On My Easel - Woman at Table WIP

From a drawing I did a few months ago, I worked on this one today.  Lots of work to do, though, which I'll enjoy while I listen to a book by Charles Todd. one of the Inspector Rutledge mysteries, set after the First World War or Great War.  Do other artists like to paint in silence?  I did that for awhile today and it was really pleasant, but after a couple of hours decided I needed a change.  Should have made all my changes and finishing up tomorrow, so will maybe post my final painting - thanks for stopping by!

What I'm Working on Today - bar scene figurative oil painting

Working from a bar scene I saw a few evenings ago, this 9 x 12" painting is coming along fairly well.  I have so many sketches from that evening, though, that I may just do a tiny bit more on this and begin another one.  Much more fun that way, so maybe that's a plan.  Thanks for stopping by!

The Window - figurative oil painting

Just fooling around with a bit of a landscape and a girl in a black dress.  I'll no doubt do more to it - things to do - but I've enjoyed painting this one. Have been straightening my studio - what a mess!  When I get busy drawing or painting, I don't seem to notice the jumble of stuff, but when I'm through and take a look around, I'm pretty disgusted.  So for the next few days, I will just combine cleaning with my drawing endeavors and maybe someday, I'll adopt a "clean as I go" approach.  This painting is on 10 x 10" panel.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Favorite Thing - original oil figurative painting

This is the sort of thing I've painted many times - probably because I just love to settle in with a good book.  And I love painting on the square surface.  All around good fun for me.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

On My Easel - Tina's Album - oil pastel figurative

Even though it's a million miles from finished, I'm posting so it doesn't seem that I've dropped off the face of the Earth.  Actually, we were in far west Texas - Alpine, Marfa and Ft. Davis.  It was so nice and cool - loved it!  I did do some sketches of plants there, plus people, of course.  Much fun! This piece is on Colourfix paper and I used almost all Sennelier oil pastels.  It's 12 x 9".  Thanks for looking!

On My Easel - original oil pastel figurative in progress

This is a 9 x 12" oil pastel I worked on today - many, many refinements before I could possibly consider it finished - if it ever does get finished.  Once again, on this marvelous Colourfix paper that I'm loving to work on.  Thanks for looking!

Lady with a Fan - original oil pastel figurative

This oil pastel is on 7 x 5" Pastelbord.  Thanks for stopping by!

Lainie's Tea - original oil pastel figurative painting

A little experiment with totally blunt (unsharpened) oil pastels on 7 x 5" Pastelbord - just to keep me loose.  Much fun to do and although I see a lot of things I could improve upon, I'm just leaving it and moving on.  Tomorrow I am definitely and absolutely going to have my country dance painting finished, but it might be too wet to photograph.  Well, we'll see.  Thanks so much for visiting my blog!

The Model Takes a Break - original oil pastel figurative painting

This little piece is one I did while the model was waiting 'til break time was over.  It's on 7 x 5" Pastelbord and is another one I think will become a larger piece.  My previous post (The Model in a Dark Robe) is one that I have been painting as a larger work and it is SO different from the original.  When the larger painting is finished, I'll post it - or maybe I shouldn't, since it's taken such a different turn that it may look as if someone else did it.  Hmmm - don't know how that happens - oh well, thanks for stopping by!

WIP - Day's End - original oil pastel figurative painting in progress

This painting is sort of in limbo at the moment.  Will finish it in the next couple of days, I guess.  Things to do include toning down the acid green, carrying the pattern over the back and much better  (I hope) defining of the figure.  May include a pair of stilettos on the floor.  That can exhaust anybody - wearing them, I mean.  On 16 x 12" Pastelbord.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Woman at a Restaurant - original ink figurative drawing

Another line drawing - just fooling around with ink, 12 x 9" on Borden and Riley Paris paper for pens.  Today I participated in a photogravure printmaking class sponsored by the McNay Art Museum in conjunction with their photogravure exhibit.  We went to Hare and Hound Press for instruction - I will never master the intricacies of printmaking, but today was interesting and fun. 

