Mandy's Blue Mirror - original oil pastel figurative drawing by Connie Chadwell

I finished this painting yesterday at my Thursday Painters' group. It's one of those things that's around for a week or so and the decision hasn't been made as to whether it's finally completed. My dilemma was whether to use the background that was in the setup, plus whether I should put in all the detail that was in her dress. I know one should work on the whole painting simultaneously, but in this instance, I was just stumped.

In the end, I decided just to use the Colourfix paper in the Deep Black color as background and call it 'finished'. After all, that's why I buy this paper - it's really, really black and has the most marvelous tooth, so I thought I would use what I adore about this surface as the background for Mandy.

This piece, which I totally loved doing - I think because it hovers between a drawing and a painting - is on 12 x 9" paper.

Thanks so much for stopping by! SOLD

The Young Violinist - original oil pastel portrait by Connie Chadwell

It is SO cold here - we'll have a miserable 19 degrees in the Texas Hill Country tonight!

Today I drove from the Austin area to my home in Junction and it actually snowed. It was lovely, but more of a dusting of white than a real snowstorm.

I love to paint people playing their musical instruments and the violin is one of my all-time favorites. I took piano lessons for years, but never attempted the violin. Maybe my mother had had enough of trying to get me to practice the piano, so I wasn't encouraged to pursue yet another instrument. Now, though, I'm working on the harmonica. Fun! I have lots of drawings of bass violinists, guitarists and other musicians that I'll paint and post one of these days.

This piece has lots of oil pastel on Pastelbord, 5 x 7" - I really piled it on (as usual) because this board can take it.

So nice of you to drop by my studio - it's great to see you here! SOLD

Delia Again - original acrylic nude painting by Connie Chadwell

Today's posting was painted from one of my life drawings. Since I wanted to paint quickly, I set my timer, turned on the thriller I'm currently listening to while I work, and in a few seconds, was totally engrossed in the protagonist's latest frightening situation. Involved as I was in that scary stuff and having completely forgotten about the timer, I almost freaked when it went off. So glad nobody was there to see that!

Every now and then, I like to get my acrylics out and get to work - I like that it dries so quickly and somehow, I just feel freer when I paint with acrylic. For me, it's as much a drawing medium as a painting one. I've had to explain that idea more than once when I've submitted an acrylic drawing to a juried show.

This "Delia" is 12 x 9" on board. I love it that you stopped by my blog - thank you so much! SOLD

Portrait of a Bailaora - original oil pastel portrait by Connie Chadwell

I could have entitled it 'Female Flamenco Dancer', but the Spanish sounded so much better.

What an evening! My USB ports quit working, so I had an interesting time getting the photo on my laptop. Then my laptop quit on me for about ten minutes. I'll bet I get to know the Toshiba customer service people really well in the morning.

Back to my posting - it was a quick one and small - 5 x 7" on Pastelbord. I could have done a larger one and taken more time, since she held the pose awhile, but I just wanted to get the essentials down.

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! I was going to post a picture of family and friends at the table on Turkey Day, but got all involved in visiting and completely forgot.

Thank you for stopping by Hackberry Street Studio!

Another Tango Fever - original oil figurative painting by Connie Chadwell

In the painting posted today, I started out with a notion of what it would be, but then she laid her head on his shoulder and I took it from there. It's 7 x 5" on gessoed panel.

Today's other challenge was working on a scene from a sports bar, which I will probably post in a few days. Love those bars! Thanks for visiting Hackberry Street Studio.

Lisa as Aphrodite - original oil pastel nude sketch by Connie Chadwell

The model just took this pose so naturally and it reminded me of some of the Aphrodite statues I've seen. Once upon a time, I drew and painted lots of Aphrodite-type pieces and still have a fondness for them. This one is on gritty and wonderful Art Spectrum Colourfix paper - 12 x 9". I find the surface of this paper just luscious for an oil pastelist. Some of the painting can be brought to a more finished appearance and some can be left less so. Works for me. Or at least I think it does.

Thanks for visiting my blog.

