Letha - original oil pastel portrait drawing

I've sort of been away from my blog - wasting time doing paintings that didn't really succeed. But you have to try, right? Today it was so cold - okay, I know you folks up north think we're a bunch of sissies, but 15 degrees? That's cold for this part of the country! After I went to my Zumba class this morning, I came back home and then started to my studio, but it was still absolutely freezing. I just did a U-turn and walked right back to the house. So no oil paintings today. This oil pastel is from a drawing group in November. I loved the model's hair - it was expressive, if hair can be expressive. Although it wasn't a particularly remarkable pose, she was a good model and I really loved doing this drawing. I drew it on Sennelier Carte d'Art paper and is about 8 x 8".

Check out my blog at The Oil Pastel Review for an oil pastel painting that I'm working on - without a lot of success, I might add. Thanks for stopping by - stay warm!

Rockin' to the Beat - original charcoal figurative drawing

It seems like forever since I posted anything, but I've been really, really busy! That should slow down now and at this point, I'm loving to draw my little charcoal dancers. They rock the night (and probably the day) away. I just can't keep an eye on them all the time, so who knows what they get up to!

If you are near the Kerrville, Texas, area, drop in at the Kerr Arts and Cultural Center to see our Kerrville Art Club show. It will open on Thursday, with the reception on Saturday. The show will be up for a month. It was judged by Steven DaLuz, a San Antonio based artist, and is really beautiful!

This drawing was done with vine charcoal on 9 x 12" vellum Bristol. Thanks so much for stopping by!

Feelin' the Beat - original charcoal figurative drawing

Drawing these figures is so much fun for me and I never really know how they'll turn out. Sometimes they lead to a painting, but I'm such a fan of drawings and think they stand on their own as works of art. This drawing is on Strathmore Bristol paper, 6 x 6". Thanks so much for stopping by!

Another Tango Passion - original oil figurative painting

Here is the painted version of the drawing from a few posts ago - "Another Black and White Tango". This painting is 6 x 6" on Gessobord. Thanks so much for stopping by Hackberry Street Studio!

Bailora with a Fan - original oil figurative painting

This painting is on 10 x 8" linen panel. Thanks so much for stopping by - have a happy weekend!

Her Gaze - original oil portrait painting

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

If you would like to email me, just click the "Contact Me" button.

More Black and White Tango - original charcoal figurative sketch

This sketch will be the underlayer for a painting. I've not used this approach very much, but I know artists who do this - spray fixative on it and then paint over the drawing. Using this method should make the painting practically paint itself. This pose with the outside leg extending back is really a difficult one, because it's not very easy to make obvious which leg is in back, which is in front. While I'm pretty pleased with this one, I still may make changes in the painting as I work. This sketch is on 7 x 5" Gessobord.

Thanks so much for stopping by - check out my post on The Oil Pastel Review. If you'd like to email, just click on the "contact me" button on the right side of 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!

Another Bailora in Red - original oil figurative painting



To all my collectors, followers and visitors to Hackberry Street Studio, I wish you the Merriest Christmas ever!

This painting is on 14 x 11" canvas.  Thanks so much for stopping by! 

The Girl on My Easel - original oil portrait in progress

Here's what I'm working on today - not really finished, yet.  I think I'll set it aside and come back to it in a week or so.  It's on 10 x 8" canvas.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Another Black and White Tango - original charcoal figurative dancer sketch

Here's a little loose gestural sketch of a painting to do tomorrow.  It's charcoal on 6 x 6" Bristol board paper.  Thanks so much for stopping by! SOLD

Lonely Girl - original oil portrait painting

I just think her sort of Gibson girl hair-do appealed to me.  This was a quick, loose study, as you can tell, and fun to do.  It's painted on 10 x 8" Gessobord.  Love that Gessobord! Thanks so much for looking - if you would like to email me, just click on the 'contact me' button to the right of my posts. 
Oh, I almost forgot - tonight I saw a car with a big, lighted Christmas tree on it being driven around town.  I was leaving my studio as the car passed by and I just stood there - with my mouth open, I'm sure - and watched.  I loved it - so unique, expressive and happy!

Bailora in Red - original oil figurative flamenco painting

More flamenco on a 7 x 5" Gessobord.  Thanks so much for dropping by.  To send me an email, just click on the "contact me" button on the right of my posts.  SOLD

"Tango Luv" - original oil figurative painting

This oil painting is on 7 x 5" Gessobord.  Thanks so much for stopping by!  To send me a private message, just click the "contact me" button to the right of my posts. SOLD

Another Coffee Break - original oil figurative painting

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

Sketch of a Couple - original figurative charcoal sketch

Here's a sketch of a couple I was able to observe today - I was sitting some distance away and without my glasses, but I think I got the jist of the thing.  I know what I think was going on, but will leave it open to interpretation.  This will be a painting soon.
Yesterday, at the National Gallery here in London, I found a Vuillard painting I had not known about - The Earthenware Pot - and I love it!  Can't get it out of my mind. 
This drawing is on sketch paper, about 7 x 9", using General's Primo charcoal pencils.  Thanks for looking!

