Martha - original oil pastel portrait sketch by Connie Chadwell

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This is a sketch that I did of a young woman whose portrait I painted in oil. Sometimes I do extra drawings if the subject is willing to pose - I do them quickly so the sitter doesn't get too tired. It's really hard to pose, which I've found out by having to fill in if the model for a drawing session doesn't show. Then we all take turns. It's tough!

After I finished the drawing, or at least after the model had left, I used some oil pastel medium on the piece to give it a smoother look. That's rare for me to do, but I was just experimenting.

On Colourfix paper, this drawing is 12 x 9". Thanks for stopping by!

Another Lady with a Fan - original oil pastel figurative painting by Connie Chadwell

This painting is from another of the drawings that I did of the dancers in San Antonio. It's 7 x 5" on Pastelbord. Even though I do occasionally use my oil pastel sharpener, it's a challenge to work on small paintings with an unsharpened oil pastel. It forces me to work loose.

The weather is so wonderful here in Texas - at least for now - that it's hard to do anything but stay outdoors. My flower beds received most of my attention today and although I have lots of paintings in various stages, the roses kept calling me. Maybe tomorrow I'll do some more painting. And again, maybe not.

Thanks for stopping by!

Music Lovers - original oil figurative painting by Connie Chadwell

I've had this painting in my head for awhile and today I finally got it done - or 'got 'er done' - as they say in these parts. I'm happy because I think it expresses the emotion I was seeking.

It's 6 x 6" on Gessobord.

Thank you for visiting my blog!

Attitude - original oil figurative painting by Connie Chadwell

This painting was done on a stretched canvas - 12 x 18" - that I think would normally be used for a landscape and I did plan to do that. But there was a model I wanted to paint, so the landscape will have to wait. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog.

Lady with a Fan - original oil pastel figurative painting by Connie Chadwell

I was in San Antonio last week and struck the artist's version of gold when I saw some dancers before they began their performance. I was able to do lots of gesture drawings that I will be turning into oil and oil pastel paintings. And then there was the dancing that followed - absolutely gorgeous - so I'm well supplied with drawings!

This painting is 7 x 5" on Pastelbord. Thanks so much for visiting my blog!

Secret Smile - original oil portrait by Connie Chadwell

I love profiles because they seem to capture the model in a private, reflective moment.

This painting is 6 x 6" on gessoed panel.

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Torchsinger II - original oil pastel figurative painting

I was in an oil pastel mood today and am always fascinated by the emotion of the "torch singers" of years past - hence today's painting. Although I will probably do another - probably larger - painting of this in oil, I loved doing the oil pastel.

On Colourfix paper, it's about 12 x 9".

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Folk Dancer - original charcoal figurative drawing

I was watching a group of dancers from Central America and this enthusiastic young lady was in front of me - she put her soul into her dancing and it was wonderful to watch.  I did a quick gesture drawing and continued with this drawing even though she only held this position briefly.  I was forced to remember the pose even though the model had moved on - a great drawing exercise.  And not too bad for helping my memory, either.   It's 8 x 6" on charcoal paper.  Thanks for stopping by!

Thank you for visiting my blog!

Flamenco Rhythm - original oil figurative painting

Flamenco - another Latin dance I love - really wonderful when the stomping is fast (I think it's called 'buleria'). Anyway, it's exciting to see and hear. This painting is 10 x 8" on linen panel. Thanks for visiting my blog!

A Little Melody - original oil figurative painting

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Today's painting was done on a new support that I've found to be so delicious - single primed linen on panel. I love the way the brush drags across the surface, much like charcoal on toothy paper. Anything that feels like drawing appeals to me.

I did 'A Little Melody' from my drawing, although I also tried to take a photo of the model. It was too dark - couldn't make out anything. (I must be the worst photographer ever!) That's my piano, where I learned to play as a child, or tried, anyway.

The painting is 10 x 8". Thank you for visiting my blog.

Tango Fever - original oil figurative painting

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Ah, tango - the passion, the elegance - I never tire of it. I keep working to truly capture on board or canvas what I feel about this dance.

This painting is 8 x 6" - canvas on panel. Thank you for stopping by.

Girl with Chair - original oil figurative painting

In this study, I was searching for a pose for the child to take and she just slung her arm over the back of the chair. Maybe I'll use this for the larger painting that I will be doing. Most of the time, I find that children - and adults, too - will take a pose that's natural for them and is perfect for their portrait. This one is 7 x 5" on panel. Thanks for stopping by! SOLD

"Tango Lovers Again" - original oil figurative painting

My favorite subject - the romance of tango. This painting is 7 x 5" on gessoed panel. Thanks for stopping by! SOLD

"Beginnings" - original oil figurative painting

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She was all business as she began what was to be her sand construction. Nothing distracted her - may she always have that quality!

