On My Easel - Jive Practice - original oil figurative painting in progress

Much to do on this painting, but I sort of like this stage - not finished and sort of raw.  Maybe there should be shows for unfinished works - could be called "Beginnings".  My fear is that this painting will be killed, so I'll set my timer and do nothing to it after the buzzer goes off.  Absolutely nothing.  I promise myself.  The surface here is 12 x 12" stretched canvas.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Tango Snuggle - original charcoal figurative drawing

I told myself at the first of the year that I was going to post three or four times a week and look how long it's been!  Well, family things came up and for me, it's family first, but maybe next week, I'll be better at getting things onto my blog.  I'm in Austin at the moment and ahhh - the art supplies!  You can't tell how I'm enjoying the art goodies since I've posted another charcoal drawing, but as y'all know, it's just wonderful to wander through the aisles of paints, papers, art implements of all kinds, and dream of all the masterpieces to come.  I naively think - and deep inside I know it's not true - that if I just had a new something or other, I could do great things.  Oh well, it's pleasant to think on, anyway.  This drawing, which I scribbled madly just because I didn't want it too exact and even thought about doing a sort of abstract drawing, is on 17 x 14" Borden and Riley Bristol (vellum).  Thanks so much for stopping by! SOLD

On My Easel - Sketch for Flamenco - original oil figurative sketch

I should probably call this 'can you figure out what this is?' - a sort of shorthand, I guess.  I know how it should end, and I'm very hopeful, but the best intentions don't always turn out as one would like.  So I'm fully prepared, knowing it may join lots of others I've thrown in the garbage this week.  I find it hard to get rid of things that I once liked or maybe even just liked one passage in the painting, and keep them well past their prime.  Gotta be tough, I keep telling myself.  Thanks for stopping by and listening to my little rant or maybe it was a pep talk to myself.

Whispers at the Bar - original oil figurative painting

It seems like months since I've posted.  I've been away, then much wonderful company for the week of spring break.  So now I'm back with another result of my spying at the bar.  This is about 9 x 9" on gessoed panel.  Although I didn't post for awhile, I was actually doing art - just not sharing, I guess.  This painting was originally 9 x 12", but I didn't like part of it, so just sawed it off.  I've done things like that before.  One time I was in an art show where I had originally planned to submit a complete figure, but I decided I only really liked the top part of the figure, so I just tore everything off from the arms down.  It worked - looked lots better than if I had included everything.  Plus, much cheaper to frame! This one, you can probably tell, I did in a hurry.  And meant to, so I couldn't kill it with my overworking thing.  I just sort have to force myself to let it go.  Sigh.  Art is hard sometimes.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Woman at a Table - original ink and watersoluble crayon figurative drawing

I am thinking of painting a woman seated at a table and did this little preparatory sketch.  I really do love interiors and cozy rooms, so this little 6 x 4" on a cold press watercolor paper postcard may eventually lead to a painting.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

A Modest Nude - original oil pastel painting of a nude

I came across an old life drawing and did a 7 x 5" painting on Pastelbord from it.  I'm always saying that I'm going to get rid of all those old drawings, but they do come in handy.  I'm not a hoarder by any means, but I do have a stack of them.  Thanks so much for stopping by.

Jive Kids - orginal ink and oil pastel drawing

Just scribbling in front of the TV, added some color and here is an 11 x 14" drawing on Strathmore's Mixed Media paper.  I haven't been posting for awhile, because I'm working on lots of things, but not one of them is fit to be seen, yet.  Thanks for stopping by! Sold

Her Blue Boots - original oil figurative painting

I just finished watching the Olympic ice dancing - SO gorgeous and they make it look so easy, which, as someone who can barely get around the rink, I know it can't possibly be!  Now back to art - this 5 x 5" painting is done on Gessobord.  I've seen some really beautiful turquoise blue boots lately - luscious, really - and just couldn't resist putting them in my painting.  Thanks for stopping by!

