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. :)

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!

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.