 6"x 6" oil on reclaimed wood panel 

Happy Election Day! I voted in October, the same day as President Obama. Our foremothers, forefathers and military members have sacrificed greatly for our privilege to have a voice - please vote!

: )

27 : Sonny in the Shade

Sonny in the Shade | Flanegan | 9"x 9" oil on reclaimed wood panel | $190 + t|s

Sonny loves to pose {he smiles too}. I plan to paint a larger one...

: )

26 : blast off!

blast off! | Flanegan | 6"x 6" oil on reclaimed wood panel | $90 + t|s

25 : the bloomers

the bloomers | Flanegan | 6"x 6" oil on wood panel | DPW Hurricane Sandy Auction

Glorious rain is to flowers as kindness is to the soul. I feel like I'm in bloom, blessed by some of the most precious friends on the planet.

This second take of the cone flowers was painted after studying with talented and accomplished artist, Laurel Daniel at the The Art School at Laguna Gloria. She is wonderfully confident and generous with her knowledge and experience. The class (a birthday gift from a friend) was very fun and quite helpful in keeping my values in check. It's so easy to be distracted by color.

The garden was sprinkled with contrast and saturated color as the sun came out after a much-needed steady rainfall. If flowers could smile, this is how I imagine them...

: )

24 : buds

buds |  Flanegan  |  6"x 6" oil on wood panel 

what a joy to look after a friend's garden.

: )

23 : Sleepy Bunch

Sleepy Bunch  |  Flanegan  |  8"x 16" oil on wood panel 

22 : Wiseguys

wiseguy |  Flanegan  |  6"x 6" oil on wood panel  | sold

Wiseguy had just woken up from his mid-morning nap and I thought it amusing that -1- he acknowledged his shadow on some level and -2- that his shadow seemed equally engaged. Which made me wonder...who was the real wiseguy here - my horse or his fair weather friend?
Some paintings flow more easily than others and this was one of them. You may become quite attached to the inspiration or the memory which is not a good thing if you're a working artist.
So last Saturday when I shared a booth with Sol'stice Gallery at the Dripping with Taste Wine and Food Festival and displayed this painting to sell, it was more difficult than I had anticipated. As it turned out - selling it was the best of all scenarios. A couple of collectors, who have become my dear friends, gave Wiseguys a loving home.

: )

"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom."
- Marcel Proust

21 : Sundae Evening

Sundae Evening |  Flanegan  |  6"x 6" oil on reclaimed wood panel  | $90 + s|h

The sky has more blue in this photo than what I see on my panel - maybe because I shot it outside - cooler light source. Any other painters out there paint earlier in the day (lighter or brighter) than what they see? This field was more subdued, but I love this raw sienna straight out of the tube right now. Like caramel...time for some ice cream.


: )

20 : Henry's hillside

Henry's hillside |  Flanegan  |  6"x 6" oil on reclaimed wood panel  | $90 + s|h

17 | 18 | 19: fresh start

fresh start  |  Flanegan  | (3) 2.5" x 3.5" oil on reclaimed wood panels  | $150 + s|h

fresh start 1 | Flanegan | 2.5" x 3.5" oil on reclaimed wood panel | $55 + s|h

fresh start 2 | Flanegan | 2.5" x 3.5" oil on reclaimed wood panel | $55 + s|h

fresh start 3 | Flanegan | 2.5" x 3.5" oil on reclaimed wood panel | $55 + s|h

Another fun fun fun Daily Paintworks 'Paint It Small' challenge posted by painter, David Lloyd.  I really enjoy painting minis...and they're so collectible!

: )

16: Gate Keeper

Gate Keeper  |  Flanegan  | 12"x 12" oil on re-purposed wood panel  | donation

*11 August - Save the Date*
The 'Fetching Art' fundraiser will benefit the new Austin Dog Alliance center being built in Cedar Park. As their event draws near, more info will be available on their website. This painting of Sonny will be included in their silent auction and a giclee reproduction will be displayed in the ADA's new digs.
What a joy it is for our community to support this organization!

15: Basset Wader

Basset Wader  |  Flanegan  | 6"x 12" oil on re-purposed wood panel  | $225

proper documentation...technical quirks remedied...for now.

: )

15: Basset Wader

Basset Wader [detail]  |  Flanegan  | 6"x 12" oil on re-purposed wood panel  | $225

yes, I know. This image should be horizontally oriented; however, during the uploading process the photo rotated 90 degrees. Has this happened to anyone else? I tried to remedy this curious error...to no avail...ugh.
The inspiration for this image was the Daily Paintworks Challenge. Very fun!

A Mother's Flag [detail] |  Flanegan  | 12"x 12" acrylic on re-purposed wood panel  | sold

In June my computer sadly bit the dust. I'm grateful that my files were backed-up, though successfully re-installing my software is another matter entirely. So I haven't blogged.


But yesterday I was given powerful incentive to start posting again. I love my iPhone but plan to re-shoot the pics when I'm able. So regardless of photo orientation or image quality - I will prevail!!!


: )

14: A Mother's Flag, work-in-progress

A Mother's Flag  |  Flanegan  | 12"x 12" acrylic on re-purposed wood panel  | WIP

12 | 13: I'm Floored

I'm Floored 1 + 2 | Flanegan |12" x 12" |Available through Austin Art Garage

This twin piece was inspired by the youth of today. Rest assured, our future has promise.

: )

11: Cotton Candy

Cotton Candy  |  Flanegan  | 6"x 6" acrylic on primed paper  |  nfs

The fabulous Christine Terrell of Adaptive Reuse put out a call to the community to join her in celebrating National Arts Advocacy Day by contributing small works that she will be distributing throughout Austin on April 16-17. Read more about her cool 'freeArt project' here.

10: Lucky or Smart?