On My Easel - Looking Back - original oil pastel portrait in progress

This is an interesting pose to paint and definitely requires a model - no memory painting here.  It's a long way from being finished, but I look forward to working on it and seeing how it ends up.  Using Strathmore Mixed Media paper - my first experience with this heavy paper and I like it. Thanks so much for stopping by!

Two-Steppin' Romance - original oil figurative painting

 



Here are a couple of sweethearts on the dance floor. I had such a great time painting this - I guess it was feeling free with the brushwork or maybe the turquoise boots - I don't know exactly. Sometimes it just happens. Check out my oil pastel blog, too, if you have a minute, and thanks so much for stepping - uh, stopping - by!

Nude Study - original oil pastel painting of a nude

Here's a quick drawing of a nude - never totally finished - that I did back in October.  It's on Sennelier oil pastel paper about 11 x 9". This paper is white, 160 lb. and pebbly - I love it.  Thanks so much for looking!

Sketch of a Little Moment - original oil pastel figurative sketch

The resort where I spent Thanksgiving provided a wealth of subjects for drawing and here are two that I observed in a private moment.  Although they were wrapped up in each other, they were really in the middle of everything, so I felt it was okay to draw them. They held this "pose" long enough for me to get the bones of the sketch done, then filled in from memory, striving to keep the sketchiness that I intended without overworking.  I had just bought a new set of Caran d'Ache Neopastels, which are perfect for use on Judson's Guerilla Painter carton board.  Neopastels are a less oily form of oil pastel and not my usual go to brand, which is Sennelier, but Neopastels are great, too, and many oil pastelists prefer them.  This drawing is on 12 x 9" carton paper, but it's cropped here to about 11 x 7" - not really physically cropped, but just for blog posting.  Thanks so much for stopping by! SOLD

Flamenco Practice - original mixed media figurative painting

I vacillate between 'this is interesting' and 'this is crazy'.  Right now, 'this is interesting' has the upper hand.    I was fooling around with a piece of Yupo and some watercolor crayons, watercolor, ink, graphite, and finally, some oil pastel.  It's about 10 x 7".  Thanks for stopping by!

On My Easel- Portrait of Cynthia - original oil pastel portrait painting

Here's what I was working on today - not really through with it, though.  It's on 7 x 5" Pastelbord - will finish it sometime this week.  Thanks for looking!

Nude in Greys - original watersoluble pencil drawing with touches of ink

Copying from a charcoal life drawing that I did several months ago, I compared my Derwent Inktense pencil to my go-to Stabilo Aquarellable.   They came out fairly even - at least on the Yupo that I used here.  Couldn't resist using a little ink, though.  I love the pens that are permanent ink, but until they dry, a little water can make some nice values.  This drawing was done on 12 x 9" Yupo.  If you have a minute, please check out my oil pastel blog.  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!

Playing Bach - original oil figurative painting

I painted this 8 x 8" on Gessobord while listening to the Audible.com presentation of Paris 1919 by Margaret MacMillan; just finished listening to Europe's Last Summer by David Fromkin.  Kind of on a World War I kick here.  Both are really good and I recommend them.  Plus, as I listened, I ate Luden's cherry cough drops, a carryover from childhood that is as wonderful as I remembered.  It's almost worth it to have a cough.
What do y'all listen to when you're painting?  Or maybe you find it distracting.  I do occasionally have to run it back if I lose track, but for the the most part, I can now hardly paint without listening to music or a book.
The photo is shiny, as the painting is still soaking wet, but I wanted to get something ready to post.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Torch Singer III - original oil pastel figurative drawing

One of my favorite subjects - the torch singer.  I'm not even sure why it appeals to me - the loneliness, the lament, the smoky (formerly) night club - but an interesting scenario, to me, anyway.  This is on 7 x 5" Pastelbord.  Thanks for looking!

