elf

"They are constant reminders that life reveals the best of itself when we live fully in the moment and extend our unconditional love. And it is very true that the most tender, uncomplicated, most-generous part of our being blossoms without any effort when it comes to the love of a dog."

from Maira Kalman's 'Beloved Dog'

elf | oil on panel | 6" x 6" | Flanegan

Have you ever fell into bed at night absolutely exhausted, yet you were unable to sleep

because you felt so grateful for everything?
Wishing you all hope and belonging this holiday season and always.

montana

Sawyer

"Let's begin by taking a smallish nap or two."

Winnie the Pooh

 A Four-Legged Word for Love  |  6x6 oil on linen panel  |  commission

Double Trouble

Birthday Girl | oil on Belgian linen panel | 6" x 12" |  Flanegan |  commission

Last week a friend and I were talking about projects we've worked on together and about plotting ventures in the future. Then I thought about this painting she commissioned last year and realized I hadn't posted it.

My tendency is to amp up the saturation so this was a welcomed exercise in muting the scene, tightening the values on this cloudy day. The reference photo depicts a race at the Heart of Texas Regatta. The red buoys mark the last 250 meters of the course where many a race is decided, merciless in revealing the fitness of the athletes.

Austin's Lady Bird Lake is a rower's paradise. I was a competitive rower in what seems like a lifetime ago and I miss my crewmates. :)

breathe

breathe | oil on cradled panel | 8" x 18" |  Flanegan |  $425

Harvey Fundraiser

When you pray, move your feet.

African Proverb

Good Morning Barton | oil on panel | 10" x 8" |  Flanegan | sold

On August 25th, Hurricane Harvey made landfall over Rockport as a Cat4 storm.

The Rockport Center for the Arts lost part of its roof causing major damages

to the interior and porch.

Plein Air Austin has organized an online sale to help our neighbors along the coast so they may continue serving their community with upcoming classes and shows. PAA artists have donated 100+ paintings to be sold for $100ea. The entire purchase price will be sent to the Rockport Center of the Arts to help them rebuild. This collection of original works will be exhibited now through September 30th at Joel's Coffee House.

breakfast | oil on panel | 6" x 6" |  Flanegan |  sold!

100% of this painting's purchase price benefited those devastated by merciless Hurricane/Tropical Storm Harvey - thank you Bennett.
Please help and pray for these families.

wings

the giving tree | acrylic on cradled panel | 6" x 6" |  Flanegan

Chocolates

"There is nothing better than a friend, unless it is a friend with chocolate."

Linda Grayson

I was asked to paint more chocolates. These minis are 3"x 3"x.75", quite fun as each one seemingly takes on a personality of it's own. This photo is from a previous post.

Chocolates (detail) wip | oil on panel | Flanegan

Speaking of chocolates, this duo was too adorable not to paint. The piece has been in my rotation for a couple of months now...sometimes paintings flow easily and other times not so much. There was no reference photo of these two posing together, but I love a challenge. You just need to have faith and don't give up.
:)

Neighborly

Neighborly (detail) wip | oil on panel | 12" x 16" |  Flanegan

This stand of trees was particularly striking to me with trunks saturated by a recent heavy rain. I'm not finished with it yet...it'll reveal what it needs soon enough...or should say not soon enough.
😋
Gracious, painting outdoors is harrrd. But those times when i get it right - as few as they may be - keep me going. Nothing good comes easy, right?

I see something beautiful and want to share it, but how best do I convey that? There are a bijillion options. Each one is like solving a mystery and i just need to persevere, which is why it's necessary for me to have a few paintings ongoing.

Mixing it up helps. Seeking refuge in the familiar and then getting back out there to be brave and tenacious, like a dog with a bone. So for now, it's back to my comfort zone, four-legged wonders.  :)

Caboose

Caboose | oil on panel | 12" x 12" |  Flanegan 

I must have set up and moved my easel four or five times...but I was determined to celebrate this beautiful day in paint...hanging out with some of my four-legged friends. Thumper says hi!

Newt Cute

"I believe in kindness.

Also in mischief."

Mary Oliver

Newt | oil on linen | 6" x 11" | commission

What's not to love here?

Miss Newt is the companion piece to Miss Ida.

cute cute.

They're my dear friend Judy's family and they were a delight to paint.

Ida | oil on linen | 11" x 6" | commission

one more day

Love is our true destiny.

We do not find the meaning of life by ourselves alone, we find it with another.

Thomas Merton

one more day | oil on panel | 6" x 6" | Flanegan 

This bouquet was given to me after a wedding rehearsal dinner. Isn't young love grand?

Then I got to thinking of other recent events celebrating love like my mother's birthday or the love for a friend who was taken away from us too soon or another friend's love for his family who lived a full and rewarding life - to whom no one was a stranger in his presence.

How powerful for Love to forever pulse within, thereby gracing us with more love to share with others.

Lila & Friends

You think dogs will not be in heaven? I tell you, they will be there long before any of us.

Robert Louis Stevenson

Lila Harvey | oil on linen panel | 10" x 8" | Flanegan | auction commission

Here's Miss Lila. She's the companion piece to brother Liam whom I posted earlier - two commissions inspired by a Divine Canines' silent auction.

Liam Harvey | oil on linen panel | 10" x 8" | Flanegan | auction commission 

toughgirl | charcoal on paper |17" x 14" | Flanegan

wait. I know that face...that I've-heard-enough-politics-for-today face.

hugs

I know for sure that love saves me and that it is here to save us all.

Maya Angelou

toughgirl, work in progress | charcoal on paper |17" x 14" | Flanegan 

When the work day is done, I enjoy catching up with friends or drawing my girl. Charcoal value studies refresh me between commissions and sharpen my painting skills. Smearing that black powder with my fingers onto fresh white paper is cathartic.

Mies

Less is more.

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

Mies | oil on panel | 8" x 8" | Flanegan | commission

This commissioned painting was a Christmas gift from a kind, generous soul to her
boss. And you guessed it, the cat's name was inspired by the German modernist architect, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.

Mies loves playing with his human's crazy sock collection...and I have a feeling this Mies prefers the philosophy of 'more is more.'

: )

Don't Mess with Texas Women

The presidency is supposed to age the president, not the public.

Jon Stewart

At long last I was able to download these photos! Ahhhh...the Austin Women's March.
What an incredible experience! My friends and I made buttons and t-shirts and as the sign above reads, we were 'Out of Our Feeds and Onto Our Feet.' Republicans, Independents and Democrats alike - exercising our 1st Amendment and standing firm
on human rights for all.

Marilyn Monroe (on The Paramount's balcony) and Hillary Clinton were there too.

The Goddess of Liberty atop the Texas State Capitol was smiling down at us - an estimated 50,000+! I believe the president has helped roust

a sleeping giant of a movement.

Liam

Liam Harvey | oil on panel | 10" x 8" | Flanegan | auction commission 

I discovered Divine Canines while visiting a friend in the hospital. They provide free dog therapy to those in need in the Central Texas area. I was so impressed with this wonderful organization that I donated my services to one of their fundraisers.

This charming southern gentleman, Liam, was featured in one of the two paintings inspired by the silent auction. Many thanks to the Harveys, Liam was a joy to paint.