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. :)

Red Bud Rendezvous

Rendezvous | 8" x 16" oil on cradled wood panel in floating frame | Flanegan | $475

9 Dec: Given the photo above, I felt the need to include a detail shot with a better, more accurate representation of the color. Documenting this painting was a circus - glare issues and cool/bad light sources - a 43-shot opportunity for learning - yikes.

Rendezvous | detail 

Observing the crew's practice on Lady Bird Lake while painting, many memories came flooding back to me. I didn't row in college, but took a class when I moved to Austin. My co-worker became my rowing partner for many years. We, along with our other crew mates, did quite well in competing at Masters National and FISA Masters World regattas.

Rowing to Red Bud Island was my favorite workout. Surrounded by natural beauty, practice was more like a meditation in a single scull - the majestic cliffs on the south shore, the glimpses of wildlife and the sound of the water lapping the side of the boat with each stroke.

The dynamic between coach and athlete is a very special yet curious one. This detail reminded me of the times we'd take a water break and get feedback on rowing technique from our coach in the launch. The critique wasn't always pretty, but it was what we needed to hear. I cherish those times - many, many thanks to Maureen, Dave and Charles for their wit, wisdom and patience.

'Red Bud Rendezvous' will be included in the Plein Air Austin Exhibit at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport from 11 Dec - 23 Mar. The West Airside Gallery is by Book People across from Gate 11 and 12. So no gallery opening this time but if you're traveling through ABIA soon and have time between flights, enjoy!

Thank you Johnnie and Matt for making this show happen!

River Flowing Through Us_4

29" x 29" acrylic on blended wood panel

This piece celebrates the early morning row. On the water at o'dark thirty but by the end of your workout getting to watch the sunrise, silhouetting the trees and shimmering the water. An incredible way to start your day.

"I have always been delighted of the prospect of a new day...with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning."    - Joseph Priestly

River Flowing Through Us_3

29" x 29" acrylic on blended wood panel

At long last, the completed work. (top photo)


Since last Fall this piece has been constructed, deconstructed, sawn, sanded, reconstructed, dismantled again, then sawn and sanded again - got a bit carried away with the table saw.


What a study of color compatibilites, some sing while others fall flat. Always a mystery to me, though you know what works when you see it. Impressionist painter Claude Monet has been quoted as saying, "Colour is my daylong obsession, my joy and my torture."


The final direction reassembled the cut wood strips to create two blended panels, one shown above and the sister piece to be posted soon.

River Flowing Through Us

24" x 24", blended wood panel


Checking-in on one of my favorite art blogs, Barbara Muir Paints, has become a daily ritual. Her writings are as positive and uplifting as her beautifully expressive drawings and paintings. Barbara is acutely aware and thankful of the many gifts surrounding her…and that mindset is wonderfully potent and contagious.

We’re all blessed. The ordinary, in reality, is extraordinary. The simple, yet priceless moments with family and friends are what I cherish most…like when my Pearce, creative and rowing buds were there for me at my opening last Friday night, so incredible.

This weekend we’ll be supporting our friends via live webcast at the Head of the Charles…the rock star all regattas in my book. Austin Rowing Club has 34 rowers competing in Boston today and tomorrow. so awesome.

This work-in-progress was inspired by my crewmates, who are about to cash in on months of dedicated training. Bright and talented women all connected by the river.

: )

ripple effect

"Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves."

- James. M. Barrie



I had a few pieces of spalted pecan left over from a previous project. One in particular caught my eye as the wood grain resembled the ripples left on the water by a rower paddling the river.

Yesterday, a young lady from our crew left Austin for grad school in upstate New York. Beautiful, talented and witty...a true pleasure to be around. She quietly influenced many in a wonderful way. As happy as I am for those moving on to their next big adventure, I selfishly don't like good-byes.

So Miss Amy I will say...Later, Cupcake! We'll see you on the water.