Happy and Well-Red

The fabulous {artist, teacher and blogger} Barbara Muir recently wrote a post entitled, "10 More Reasons to be Happy" and I wanted to spread the joy.

: )

Did someone say joy?
The above photo is my Red who was lapping up the culture in Sunday's New York Times...much to the dismay of Edgar Degas' Head of a Man. Below is a painting of
sweet Maya who jumps straight up (all fours) when she's happy, she really does!

Maya | 8" x 10" oil on wood panel | Flanegan | commission

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!

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!

the Sunday night blues

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

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.

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.


: )

happy birthday to me!

charcoal on Strathmore paper

Jack will be 13 tomorrow. He's thrilled as you can see here! We're celebrating with walks and treats and a swim...like almost every other day.

: )

I'm painting a series of skyscapes and charcoal sketches really get me limbered-up for the range of values needed. Artist Laurel Daniel is exceptional in capturing the subtleties and contrasts in her landscapes.

jack nesting

9" x 12" charcoal

Jack was my first pup.

I found him in my Christmas stocking, given to me by my friend Shannon and a few coworkers. He's got the body of a lab with doberman markings - only with floppy ears and a wagging tail.

On 24 September he'll be thirteen years young - 91 for you and me - slowing down, but loyal as can be.