The Girl in the Red Coat - original oil pastel portrait painting

Finally back from vacation - hope everyone had a great New Year's - and ate their blackeyed peas!  At least, that's what we eat in the South on the first day of the year and I wouldn't dare do otherwise.  Who knows what could happen!  This painting is really a memory painting of a young woman leaving a café where I was in late December and she seemed in a reflective mood.  Maybe she was thinking of her resolutions for the new year.  Or maybe nothing that dramatic, but I did love the scene and couldn't wait to record it when I got back to my studio.  It's on dark green Pastelbord, 5 x 7".  Thanks for stopping by - Happy New Year!

A Little Glitz - original oil pastel portait painting

It was the hair.  And the earrings.  She was ready for the Christmas party.  I used dark green 5 x 7" Pastelbord and then my usual palette of mostly cool colors in Caran d'Ache oil pastels.  I apologize for the fuzziness of the photo - the painting is sharper in person. 
Roger and I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas - and thank you for stopping by!

The Cocktail Waitress - original oil pastel figurative painting

I know.  Maybe not the usual subject, but I did observe this young woman working very hard - dealing with many different types of customers, taking multiple drink orders, working quickly and efficiently and all with perfect aplomb.  I don't think I could do it, especially in that tiny uniform!  Just another of my bar observations.  It's 7 x 5" on Pastelbord. Thanks for stopping by! Sold

Nude on a Red Tuffet - original oil pastel painting of a nude

Trying to get this done before my internet connection completely stops - 7 x 5" on Pastelbord.    Whew - done!  Thanks for visiting! Sold

Black and White Flourish - original charcoal figurative tango drawing

I drew my latest tango dancers with vine charcoal, extra soft, on 12 x 9" plate Bristol.  I love the way charcoal sort of sits on top of the smooth Bristol - can't explain it, but charcoal just has a different look and feel on this paper.  Another joy for someone who LOVES to draw!  Thanks for visiting my blog! Sold

"Cozy" - original ACEO oil pastel figurative painting

This tiny (3.5 x 2.5") piece is on Art Spectrum Colourfix ATC (Artist Trading Card) paper, the smallest version of their wonderful pastel paper.  It's wonderful for oil pastels, too.  I have this orange chair - my all time favorite - and it's so snug on a cold evening, plus perfect for models, as well - even when they didn't realize they were going to be models.  Working this small without sharpening my oil pastels forces me to be loose, which I hope will carry over to larger works.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

ACEO - Over Her Shoulder - original oil pastel portrait painting

I love to do these little ACEOs - they're only 3 1/2 x 2 1/2 inches, but they can contain a lot of information and emotion.  This one is on Art Spectrum Colourfix in light blue.  The Colourfix has a white (unsanded) border all around, which I think gives a nice framed effect.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Recital - original oil pastel figurative painting

This is painted on Stonehenge black printmaking/drawing paper and is about 7 1/2 x 5 1/2".  Thanks for stopping by!

Orange Robe - original oil pastel figurative painting

Here's more fooling around on the carton board.  One of my teachers - many, many years ago - read a survey to the class in which one of the findings was that orange was the most disliked color in a painting.  I am always disregarding that, because I love orange - can't wear it, but can use it in paintings like crazy.  So sometimes, when the model wears red, I just take it into the orange range.  The size is 12 x 9".  Thanks for stopping by! Sold

More of Those Crazy Jivers - original ink and oil pastel figurative drawing

The first time I saw this jitterbug/jive/lindy step, I was dumbstruck.  Maybe the second and third times, too.  The guy - usually lower to the ground than this jiver - sort of scoots or hops along while the girl holds on tight to his hand to give him balance.  Anyway, it's unbelievable and I just can't help but wonder about his knees.  A fun thing, though, and I love it, because I adore what the jivers do as they jitterbug through life.  This started as an ink drawing and I was really happy with it.  Then, I thought about a little color - that's where the trouble usually starts for me, because my lines end up covered and ruined.  But I added just a smidgen here and there, so the lines wouldn't be obscured, and it seems to work???  It's on Bristol board paper, about 9 x 7 1/2".  Thanks so much for stopping by!Sold

Nude in a Yellow Chair - original oil pastel nude painting

This oil pastel is painted on 12 x 9" Guerilla carton board.  Wonderful stuff.  I just ordered some Caran d'Ache oil pastels because I think they will work really well on this surface.  I was going to do something with the background, but didn't have time, and didn't really get much of a finish on the model, either, but maybe next time.  Thanks for looking!

