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.