"Dancehall Evening" - original figurative oil painting of two-steppers

This 7 x 5" oil painting on Ampersand Gessobord was a delight to paint.  There's nothing sweeter than a two-step and I think it's great that dancehalls are still going.  

I've somehow ended up with a bunch of 5 x 7" and a number of 6 x 6" panels so I've tasked myself with painting lots of these dancers, plus some tangos.  I guess I got a good buy on them. "Sale" is one of my very favorite words, so Hackberry Street Studio will be sporting a lot of these paintings!

Thanks for stopping by my blog!

 

New Year's Jive - original figurative oil painting

Starting 2020 off the right way, this little jive couple keeps the dance going on 6 x 8" Gessobord with lots of brushwork describing their energy.  Thanks so much for looking - and Happy New Year!

Jiver Twirl - original figurative painting of dancers

Just a couple of jivers having fun - oil on 8 x 8" canvas.  Hope you're having a great Thanksgiving!

Friday Jive - figurative painting of jive dancers

This piece is a lot looser than usual and was really really fun to paint - sort of threw caution to the wind with this one!  It's on 8 x 8" panel - thanks for stopping by!

More Jive - original figurative oil painting of dancers

It was fun working on this 8 x 8 x 1 1/2" canvas and although I already knew I'd love it, I did apply more gesso, which gave it a slight texture that made the surface even more exciting for paint application.  And with this depth of canvas, there's no need for a frame.  Those jivers - my BFFs!  Thanks for looking!

On My Easel - A Start on a Figurative Painting and A Charcoal Drawing of a Woman

Here are a couple of things I worked on today - the top, an 8 x 10" painting from my memory of a couple having a conversation in a restaurant.  Although I can't explain why, I was so excited about how the paint flowed from my brush - one of those moments when I feel truly connected to what's going on with the piece.  When I lost the feeling, I stopped and went on to something else.

Another of today's pieces - the drawing of the woman looking at the ball - maybe I should make it more dramatic than just a ball? - is really a sketch I did some time ago, but I added a few touches here and there.  Much fun - all in all a wonderful art day.  Also worked on a big charcoal drawing, which, when it's farther along, I will post.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Did y'all have a good art day? I hope so!😃

I Love Barrel Racing! - western figurative oil painting of horse and rider barrel racing

Here's a finished - and I hope - an improved version of the earlier post.   (Thank you Hilda!)  Barrel racing is a cross between grace and athleticism and - wow - the relationship between horse and rider is beautiful to behold!  There aren't ever enough participants at the rodeo, but I probably feel that way  because I could watch endlessly!  There will be more western paintings because I have sketches and photos from the rodeo and dances here (Junction, Texas) in August.  I painted this piece on 12 x 9" panel.  Thanks for looking!

Jivin' Up a Storm - original figurative oil painting of jive dancers

The little jivers are back and still at it - they keep coming back to show me what they can do and I love it!  This one is painted on 8 x 8" cradled panel.  I was a little looser this time, especially with the background and had a lot of fun with it.  We're gearing up for the rodeo here - the yearly event where I get lots of sketches and photos that I use in my artwork.  And this time, it's not supposed to be so terribly hot and may actually rain (well, I'll believe it when I see it) which doesn't happen too much around here.  Thanks for looking!

PS.  Click here to check out my oil pastel blog,

Wild Jive - original figurative oil painting

This painting is what listening to oldies will do for you - what a way to spend a couple of hours on Friday afternoon.  The music is from my workout playlist, so it's all pretty lively.  On 8 x 8" Gessobord.  Thanks for looking!

Seated in a Red Chair - original oil figurative painting

I love it when the model is on a break and takes a "pose" that's natural for her.  Then we can ask her to hold it while we paint - works out great for all of us!  This painting is on 8 x 8" canvas.  Thanks for looking!
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Lilia on the Bed - original figurative oil painting

 I love painting these little 6 x 6" panels and have a few on my easel to finish in the next few days.  Thanks for looking! 

Red Skirt Redux - original oil figurative painting

Sometimes I wonder what I was thinking - like when I originally posted Red Skirt.  Often when I return from a show/performance/drawing group, I don't include the atmosphere - like in the original of this painting.  I prefer working from my sketches rather than photos, but I need to pay more attention to the surroundings, not just the subject.  It's kind of difficult when caught up in the moment and trying to get everything down - but I must get back to making notes on the 'feeling' of the place.  So - here's a painting more like the way I saw the performance.  I darkened the background and now I'm much much happier with this piece.  It's on 16 x 12" panel.  Thanks for looking - and listening!

On My Easel - original oil figurative painting in progress

This painting is barely started and I should probably not even post it.  BUT, I have rediscovered Arches oil paper and a tablet of that paper gives me such freedom to work and not worry that the stretched canvas or gessoed panel I usually use HAS to turn into a masterpiece.  Such pressure!  This paper can be bonded to a panel and framed like an oil painting, which it is, of course.  I'm wondering if other artists are fans of this support.  It's also really good for oil pastel.
My favorite part of this start is the sofa - not a good prognosis, I fear.
Not too sure, yet, whether I'll even finish it, but anyway, it's fun to do - on 12 x 16" Arches - thanks for looking!

Weeknight Two-Step - original figurative oil painting

What a monster this site is tonight.  I keep posting and when I check the post, there are three or four copies of the painting.  I'm not quite that prolific a painter.  Anyway, this oil painting is done on 6 x 6" Gessobord panel.  Thanks for looking!

More Two-Step Sweet Talk - original figurative oil painting

I was just cruising around the internet, checking on Texas dancehalls, with nothing much in mind, and found several articles and ratings on these great places.  Click here to read about ten of them.
This painting is on 6x6" Gessobord.  Thanks for stopping by!

The Flapper Redux - original oil portrait painting

Here's what can happen to a painting that started out as something totally and completely different.  Check out The Flapper.  I can't really explain it, but I had much more fun with this version.  There are a few things to work on, but I'm essentially finished and now I'm moving on to a country dancers painting that I'm loving.  This piece is 10 x 10" on canvas.  Thanks for stopping by!

Smoky Tango - original figurative oil painting

Sort of a departure for me, this one - a little more abstract.  I think I left it pretty loose.

Above is a photo I took of my friend, Rosemary, who is a wonderful artist, after my demo at the Kerrville Art Club in Kerrville, Texas, on Tuesday.  She's helping me get my stuff out of the meeting room and back into my car.  It was a fun afternoon doing a charcoal drawing, which appears on the monitor in the background, and visiting with other artists!

This painting is 8 x 8" on gessoed panel - thanks so much for stopping by!

Redhead Tango - original figurative oil painting

Just for fun, I used slightly different dancers this time - he doesn't have his hat and his partner is a redhead.  I love the colors in red hair and those redheads who have a greenish tint - well not really green exactly, but a greenish undertone - are fascinating.  I LOVE painting them.  And I was so interested in the way she has her head turned while he plants a kiss on her cheek.  A devil to paint, but I enjoyed it.  This painting is 6 x 6" on gessoed board. Thanks for looking!

Red Skirt - original oil figurative painting

I've been seeing lots more variety in the attire of flamenco dancers, lately, and really like this trend. Seeing really good, emotional flamenco is such a wonderful experience - not to be missed!  Thanks for stopping by! 

Two-Step Sweet Talk - original oil figurative painting

Tonight they're two-stepping at Barney's and loving every minute.  I never tire of my little dancers, whether western, tango, or jive - I LOVE them all!  This was fun to do on 7 x 5" Gessobord.  Thanks so much for looking!