Island Kitchen, 6x6 inch acrylic painting by Kelley MacDonald

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There's a little island off the South Coast of Massachusetts called Cuttyhunk Island.  It's not a tourist destination.  It's tiny, very walkable, and you would go there for peach and quiet, for beauty and the salt air.  I was lucky 2 years ago to go and stay at the Avalon Inn, and this was their kitchen, which, btw, is my DREAM kitchen. If I ever built a kitchen it would be based on this one.  When I look at the photos I took I am taken right back to that magical time, where I met some great people and was able to sink into my art for a few days with no disruption.  And begin and end every day with stimulating conversation and fabulous food.  Every year the founders of this Artist's Retreat make magic happen for the artists, and imbed memories that last for years.  This year's spots are all taken, I believe but if you keep your eyes out, they open for registration early Fall, for the NEXT Fall.  Yoga in the morning, do what you will all day... cocktails and bonding and sharing in the evening.  Here's the website: http://cuttyhunkartistretreat.weebly.com

Weeeelcome Back!

Cuttyhunk View 10x20 inch Acrylic on Canvas Board

$300 & $10 S&H

Click HERE To Purchase

A lovely little island just west of Martha's Vineyard, part of the Elizabeth Islands in Massachusetts... Cuttyhunk is the place to go if you want quiet.  Off the grid, mostly (you can stand on some crests of hills and catch a signal for your phone).  I left with my friend Susan Medyn out of New Bedford Harbor into the spray of the water taxi... into the blue blue water & sky and finally saw little Cuttyhunk.  An Artist's Retreat.  Heaven.  And I did a fun little workshop on Plein Air for my group and the Islanders (it was open to all EIGHTEEN full time islanders).  

We were pampered with gentle, nourishing yoga on the front porch overlooking the ocean.  During the days we foraged for inspiration and the muse.... at night, under the gloaming sky, we toasted each day's fruit of our labor with wine & bites, then were presented with fabulous meals in the shingle style Inn, called the Avalon.  

This afternoon, I braved the whirling wind, and explored the Fisherman's Club, settling near the bluff that overlooked the old Coast Guard Station (red roof), and the spit of beach that pointed towards Nashawena (now... I may have spelled that wrong, but it's the next island).  I started out 'normally'... (you know, blue sky, greeny water), but then it was as if I heard my dearly departed teacher, Ros Farbush in my ear.  "ANYONE could paint that!  Put some color into it!"  So I let my brush dip into the purples and aqua... and ... here it is.  I do hate to part with it.  I'll share more paintings soon.

Where we had yoga every soft morning.

Intensity, 5x7 Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

5x7" Oil Painting "Intensity"

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Did you know that Tuesday was National Dog Day?  Yeah, well, .... we celebrated it in our house!  No, not Harry, the orange cat or Isabelle the torti cat, but Paco and I... and my husband (who did not know exactly that he was celebrating).  I love this painting.  It was part of my 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge with Leslie Saeta.   I really like that you have to delve... dig and be creative - because trust me, no matter how much you love your subject, at about day 10 you are smacking yourself in the forehead asking everyone you know why they let you commit to this!  And you get to know a subject INSIDER OUT! :D

So.  Here I am, considering it again for September.  I have a really, really, really busy month.  I'm doing a workshop on Cuttyhunk Island as part of the Cuttyhunk Island Artist Retreat.  I'm teaching at the Providence Art Club.  And I'm teaching 3 Fridays at the Portsmouth Arts Guild on Aquidneck Island. (Please ignore the typo's, I just copied and pasted from their website):

Honestly, I'm just glad there are 2 e's in my first name and an 'a' in my last name.  I don't ask for much! But there are still a few spots left if you're interested!

One more, kind of personal, thing.  I actually consider all you guys my friends.  You are, actually, more real than my Facebook friends, since you've shared my journey for many years, so... OK.  I haven't posted since Open Studios, which was fine, fun and fabulous.  Because as I was catching my breath over that, we learned that my godchild is very sick.  With God's grace she will not only survive but thrive, but it's been a rocky week, and honestly, I couldn't paint.  I couldn't even string a thought together.  All the crazy stuff going on in the world, and then to find out someone who is wonderful in a 'lit from within' way is literally holding on by a thread.  So.... if you can spare a prayer, we'll take it.  Thank you.  And now.... I promise surprises and fun scenes from Open Studios tomorrow.  Goodnight and thank you.