Here's my print - maybe a little over wiped, but not too bad, I think.

Thanks for stopping by!

Matisse Attempt - original ink drawing after Matisse

Today I went to the Matisse exhibit at the San Antonio Museum of Art and it was just so interesting.  Here is a (pathetic, I know) attempt at that kind of art.  Now that I look at it, I realize how far from Matisse it is.  His work is more difficult than one would think - MUCH more - but it's kind of fun to try.  I bought an exhibition catalogue (of course) and a print of Embroidered Dark Blouse, plus a few tiny prints, two French song CDs, and I was waiting to look at some other prints being unpacked, but I thought 'I have to get out of here before I spend any more money!' - I love shopping at museums - so many delicious things.  My husband would probably say that I love shopping anywhere.  I drew this on 140lb cold press watercolor paper - thanks for stopping by!

A Solitary Evening - original oil pastel figurative painting

This 7 x 5" painting is on Pastelbord.  I'm just waiting for the sprinkler system to wind down - but if my calculations are correct, it will be another couple of hours before I can go to bed.  Next time I'll start it a lot earlier!  We had some rain here in central Texas last week, but it's really, really hot, so I'm back to watering.  Have been busy rearranging my studio and throwing away tons of stuff.  I want to start using my little press again and I have to put it in a more prominent place, so I'm reminded it's there.  Of course, what started out as something simple - with just one objective - has now mushroomed and there are many objectives.  When it's completed, though, I think I'll love it.  Will post pictures, but don't hold your breath - this is definitely going to take some time!  Thanks for stopping by!

Livy on a Sofa - original oil pastel figurative painting

A bit of fun on 8 x 10" Pastelbord - thanks so much for stopping by Hackberry Street Studio!

Woman at a Table - original ink and watersoluble crayon figurative drawing

I am thinking of painting a woman seated at a table and did this little preparatory sketch.  I really do love interiors and cozy rooms, so this little 6 x 4" on a cold press watercolor paper postcard may eventually lead to a painting.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Winter Evening - original oil figurative painting

I guess I painted this in reaction to the cold weather we've been having - even here in Texas, although I know it doesn't compare to the north and east of the country! 
Usually, I don't use so many warm colors, but again, I guess it was the need to feel warm and cozy.  Here's hoping we've seen the end of the cold.  This painting is 8 x 10" on archival canvas panel.  Thanks for stopping by!

Nude on a Red Tuffet - original oil pastel painting of a nude

Trying to get this done before my internet connection completely stops - 7 x 5" on Pastelbord.    Whew - done!  Thanks for visiting! Sold

"Cozy" - original ACEO oil pastel figurative painting

This tiny (3.5 x 2.5") piece is on Art Spectrum Colourfix ATC (Artist Trading Card) paper, the smallest version of their wonderful pastel paper.  It's wonderful for oil pastels, too.  I have this orange chair - my all time favorite - and it's so snug on a cold evening, plus perfect for models, as well - even when they didn't realize they were going to be models.  Working this small without sharpening my oil pastels forces me to be loose, which I hope will carry over to larger works.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Lexie Sleeping - original oil figurative painting

Sleeping poses are some of my favorites.  The model often does go to sleep, which makes it perfect for both of us.  The model dreams sweet dreams while I paint happily.   This painting is 10 x 8" on Gessobord.  Thanks for stopping by!

The Model's Tea - original oil figurative painting

Where have I been?  Experimenting.  Thinking of new ways of doing things - this is definitely not one of them, but maybe I'll share a few of my experiments next week or so.  They're not earthshaking or anything like that, and also not new techniques, but not the usual for me.  They're more me, though, than what I'm doing now. 
I painted this one while listening on audible.com to An Army at Dawn by Rick Atkinson.   Powerful!  And I especially love it because he reads the book himself on audible.  That doesn't always work, but it does here. 
Back to the painting it's 11 x 14" on archival canvas panel.  Thanks for looking!