Sketch of Kristi - original oil pastel portrait sketch

This sketch was done from a sketch from life - so, a sketch from a sketch, I guess.  My joy in doing this was that I used carton paper (about 12 x 9") from Judson's Guerilla Painter - so wonderful and so like that used by the impressionists.  I have always loved that look - as if it were done on cardboard, but I could never find anything like they used, without actually having to resort to cardboard.  Which I would love to do, but I know it's a no-no. 
Check out my oil pastel blog to see my latest flamenco dancer.  I usually like to post oil paintings or drawings on Hackberry Street Studio and use most of my oil pastels for my oil pastel blog, but
I am currently going crazy trying to get some oil paintings finished and some of them just won't cooperate.  Oh well.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Looking Down - original oil pastel portrait painting

This oil pastel is one that I had on my oil pastel blog some time back and I just decided to post it on this blog, because what I had intended to put here is now in the garbage.  And deservedly so.  This is on 7 x 5" Pastelbord.  Thanks for dropping by!

On My Easel - Jive Start - original charcoal figurative sketch

Here's how it looks when I have absolutely no models.  Tons of lines trying to find the right positions for my little couple.  I just know - even though it's raggedy right now - that I can make a pretty good drawing and then a painting out of this.  Really.  I do. Thanks so much for stopping by!

Flounce - original charcoal figurative drawing

Here's a drawing I did a couple of years ago after watching a live flamenco show.   First, there was the gritty, gypsy flamenco that I adore, then a more modern version, I guess you'd say, with such swirling of skirts.  Lots of ruffles and grace, yet the dancers retained much of the original flamenco and it was just beautiful.  I drew this, I think, with a charcoal pencil.  Looks like it, anyway, and it was originally on 12 x 9" Strathmore drawing paper, but I trimmed it to about 8 x 7" or so.  It seemed to me that everything after the first few flounces was superfluous.  I guess I didn't think so at the time, but do now.  Thanks so much for looking!

Dancer in a Blue Dress - original watermedia figurative painting

These little watermedia dancers are so much fun.  I always like to do stuff that isn't too finished. This painting was done with watercolor sticks and some watercolor.  I guess I could just say it was done with watercolor, since the sticks are considered the same as watercolor.  It's on Yupo.  Love that paper!  Also, it's about 10 x 7" - thanks for looking!

Jive on Green - original acrylic figurative painting

Here's just a sort of fun thing I did over the weekend - 12 x 16" acrylic on board.  Thanks for looking!

Tiny Backward Bend - original acrylic figurative painting

This little 4 x 4" acrylic on Gessobord may be part of the show at the Dutch Art Gallery in Dallas, Texas, opening next weekend.  Usually I paint in oil, but acrylic proved just perfect for the occasion, since I was in a rush.  The drying time is fantastic!  There basically isn't any.  I may try this again.  Thanks so much for stopping by! Sold

Bullrider Sketch - original charcoal figurative rodeo sketch

You're whispering "what's wrong with her - posting something like that".  No need to whisper - it's okay.  This is a sketch that I did from life at the local rodeo this past summer.  The back end of the bull doesn't really show well, but it's there.  Just thought I'd show one of the things that I work from.  Probably only I can understand this shorthand scribble, but it will become a painting one of these days.  I always think I can 'feel' the subject better if I draw it, than if I take a photo, even though I did take a bunch of photos that night.  Thanks for looking and do check out my oil pastel blog.

