Woman with a Fan III - original oil figurative painting

I've been working on several things today - especially since I've decided to spend 5 to 6 hours a day on art.  Without getting distracted!!!  Such a noble ambition, I hope I can accomplish it!  Always the good intentions, then - a phone call, something in the garden, nice weather - a million excuses.  This painting is 20 x 16".  Thanks for stopping by!

Dancers at the Winery - original oil figurative paintings

Here are some of my dancers on the wall at Junction Rivers Winery in Junction, Texas.  It's a not-to-be-missed place for wine (of course), bistro food, gifts, and conversation in my hometown on the Llano River. 
I hope everyone's having an enchanting Christmas Eve and looking forward to a joyful Christmas Day!  Thanks so much for stopping by - and Merry Christmas!

On My Easel - original oil figurative in progress

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and lots of turkey and dressing (plus cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, green beans, mashed potatoes, fruit salad, pies of all kinds - Thanksgiving's my all time favorite meal)!  Nothing like being with family to celebrate our good fortune - my wish for all of you!
Here's something I've scraped down twice, but now maybe it's on its way - on 8 x 10" Pastelbord.  Much more work to be done, though.  Thanks for looking!

A Chat at the Bistro - original oil pastel figurative painting

She likes to talk.  He's willing to listen.  An unbeatable combination!  I used wonderful Pastelbord - 8 x 10".  Thanks for visiting - give my oil pastel blog a look!

Embroidering - original oil figurative painting

I still have the first embroidery I ever did - and I think it may have also been my last.  I'm always thinking I'll get started in a serious way with this beautiful craft, but something always comes up.  One of these days, though!   This painting is on gessoed panel.  Thanks so much for looking!

Woman on a Sofa ACEO - original oil pastel figurative ACEO

I had been working on a charcoal dancer drawing and was going to show the drawing's progress on my blog, but I got distracted somehow.  And the next thing I knew, I was working on this 2.5 x 3.5" piece.  These are so much fun to do - no pressure - simply cut loose and see what happens.  This little painting is done on illustration board.  Thanks for stopping by!

Sketch for Josie on the Sofa - original charcoal drawing of a nude

This is another life drawing from my stash of nudes - Josie was the model for this one, which is drawn with vine charcoal on 11 x 14" Strathmore drawing paper.  I plan to do a painting based on the drawing.
While I was working today, I listened (via audible.com) to another Chet and Bernie mystery, To Fetch A Thief.  This series is 'written' by Chet, the dog, and it's so delightful.  There were times when I laughed out loud.  If you're a dog lover, try this series about private detective Bernie Little and his dog Chet.  Can't wait for tomorrow's 'installment'.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Reading the Menu - original oil pastel figurative painting

This oil pastel painting is 5 x 7" on Pastelbord.  I went a little crazy with the orange.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Dressing Table- original oil pastel figurative painting

Here's a 9 x 12" on Colourfix paper work in progress - one of my experiments based on a charcoal drawing from about three months ago.   Thanks for looking!

Another Evening at the Bistro - original oil figurative painting

I hope everyone had a great Fourth!  Most places in this part of the world nixed the fireworks display because of the wildfire danger, but we had one here in Junction.  I watched from my back porch - it was actually down at the city park on the Llano River - but still a good view and the show was really fine!
This painting is on 8 x 10" archival canvas board.  Thanks so much for stopping by! 

Waiting at the Bar - original oil figurative painting

She kept glancing toward the door.  As I was leaving, I passed the guy she was waiting for and - nosy me - when I looked back, she had a smile on her face and her eyes were fixed on him.  I'm always happy when these little stories end well.  This painting is on 10 x 8" archival canvas board.  Thanks so much for stopping by! Sold

Solitaire - original oil figurative painting

I play solitaire pretty often so maybe that's why painting someone playing the game appeals to me.  It's a no win - or seldom win - game.  In fact, I read the other day that a player only wins one out of 31 times.  Terrible odds, but I keep at it.  I even have a book on the different types of solitaire.  I play Klondike, which is the kind my grandmother taught me and from what I can tell, it's the one most people play.
This painting is on 7 x 5" Gessobord.  Thanks for visiting Hackberry Street Studio!

Ginny Again - original oil figurative painting

This is another Ginny pose.  It's on 14 x 11" archival canvas board.  Hope everyone survived Friday the 13th.  We had phone and internet outages all over the area today, 'til late tonight, but FINALLY we're back in business!  Have a great weekend - thanks for stopping by!

Another Couple at the Bistro - original oil figurative painting

I just love the blues that decorate this little establishment - juxtaposing warm and cool of any hue is thrilling to me and it's probably why I've always loved this place.  Plus there are always plenty of people to observe - and then paint.  I'm sort of a gossip in paint.  Instead of saying "you should have seen so-and-so at such-and-such a place", I just paint them.  But you're safe!  In almost all cases, I don't know my subjects and only make teeny little sketches - maybe just a turn of head that's hard to remember otherwise.  I do just a few lines, more akin to a gesture than a full-fledged sketch, and then I make them 'my people', anyway.
This one is 5 x 7" on Gessobord.  Thanks for stopping by!  Sold

Donna's Red Dress - original oil figurative painting

I guess I have a thing for fans and screens and this time, used a square format on stretched canvas.  Thanks so much for dropping by.  Speaking of fans, I'm going to go sprawl out under a ceiling fan - we've had another scorcher today and at 10 p.m., it's still 88 degrees!   Sold

Another Snooze - original oil figurative painting

She's taking a little break from her book. This is such a favorite thing for me - read a little, sleep a little. Ahhhhhh. It's 8 x 8" on Gessobord. Thanks for looking!

Another Bar - original oil pastel figurative painting

Here's something that I posted on The Oil Pastel Review, which is my oil pastel only blog, a few posts back and now I think it's finished - more or less. Nothing is ever finished, really, but things do sometimes come close. It's on 16 x 20" Pastelbord and is one in my ongoing series of bar scenes.

By the way, do check out the nude sketch I did on OPR using Sennelier Nature oil pastels.

Thanks so much for stopping by Hackberry Street Studio - it's always great seeing you here!

Cezannesque - original figurative oil painting

I saw this artwork - which was probably a Cezanne poster since I did see a little printing on it - in a coffee shop. I loved it and was able to sketch the scene with some Caran d'Ache wax crayons - that are wonderful, by the way. Then I painted from my sketch back in my studio. It was pretty involved to get an accurate drawing of this artwork. My painting is on 6 x 6" Gessobord. Thanks so much for stopping by!  Sold

Lisa Sleeping - original oil figurative painting

I loved painting this one, but initially I wanted to be less "above" the model. It worked out though, and it was a quick little "brushy"painting, too. It's always rewarding when you just go with it and don't think too much. Thinking

can be a killer. This painting is 6 x 6" on Gessobord - thanks so much for stopping by my blog!

New Year's Eve at the Bar - original oil figurative painting

If  you're anywhere near San Antonio, Texas, be sure and visit the McNay.  It's wonderful anytime, but until January 16th, the exhibition, Landscapes from the Age of Impressionism is there and what a show it is!  Absolutely wonderful and inspiring.  I attended briefly the other day, but intend to go back and take my time.
This painting is 8 x 10" on Gessobord.  Thanks so much for stopping by and for visiting Hackberry Street Studio during 2010!   I hope 2011 will be the greatest year yet for you!                                  

                                                  HAPPY NEW YEAR!