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.


: )