Tango Mood II - original oil figurative painting by Connie Chadwell

Today I spent working on a few tango paintings for blog and gallery, and in addition, a cowboy painting for an upcoming art club show. Two days ago, I did a western painting that I really liked but, foolish creature that I am, I put it on the floor, leaning against the door facing of the doorway from the studio out to the main room. That evening, as I was leaving the studio, I thought to myself 'no need to turn on the the light in the main room because hey - I certainly know the way out to the porch'. Hmmm, well, apparently I didn't, because I planted my foot right through the painting. Sigh. Nothing to do but paint another one and hope I like it as well as the first, but I don't think I will. There's just something spontaneous and free about the first one and this painting is kind of stiff. Probably I'm trying too hard. Oh well. Maybe now I'll keep my paintings off the floor - there are better places for them to dry!

Today's tango painting - tangos are always fun for me - is 7 x 5" on gessoed panel.Thanks for stopping by and listening to my tale of woe. Just kidding. But not about visiting Hackberry Street Studio - I'm really glad to see you here! (Now I've changed it again - an artist's work is never done.)

Nude on a Green Chair - original oil painting by Connie Chadwell

I promise - this is the last time I'll do a painting from this pose. I really love it, but all things must eventually end. The painting is on 8 x 8" gessoed panel. Thanks so much for visiting my blog! Sold

Alone Again - original oil figurative painting by Connie Chadwell

While I love watching the guys and gals at the bar, seeing someone sitting alone always catches my eye. This is painted on 8 x 6" linen panel.

I'm sitting here at my keyboard, typing with one hand and throwing the ball for Roger, my assistant, with the other. It's a slow operation. We're all snug inside because we'll have some freezing weather tonight. I'm such a sissy about cold weather. Give me 105 degrees anytime, but br-r-r-r, I don't like the cold. Somehow I managed to adapt to all the years in Washington D.C. - even though it's not really cold there by northern standards - but I've gotten spoiled down here in the southwest and I love our sizzling summers.

But I guess they're gone for awhile, so I'd better go bring in my lemon tree, ficus, geraniums and probably a few more things. It'll be crowded in the kitchen tonight.

Thanks for stopping by! Sold

Catching Some Rays - original oil figurative painting by Connie Chadwell

This is a just for fun painting and done very quickly. It's painted from a drawing I did from life - I gave myself a limited amount of time to finish it and when that timer went off, that was the end of the session. I really wanted to fiddle with it here and there, but restrained myself. Whew! Self-control is really tough!

It's 6 x 6" on Gessobord. Thanks for looking! Sold

Kathy's Homework - original charcoal portrait sketch by Connie Chadwell

Happy is the portrait/figure artist who has a real live person to draw! This young girl was involved in her homework - cozy in a wingback chair, with her notebook balanced on her knees, oblivious to the artist lurking to her side. Although she was occupied, I still didn't have time for much detail, but was delighted for even this small opportunity.

Most of my day was spent finishing some paintings, all of which are too wet for photos, so I was really glad to have this drawing to post. It's 14 x 11" on Stonehenge drawing paper. Thank you for stopping by!

The Menu - original oil pastel figurative sketch by Connie Chadwell

The couple studied the menu for quite awhile. Very intent on getting just the right dish, I think. This 9 x 12" painting is on Art Spectrum Colourfix paper in black. It has this wonderfully gritty finish that is difficult to cover completely, so I don't try too hard to get it smooth. I really like the black bits peeking through, as well as the way the colors show up on the deep black surface. This sketch/painting is not very "finished", but I decided to leave it alone.

We're having such wonderful weather here in the Texas Hill Country now, that it's hard to stay inside and do art. I keep saying that I'll do some landscapes since the weather is so nice, but driven as I am to draw people, just never get around to it - so, off to the places where people hang out. Something to do, I guess, with my obsession with figures and faces.

Back in my studio to work some more on the piece, I listen to George Jones. Yeah, I know, I should be listening to Mozart, but I just love the "soul" in country music.

Thanks for stopping by Hackberry Street Studio!

