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.