Watercolor Jivers - original watercolor and graphite figurative painting

Okay, it looks like I was just totally goofing off, but my jivers like to show up in any medium, so this time they danced on Yupo for the unbridled fun of it.  This little painting is about 4 1/2 x 10".  Thanks so much for stopping by!

A Bow in Her Hair - original graphite pencil portrait drawing

This drawing began from life, but, alas, what young person wants to sit for a portrait - not many.  And I tried letting her watch a movie while I drew, but the pose kept changing, so - thank goodness for cameras!  You know, of course, that I'm not much of a photographer, but I did the best I could, and here we are - 11 x 14" on Borden and Riley Paris paper for pens.  I love that slick surface for drawing.  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

Thursday's Model - original oil pastel drawing of a nude

 

Using carton board, I started this drawing with Crayolas, but decided I needed a little more 'oomph', so went for my wonderful Sennelier oil pastels.  They never disappoint.  It's on 12 x 9" carton, but I cropped it - in the photo only - to about 11 x 5".  Thanks for stopping by!

Over a Glass of Wine - original oil pastel figurative painting

For a teetotaler, I sure do like the bar scenes.  I just cannot resist the interaction between people, especially between men and women.  This was a quick sketch and there are things that could be changed (corrected?) but I just don't want to lose the "in the moment" feel that I think it has.  It's painted on 5 x 7" Pastelbord.  Thank you so much for dropping by!  Also, if you have time, please check out my oil pastel blog.

Sweet Thing - original charcoal portrait drawing w/touches of sanguine

Just got some new drawing papers - I'm a paper fiend - I love all kinds of paper!  And this is one of the pieces - it's Stonehenge, one of my very favorite manufacturers.  This kraft color is new for me.  I also got light blue - drool - plus some of my usual colors.  This drawing is about 14 x 10".  Thanks so much for stopping by and please visit my oil pastel blog.

Geisha with a Fan II - original oil figurative painting

This painting is 10 x 8" on archival canvas panel and is much more abstract and softer than I usually like to do, but I didn't have anything else to post, so here's today's effort.  Since it was done quickly, I left the background, and, hey, some of the foreground, kind of unfinished.  I like 'unfinished', usually, but when I started this one - which I did from a drawing from life - I had a different intention.  It was supposed to be more detailed, but you know how it is, sometimes the painting sort of tells you it's time to stop.  Although, more often, it doesn't tell me anything and I end up killing the painting.  Sigh.  Will I ever get it just right?  I sure hope so!  Thanks for visiting my blog!

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!

Last Dance - original oil figurative painting

I hope this painting captures the last dance of the evening - made no corrections and just let the brush do its own thing.  It's on 6 x 6" Gessobord.  Thanks for looking!  Sold

Sweet Jive - original charcoal figurative drawing of dancers

This drawing is set to become a painting (oil on canvas or panel).  I don't always do this, but the painting usually goes a little quicker when I have a plan of sorts.  Plus, I just love using my vine charcoal - this time, it's Coates brand - to squiggle my dancers into being.  (They're always there, of course, but I give them a little nudge.)   Drawn on Strathmore Drawing paper, it's about 10 1/2 x 8 1/2".  Thanks for looking!

Woman in a Blue Dress - original watermedia figurative painting

This quick little painting is one of those fooling around things that often seem to go right.  So much nicer than working on something for hours, then having to throw it away, like I did the day before yesterday!  I listened to Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder while I did a bunch of these smallish watercolor sticks/watercolor on Yupo paintings.  So much fun to listen to music I love, while doing pieces that I totally enjoy. This one is 9 x 6".  Thanks for stopping by my blog! Sold

Jivin' Their Way - original oil figurative painting

I really loved doing this one - well, of course, I have fun with every single one of my jivers, but this one, especially.  Maybe it's because I sense their joy. The painting's not dry yet, so is a little fuzzy-looking in the photo.  "Jivin' Their Way" is on 8 x 8" archival canvas panel.  Thanks so much for stopping by! SOLD