The Daily Specials - original oil pastel figurative sketch by Connie Chadwell

I had such a good time doing this one, from life, in a small neighborhood restaurant, where they write the specials of the day on the blackboard. The initial parts of the sketch were done on-site and then filled in back at Hackberry Street Studio. The wonderful thing about oil pastel, for me anyway, is that it's very freeing. I just scribble away really fast (especially when working from life since people move around so much) and end up with a lot of oil pastel on the support; but since it's on Pastelbord, it will dry fairly quickly.

Maybe I'll paint a larger version in oil of this sketch and then again, this may be the only one, but I loved doing it. Painting is more enjoyable when it's done from actual models, I think. The waiter was a problem because he moved so quickly in and out of my vision, so he is less exact. Well, nobody in the painting is "exact", but he is definitely less so. It's 5 x 7". Thanks for looking!

Leslie - original oil nude painting by Connie Chadwell

It's been awhile since I posted because I've been working on my new blog to promote oil pastel, The Oil Pastel Review. And now it's done, so I can concentrate on work here at Hackberry Street Studio. I hope you will visit the new blog - the guest artist is David Berridge and I know you will enjoy his work and his story.

The model in today's posting, Leslie, is so elegant and so leggy. I kept measuring and the proportions were accurate. Well okay, maybe I did make the legs a little long, but it just looks like her, so I went with it. It's 18 x 22" on canvas.

Just looking at the posted picture I thought I needed to put up a close-up of her, because the photo of the whole painting doesn't show her pretty face very well. So here's another view.

Thank you for visiting Hackberry Street Studio!

The Russian Girl - original oil portrait painting by Connie Chadwell

The young woman in this painting was originally from Russia and she had such a sweet, yet melancholy expression, I thought. During the entire session, I attempted to get up the nerve to try some of my college Russian on her, but sanity prevailed and I never did. If I had blurted out the few words and phrases I remember, she would have had a look of utter confusion - an expression much more difficult to paint, I think.

I used oil paints on oil primed linen on board. Love that stuff. Thanks for looking. Oh, and it's 10 x 8".

Lookin' for Trouble - original oil figurative painting by Connie Chadwell

Here is my trouble-making cowboy again. He's been at the bar too long and he's getting ready stir up something bad. The figures are from actual drawings from life - done at different times. For instance, the troublesome cowboy was drawn from a more modern guy as he chatted with someone at a bar - I just made him into a mischief-minded cowpoke. The painting is on Fredrix archival canvas panel (as opposed to the practice kind) - and is 12 x 16". Thanks for looking!SOLD

Another Ana - original oil painting of a nude by Connie Chadwell

I've started this one over and over - just couldn't seem to get it to suit me. Does anyone else have this problem? Paint and scrape, paint and scrape. Anyway, it finally pleases me - lots more color in the skin than I usually do. I'm thrilled that I have so many things on my easel that are exciting to me and tomorrow I'll be working on those - maybe even finish a few!

This Ana is 14 x 11" on Gessobord - thanks so much for stopping by Hackberry Street Studio.

Tango Nights - original oil pastel figurative painting by Connie Chadwell

I'm in an oil pastel mood right now, since I will soon launch a blog devoted to oil pastels and oil pastel artists. My first interviewee will be

David Berridge, who is an absolutely fabulous oil pastelist. Please watch for the announcement, which I will post on Hackberry Street Studio.

"Tango Nights" is on Art Spectrum paper and is about 12 x 9". Thanks for visiting my blog.

Irish - original oil pastel portrait painting by Connie Chadwell

Since I've been away for a week and don't have anything completed yet, here's a painting that I did a few months ago and posted on Brushspace, but for some reason, never posted here. It's on Pastelbord and is 14 x 11".

Thanks for looking!

Portrait Practice - original oil portrait painting by Connie Chadwell

Here's something I did on Saturday afternoon. The drawing was done from life and using the drawing as a model, I painted this very quickly, with a limited palette, as a practice piece.

As much as I like value changes, this one doesn't have a wide range of values - kind of soft. It's probably good to do something different for a change. It's 5 x 5" on Gessobord.

Thanks so much for visiting!