Smarty Pants | Flanegan | 5"x 5" oil on primed wood panel | nfs

This is Kirby and 'smart' gets her vote.
According to a news report earlier this week, George, a 2-year-old basset hound got in a tangle with a phone cord which wrapped around his neck, but saved his own life by calling 999 (= 911).
awesome.
Read more of this incredible story here and decide for yourself, was George lucky or smart?  I'd like to think both - just look at that face! pure joy.

: )

9: Two Apples Short of a Pie

Two Apples Short of a Pie  |  Flanegan  |   5" x 5"  oil on primed wood panel  |  $80 + t|s|h

I still have pie on the brain.

A while back I bought Winsor and Newton Water Mixable Oil Colours because I love the characteristics of oils, but not the solvents. I'm happy with everything but the consistency of the paint which is kind of a big deal - they're firmer, not as buttery. Any suggestions from my painter friends out there? I prefer paint out of the tube, but I used the water mixable medium suggested and went back to paint out of the tube. Then I tried a smaller brush and we battled it out...some paintings put up a fight...it was a 'flurry' of activity.
: )

I trust it'll work itself out.

8: Green on the Grey

Green on the Grey  |  Flanegan  |   4" x 4"  acrylic on gessoed paper  |  $50 + t|s|h 

Another Daily Paintworks challenge...this one was about limiting the amount of detail while still retaining its 3d 'appleness'.


yum...time for another apple pie!


: )

Take 2

Grey on the Green 2   |  Flanegan  |   8" x 10" x 1" acrylic on cradled panel  |  $190 + t|s|h  

I made a few adjustments. And this sweet grey needed some company anyway. Now I'm done - really!


: )

7: Grey on the Green

For those of you who do not recognize this landscape, this painting was in response to a photograph posted by Carol Marine of Daily Paintworks, home of the crazy popular weekly challenges. My focus here was to loosen up my brush strokes and to not get snagged on the details. It was a push-me-pull-you kind of painting and very fun!

6: A Tired Pair

A Tired Pair  |  Flanegan  |  6x6 acrylic on panel  |  $90 + t|s|h

5: A Curious Bunch

A Curious Bunch  |  Flanegan  |  6x6 acrylic on panel  |  $90 + t|s|h

I'm going to make like a banana and split...to the Y tomorrow. I'm at the end of my rolodex of excuses as to why I haven't the time to workout. You may relate to what I'm saying here. What helps me is grabbing a bud - not a Bud, but a buddy - and heading out. Take your walk, jog, swim, etc. together. As they say, misery loves company!
Seriously, it's all good and I'm excited to get back at it. Here's to putting a little recess back in your day!

4: Hya Cinthia!

Hyacinth in Blue   |  Flanegan  |  4"x 5" acrylic on panel

you're in bloom!

3: Mina Schneider and the Power of Love

Mina  |  Flanegan  |  10"x 8" charcoal on paper  |  sold

2: Blossom and Leap Day Sunset

Blossom | Flanegan | 3"x 3" acrylic on wood panel | $50 plus s+h

"Just living is not enough. One must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower."

- Hans Christian Andersen

1: In Bloom

In Bloom | Flanegan | 3"x 3" acrylic on wood panel | $50 plus s+h

How fun! The poetry reading|art exhibit was unforgettable...in more ways than one.  A 4o-something fledgling in bloom whenever I get to share with fellow artists.

: )

Thanks again to Borderlands' Director Ramona Cearley, the Borderlands' staff and volunteers, BookWoman's Susan Post, talented writers, my dear and amazing friends and all who attended Sunday's event.


"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."     - Eleanor Roosevelt

cover girl

Grace during the Storm  |  Flanegan  |  oil on panel

"Join us to celebrate Borderlands: Texas Poetry Review's

new winter issue with a reading and exhibit Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, at BookWoman, 5501 North Lamar Blvd., in Austin."

Look who's featured on the cover?! hmmm...poetry and art - what a lovely way to enjoy a Sunday afternoon. 
My friend, Judy Jensen, will be reading and I will have drawings and paintings on display.

Stop by if you're in the neighborhood!

Henry's pasture

Henry's pasture  |  Flanegan  |  sold

We received over two inches of rain which was quite heavenly. In between torrential downpours and a bit of hail, the fog lingered in for a visit and we had a chat. I love how it transforms the Texas landscape and find it so comforting.
Once I found a spot, set up and sat down to paint (I don't have an easel yet), I had wished the fencing was not in my sight line. Then I saw the light in the raindrops, the deer grazing nearby and the birds flushed out by my dog, Tru - which I would never have experienced had my only reference been a photograph of the pasture. Love getting out of the studio.
Near freezing temps are forecast for this evening. I miss my Ohio.

Shy in the studio

Shy in the studio, study 1 | Flanegan   |  8 x 6  |  $100

This is my Shyni Tsunami. A few years back and a couple of broken ribs later, I discovered that he was aptly named by his former owner.

Even though it was a cloudy day when I took this photo, he looked so ethereal peering inside. My current focus is experimenting with various light conditions and I found this overcast day quite challenging. Muddying-up the values came a little too easy, but I'm happy with this one. Onto the next!

coldfront

Flanegan | 3" x 4" study | acrylic on primed, reclaimed wood panel | sold  

Celebrating the Life of RowdyGirl Barksdale

Flanegan | 7" x 7" | acrylic on reclaimed wood panel | nfs

morning walk - study 2

Flanegan | 3" x 3" study | acrylic on primed, reclaimed wood panel | sold

good morning 2012!

Flanegan | 6" x 6" study | acrylic on reclaimed wood panel | sold

What's not to love about a fresh start?
Blue sky...sunbeams striping the landscape...wagging tails during a morning stroll. Here's to new beginnings.