This painting is one that I did from a quick drawing, plus, as is almost always the case with children, a photo.

Oil on panel, it's 7 x 5".

Thanks for stopping by!

My apologies to subscribers, as I changed some of the foreshortening a little - hope you didn't get multiple emails!

Mrs. Grayson's Tea - original oil portrait painting

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This painting is 16 x 12" on canvas on board. It's the one that won a second in oil in the exhibit that I mentioned a couple of postings ago.

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Letting Go - original oil figurative painting

This little girl spent more time watching her balloon than she did playing with the other children at the party. I was really surprised when she let it go. She stood transfixed as she saw it drift over the treetops and off into the distance. I watched it, too.

Oil on panel, this painting is 7 x 5". Thanks so much for stopping by!

The Japanese Screens - original oil pastel figurative painting

NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS

My drawing of "The Artisan"
a previous post on this blog, was awarded Best of Show at the Kerrville Art Club juried show in Kerrville, Texas! So, if you're passing through the area, drop by the Kerr Arts and Cultural Center to see the show. It was juried by Linda Hammond and I'm very flattered that such an accomplished artist chose my works for prizes.

I also won second place in oil painting and the oil pastel pictured here won a third prize in pastel.

Since I've been recuperating from surgery the past several days, these awards are especially sweet!

This painting is 9 x 12" on Colourfix paper. Thanks for stopping by!

Hot Tango - original oil figurative painting

I've hesitated to post this painting because it is similar to another one I did recently, just smaller. But I really love this little painting - it's looser and more juicy than I usually do. Note to me - don't strive for precision, or what passes for precision with me, just let go. It's 7 x 5" on gessoed board.

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Another Tango Ballroom - original oil figurative painting

This painting is 8 x 8" on board. Thanks for looking! SOLD

Valentines - original oil pastel figurative painting

This oil pastel on Pastelbord is 7 x 5". I loved doing this one and am very happy you stopped by! SOLD

Cafe Sketch - original oil pastel drawing

This drawing is one of several cafe scenes that I will probably use in a painting. People watching is such fun! On black Stonehenge, this one is about 7 x 6". Thanks for looking.

More Tango Passion - original oil figurative painting

And now back to tango.

For some reason - I think because I took the picture early this morning with available light, (I usually take pictures under lights) it doesn't appear as gold in the background as it really is. Anyway, this painting is 7 x 5", oil on board. Thanks for stopping by! SOLD

Evening - original oil figurative painting

Busy with short trips and other things - and daydreaming about plants for my summer garden - posting just seems to have taken a back seat. And after all my promises to myself that I would post faithfully every day! I do have a number of things on my easel, but not much is finished. This painting is 10 x 8" on board. Thanks for stopping by! SOLD

The Artisan - original charcoal portrait drawing

This drawing was done in a 20 minute session today - we were very lucky to have this excellent model and he's a new one, too! I'm such a fan of drawing from life in short poses, anywhere from one to twenty minutes, to keep drawings fresh and unlabored. At least I feel it works for me. On Strathmore 400 drawing paper, this vine charcoal drawing is 24 x 18".

Thanks for stopping by my blog!

The Model's Braid - original charcoal figurative drawing

I'm having a field day with the new paper I bought, plus my trusty charcoal (both vine and pencil). I have read that one is either a line person or a shape person. Right now, line is my true love. This drawing is 5 x 5" on Strathmore bristol.

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Black and White Tango - original figurative charcoal drawing

This drawing is charcoal on 5 x 5" bristol board. I love the way vine charcoal just sits on top of bristol board. The drawing was done quickly and I will probably use it as a model for a tango painting. Thanks for looking.

Alyssa's Back - original oil nude painting

One of my intentions for the New Year is a commitment to more regular blog postings. So in that vein - here is a painting, still so wet that it's difficult to photograph - 10 x 8" on board. Thanks for stopping by!

Teamwork - original oil western figurative painting

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Every now and then, cowboys - 11 x 14" oil on canvas on panel.

Fixing Her Hair - original oil figurative painting

Happy New Year to all my blog readers. A special THANK YOU to all of you who have supported my art during the past year!

This oil painting is 7 x 5" on board. Thanks so much for stopping by.

Red Hat - original oil pastel portrait

This portrait was done quickly, without much attention to detail - just sort of an impression of what I saw. I left the oil pastel thick and rough - no smoothing allowed here - the way I like it. On Pastelbord, it's 5 x 7". Thanks for looking! SOLD