Nude on Green II - original oil nude sketch by Connie Chadwell

I just love to draw and paint from the figure, especially when I don't have a lot of time to overwork the painting. This is sort of an unusual pose, but it stems from my theory that I should try to make a decent drawing from wherever in the room I'm standing. Or maybe I'm just too lazy to move to another spot. Anyway, this painting is 12 x 9" on stretched canvas. Thanks for stopping by Hackberry Street Studio! SOLD

Sidewalk Art - original oil figurative painting by Connie Chadwell

Here's a small 6 x 6" painting from a photo and drawing from summer. Had to have the snapshot because kids are always on the move. Ah, for their energy! This is on Gessobord. Thanks for stopping by!

More Little Jivedoodles - original ink figurative drawing by Connie Chadwell

Here's another of the little jitterbug drawings that I love to do. This was done on a Strathmore sketch pad, 5 x 12" and it's done in ink! Very daring, since it can't be erased and so what you see is what you get. I think drawing with ink is one of the best drawing improvers ever, because if you make a mistake, you're stuck with it, so you're motivated to improve. Also, I used a calligraphy pen on this one, which is fun!
Thanks so much for stopping by! SOLD

Girl at the Bar II - original oil figurative painting by Connie Chadwell

This painting is on 12 x 12" Gessobord. Thanks so much for visiting my blog! SOLD

The Tuba - original oil figurative painting by Connie Chadwell

I saw this young fellow marching in a band this past summer. He seemed so small to carry this big tuba, plus, play it as he marched, but he succeeded. I just had a good time with the colors. Okay, maybe I overdid the size a little, but it was fun and, really, tubas are huge!

I actually have a CD of tuba music and it is beautiful! They are truly an underappreciated instrument.

This painting is 6 x 6" on Gessobord. Thanks for stopping by!

Western Swing - original oil western dancer figurative painting by Connie Chadwell

This is another painting done on 8 x 10" single primed linen board and I'm amazed at how little paint is required. It's really a thin application with a soft appearance - a very different experience for me. No worrying about softening edges here. Loved doing this one. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog - I really appreciate it!

More Thai Food - original oil figurative/interior painting by Connie Chadwell

Yum! Vietnamese and Thai food is just about my favorite cuisine! There was a little Vietnamese restaurant in our neighborhood in Washington, D.C. and later, a Thai place, as well. When I first put the sauce (I didn't know then it was called fish sauce) on the first spring roll I ever tasted, I was hooked. I went home and experimented endlessly trying to figure out what the missing ingredient was. Lemon juice? No. Vinegar? No. I marched myself over to the Vietnamese grocery store and they told me it was fish sauce. Mostly fermented anchovies, to be exact. That gave me pause, I can tell you, but not for long. Fish sauce, or nuoc mam, is addictive!

As a sixth-generation Texan, I'm not likely to ever give up cornbread or tortillas, but I'm really glad Central Market in San Antonio carries all the ingredients I need to make Vietnamese and Thai food!

As for the painting I'm posting, I never miss an opportunity to sample the offerings at Asian restaurants wherever we go and this scene is from a drawing I did in a Vietnamese restaurant in San Antonio. Actually, this painting is pretty wet, so maybe I'll post it again when it's dried a little.

Thanks so much for stopping by Hackberry Street Studio!

Evening at the Cafe - original oil figurative painting by Connie Chadwell

I just got back into town and thought I should get busy posting something, so here is a restaurant painting - 11 x 14" on Gessobord. Thanks so much for stopping by.

Another Girl at the Bar - original oil portrait by Connie Chadwell

This is a quick portrait where I actually set my stop watch, so that with any luck, I wouldn't kill the painting. I used a single primed linen board. There's just something about that surface that I love - it absolutely screams for looseness.

The painting is 10 x 8" - thanks so much for stopping by my blog!

More Tango Fever - original oil figurative painting by Connie Chadwell

More tango - this one is oil on Gessobord, 12 x 9", which like the last post, is a little bigger than I usually do for tango dancers. I was especially happy with the foreshortening of the leg. I did this painting from the recent charcoal drawing, "Tango Sketch". They're not exactly alike, because I decided to add a little flourish, but definitely similar.

Thanks for stopping by!