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!

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!

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! 

Sweet Tea - original oil portrait painting

Ahhh - sweet tea - the elixir of the South.  Has to be just right - no harshness - never ever boiled even for a second.  But it does have to have a real "tea" taste and be sweet - but not too sweet.  Sounds crazy, I know, but it has to taste just right and you know when it does.  Reminds me of that Jackie Mason routine.  This piece is part life and part photo - sometimes you gotta use photos - 10 x 10" on gessoed panel.  Thanks for looking!

Seated Model - original oil figurative painting

I finally got around to finishing this painting.  Not totally satisfied - always like the sketch better, but at least it's done.  It's almost as if I've been on vacation from my blog - and I have, sort of.  But always sketching and trying new things, such as some gorgeous aqua-colored paper, that was SUCH a disappointment to me; at least, a disappointment in the way I had intended to use it.  So, am exploring other ways to make it work.  This piece is on 14 x 11" Fredrix paint board.  Thanks for stopping by!

Grace - original oil portait painting

This portrait was done on Arches paper for oil paints, which is just super!  I love the way it accepts the paint and is also wonderful for oil pastel.  It's about 14 x 14" - I started it from life, but the model had to leave, so I finished from a photo.  Although I'm a real fan of painting the live model, you do what you have to do.  Thanks so much for stopping by! Sold

On My Easel - Listening to the Blues - original oil figurative work in progress

This painting that I'm working on is based on my drawing of a model holding a wineglass.  There's much work to be done, I know, but it's sort of taking on a bit of a life of its own, which can be good.  I hope it's going to be a success - right now, it's so wet I can't tell a lot about it and I really won't know 'til it's finished.  That's the thing, or one of the things about making art, you just don't know whether a painting is going to be good or not 'til it's done.  And there's all that time and effort and emotion - well, I could go on and on - but you probably know what I mean - and it's so discouraging if it's a flop.  In that case - and I have a lot of those cases - it's good if there's a lesson in there somewhere so that whatever went wrong doesn't do that again.  So next time something else can go wrong, instead!  Do I sound negative? sorry  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!

On My Easel - Ballet Dancer - original oil figurative painting in progress

So much work to do here, and in the end, I may just toss it.  But even if it doesn't survive, I will have learned a lot.  This is from a drawing - really a gesture drawing, but maybe that'll be all I'll need.  The background in the sketch was just an indication of what was in the studio where we were drawing.  I may lose the pink in the background or really really tone it down.   On 12 x 9" panel.  Thanks so much for stopping by! Sold

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!

On My Easel - A Good Book and a Glass of Wine - original oil figurative painting

Many changes need to be made, but I'm going to just let it sit for awhile.  Of course, the model's gone, so this will be an interesting project.  Maybe I can corral someone to pose with a book and a glass of wine.  There are worse things.  It's 14 x 11" on stretched canvas.  Thank you for stopping by!

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!

The Mandolin Player - original figurative oil painting

 

Although I'm not really finished with this painting, I just decided to go ahead and post it tonight.  It's on a 12 x 16" archival canvas board.   I'm going to make some changes, but I just don't know what they'll be, yet.  Sometimes, if I just forget about a painting, then weeks later, I'll pass by it and think 'oh yeah, I know just what it needs'.  The back burner is the place to put things when I need to figure out what should be done.  We'll see if it works this time.  Thanks for stopping by Hackberry Street Studio!

Flowered Shawl - original oil painting of a nude

Much fun with this painting - it's really the way I like to use oil paint, since covering the canvas completely, and covering up  my lines isn't something I particularly enjoy.  This model was a delight to draw/paint - these were quick poses, so there wasn't much time to noodle and I adore that way of working.  The support here is 14 x 11" stretched canvas from Hobby Lobby - one of my faves!  Thanks so much for stopping by!

On My Easel - Stick Oil Paint Nude

This painting, which I'm doing with oil sticks; yes, those really juicy - but tough to get details with - oil sticks (but they certainly encourage painting in a loose manner). I am really enjoying working on this painting and will probably pull out the painting knives.  I've used mostly R&F Pigment Sticks, which I think are the kings of the oil stick world.   My drawing Sketch for Josie on the Sofa is the inspiration for this one. 
If you have a chance, stop by my oil pastel blog  to see what's going on there.  Thank you so much for visiting Hackberry Street Studio!

Waiting Again - original oil figurative painting

You can probably tell that this is quickly done, and although I did it with brushes rather than paint sticks, it's pretty juicy.  Painted while listening to a mystery - love mysteries, love painting - an altogether great day - I hope your day was a good one, too!  It's 6 x 6" on Gessobord.  Check out my oil pastel blog.

The Model Looking Up - original oil portrait painting

For this one, I perched on a stool, looked down at the model as she sat on floor pillows, and painted fairly quickly, which is why - from the chin down - it's pretty sketchy.  It was a difficult pose for the model to hold and I was trying to make it as easy as possible for her.  This painting is on 10 x 8" linen on board.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Mother and Child II - original oil portrait painting

This is a redo of an earlier Mother and Child and is 10 x 8" on gessoed board.  Thanks so much for looking! Sold

WIP Portrait of Sue - original oil portrait in progress

This isn't finished, obviously, but it's off to a pretty good start and will be completed in the next day or so.  When somebody comes to my house for a visit, I'm always so thrilled when they're willing to pose for me!  Thanks for looking!