Sketch of a Girl Studying a Painting - original charcoal figurative drawing

Okay.  I know it's not colorful and the lines aren't in the right places and I just left original lines, rather than erase them.  But, the curve of her back was irresistible and I had to get it down right then and there.  This will become a painting in the coming weeks.  The girl was completely absorbed in what she was seeing - 17th century paintings, I think.  You know how it is when there's something before you that speaks to your soul.  This little drawing is charcoal pencil on 6 x 6" Bristol board.  Thanks for dropping by!

The Art Student - original charcoal portrait sketch

Today I attended a lecture where I was able to sketch this young art student as she listened intently to the speaker.  Her concentration was amazing.  She wasn't aware I was sketching her, but when I showed it to her, she absolutely loved it.  I'm always pleased - no, actually, thrilled - when the subject thinks it looks like them!  This drawing was done on 6 x 6" Strathmore smooth Bristol board paper with General's Primo charcoal pencils.  Thanks so much for stopping by Hackberry Street Studio!
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Girl in a Big Hat - original oil pastel figurative miniature painting

This little tiny thing was fun and challenging to paint, especially since it is only 3.5 x 2.5" and I did it with unsharpened oil pastels.  I purposely didn't sharpen them, as I think it makes the painting looser.  I once had an art professor who said that he had a student in the class who was very tight and one who was very loose.  I was the loose one and I still am.  Sometimes, I think it's because I like to leave a lot unsaid - even in life.  My husband might disagree.  I really do think that's the basis for looseness.  Mine, anyway.  You've probably heard of artist trading cards - that's what this is.  It's done on Colourfix paper.  I've been doing bunches of these.  The pose pleased me so much that I think I'll redo it in a larger size.  Thanks so much for stopping by! Sold

Two Step Lovers - original oil figurative painting

I love the skirts with a little lace peeking out underneath.  This painting, 7 x 5" on Gessobord, has lots more brushwork than I usually do and I am pretty happy with it.  It was just a delight to do - I've seen this "hold" that they have on each other a few times and I think it's, well, "sweet". 
Thanks so much for stopping by Hackberry Street Studio!

Tango Memories - original oil pastel figurative painting

This quickly done - my favorite way, lest I "kill" it - tango painting is on 12 x 9" black Colourfix pastel paper.  Yum!  One of my favorite supports!  Thanks for looking!

Lorine - original oil pastel portrait painting

I'm not really sure this is finished, but after the model walks away, one shouldn't try to do anything else to the painting or drawing.  Maybe this time, I'll get it through my head - ignoring my own advice has caused me to ruin many a painting.  It was wonderful to observe the blues in her skin - really a fun painting day.  Lorine is painted on 8 x 10" Pastelbord.  Thanks so much for dropping by!

The Model in a Red Kimono - original oil figurative painting

Here's another red kimono painting, this one is less 'finished' than some of the others, but the timer was set, so .....
The model was also standing on the floor, rather than a model stand, which gives a different perspective that I like to try from time to time.  Fun to do.  It's 10x8" on Gessobord.  Thanks for looking!

Lovers - original oil figurative painting

Actually, this is a work in progress - a quick little (6 x 6") painting on panel that came from another painting of couples dancing.  They were dancing in the background and I decided they are worth having their own little painting.  Tomorrow I'm going to finish the background by putting a little more paint on it.
Thanks so much for stopping by!

More Tango Drama - original oil figurative painting

Here's my tango couple again - doing what they love best.  And so am I.  This painting is 8 x 8" on Gessobord.  Thanks for looking!

More Country Lovers - original oil figurative painting

This painting is on 10 x 8" linen panel. Thanks so much for dropping by my blog! SOLD

Honky Tonk Lovers - original oil figurative painting

This painting is 8 x 10" on linen panel.  Thanks for stopping by!

The Visitor - original oil figurative painting

This painting is still very wet, so it's a little softer looking than it will be when it's drier.  I think I must be a bit obsessed with the 'woman enters room - man is waiting in room' scenario, but I am always thinking of possible paintings like that.  There are many options and all of them are delicious to me.  Will do more of these, I know.  "The Visitor" is on 7 x 5" Gessobord.  Thanks so much for looking!  P.S., I know he's going to stand up when the lady gets into the room.  He is a gentleman, after all.

Allie's Naptime - original oil figurative painting

It's great for both the model and the artist when the model gets to take a nap.  The model is completely relaxed and comfy and the artist has a model who holds the pose perfectly.   Allie loved this pose and so did I!  This painting is on 6 x 12" canvas. Thanks for stopping by!

Coffee Break - original oil figurative painting

This scene was at an art museum, in the cute little cafe area they always have in museums.  I love museum cafes and some of them have really tasty food, too.  This couple was so happy and very chatty - just made me feel good to be nearby.  And I loved her hair.  It had a life of its own.  Mine does, too, but not with the same results.  The painting is on 6 x 6" Gessobord.  Thanks so much for stopping by Hackberry Street Studio! Sold