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There are basically two types of people. People who accomplish things, and people who claim to have accomplished things. The first group is less crowded.
Mark Twain

whiskey tango foxtrot | oil on panel | 24" x 39" | Flanegan | commission

This painting, which began as a commission for a friend, grew in size and meaning to be a commission/gift combo for her and her husband. Somewhere along the way, it became a bit of a political commentary - you tell me what Thumper and company are thinking.

How could one not be affected by the presidential campaign? The pasture was painted during the September debate...I had no words for the performance, only brushstrokes. 

 May God give us the strength to unite as a nation no matter who is elected President.

Peanut and his Posse

Peanut and his Posse | oil on panel | 12" x 12" | Flanegan | $550

This painting stirred a memory of a TDY assignment at Lowry AFB, now the Denver International Airport, where a friend and I had the weekend off so we decided to head to the Rockies and climb a mountain. We were young.

One false peak lead to another and to another. We stopped for a breather and gasped looking at each other - our hair was standing on end. We were so focused on getting to the top of the mountain that we didn't realize a storm was brewing. Break time was over.

It was kind of like that when I painted this one, but safer as I had my truck for shelter. It's easy to lose yourself when surrounded by such beauty, this time at the Bar Ten Creek Ranch. The cloud formations were incredible with varied shades and intensities of stormy blue - so striking that I didn't paint the trees' foliage.

But I had to remind myself that as commanding as the clouds were, they weren't the main attraction here. My painted commentary was of companionship and feeling safe. That's what I wanted you to see in this painting. It amazed me how Peanut and his miniature donkey buds felt protected enough to sleep with a front moving in. How we all should have faith through thick and thin. So there you have it, it's all about hanging together during the storm.

Tomorrow I'll post my third favorite entry in the Plein Air Austin Exhibit.

: )

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

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!

Good Ol' Boy

11" x 14" (cropped) pastel on Strathmore paper


work in progress - stay tuned...

: )

three carrots

10" x 8" charcoal sketch on Strathmore paper

Diamond coming by for his mid-afternoon treat, he loves carrots. He's being featured for an upcoming show...stay tuned.

: )

Diamond in the studio

11" x 14" charcoal on Strathmore paper

Diamond checks-in throughout the day, poking his head in the studio doorway flaring his nostrils, sniffing out treats. This afternoon with the sun at his back he looked so angelic.

grazing in the sun

9" x 12" pastel on toned paper

A quick study for an upcoming commission.

My sketchbook is full of drawings that are more reminiscent of gesture scribbles than quick tonal studies, but I'm getting better at editing faster. Conte stick charcoal and pastels have proven to be more helpful than the pencils. And I get longer poses if I turn the horses out after breakfast as opposed to before dinner.

: )

wiseguy

11" x 14" charcoal

Wiseguy after his breakfast, before his nap.

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After reading a few of your comments I thought it suitable to elaborate.

This sweet old boy was a rescue. One of his previous owners had neglected to remove an undersized halter when he was younger which left a permanent indentation on his nose...which I chose to edit out. He has a residual look of fear or mistrust in his eye that surfaces from time to time that this drawing conveys.

Of the three, Wiseguy is the one who most enjoys his daily grooming and watering down in the summer heat. If we haven't brushed down or hosed off the right spot, he kindly reminds us by backing up or turning around in circles. An incredible soul.