Pour Vous, 8x6 Inch Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

Today's lesson at the Art Club was "color matching".  That's when we take little squares of random colors from magazines and tape them to a piece of canvas, then 'match' the color - it always has to be mixed, and even the most veteran painter can have a bit of a struggle.  After everyone successfully matched their colors up we painted - from life, or a photograph, if they preferred ... but we made sure to 'match' the color correctly.  Our room was filled with silver pitchers of roses and hydrangeas from a recent wedding.  I grabbed this lovely bouquet - then instantly regretted it because I hardly ever paint flower bouquets.... but is really enjoyed it and just was fearless about all those petals and colors!

Sunday was the Hingham Arts Walk - it was a blast being with my art buddies from the South Shore, and seeing 'blast from the past' friends who stopped by!  One lovely woman insisted I looked ten years younger than the last time she saw me - and that alone was worth the whole day!  Thank you Page Railsback for hosting and doing all that work for the Arts Walk, you rock!

Winter Magic, 6x6 Inches, Acrylic Painting of Shadows on Snow by Kelley MacDonald

 I'm wishing each of you a bit of Holiday Magic in your own lives.  Remember as children the wonder, the enchantment with the first snows, and the holiday lights?  In my own childhood I felt very safe and cared for, and I was encouraged to believe.... I wish every child could have that.  It's got nothing to do with material comfort, but of security in our family, and of feeling treasured and loved.

Apologies for not blogging much this month.  I've let my technical difficulties with my Blog and my computer throw me for a loop, and I got discouraged.  But I was painting away, and will share my work with you.  I've also been scheming about my trajectory for the coming year... you know... new series of work, new types of things to paint, and the challenges they'd provide, new teaching opportunities!

Yes!  I'm going to offer a Saturday class - "Basics Plus" - for people new to painting, or new to the medium of oils, or for people who've painted a while ago and want to get back in.  Hours 10-1.   More details next week.  

And I will also be having a class on THURSDAYs from 9:30-12:30.  I've switched back from Friday because it seemed to work better for people!  Fun times and new adventures ahead!

And at the Providence Art Club I will be teaching a Painting A Day class - and doing it along with them, for the very best way to hone skills and develop as a painter, on Wednesdays from 1-4.

VERY excited for January.  But still - I have to enjoy Christmas and the New Year's holidays!  I wish you all a joyous week, and will be pleased to answer any questions about classes - or purchase info about Winter Magic ($100 & $10 S&H) via email: kcareymac@hotmail.com!

Summers' Last Roses, 4x4 Inches, Original Acrylic painting by Kelley MacDonald

$65 & $10 S&H

I gathered what I think will be the last of the summer roses - deep orange, pale pink, red streaked with white, for a tiny bouquet.  This is also a tiny painting - I saw the light hitting it so that flecks of the roses' colors were in the base of the vase, and I had to paint it.  Busy weekend (aren't they all?)... we went to Waterfire with friends on Saturday night after grilled swordfish and the sunset on the front porch... today I did a demo at the Art Stable Gallery, then headed out to the beach for grilled hot dogs and another glorious sunset, melting into views of the starry night, including a great view of the Milky Way.... I always say God is the best artist...  I can't wait to show you my demo from today - tomorrow's post!

The classes are filling - new and old friends...  please reserve now while there's still room!

Just wondering... is there any interest in a Saturday class?

Fogland Beach,

$100 & $10 S&H

Sitting in a beach chair... bottle of water, sandwich, good book and loyal dog under the chair... does it get any better?  Paco and I had our first 'beach day' yesterday, and I painted the little town beach called Fogland Beach.  It was so restful.  All Summer I painted in my studio, and now that it's September (my favorite month) I'm into the glittering water, the little boats going by, the lapping waves.   Today - another beach - I'll post that tomorrow.

Cheers to all my painting friends, and new painting friends to come, in my upcoming classes.  Should be GREAT! :)  I have 2 options - a weekly class on Fridays, and once a month, a full day on the 3rd Thursday on the month!!

Mugshot #1, 6x6 Inches, Oil

$100 & $10 S&H

"On October 31st, 2011, disaster struck the tiny island of Hilton Head, South Carolina. Twenty-one notorious characters descended upon Hilton Head and went wild shooting everything in sight.

The purpose of this challenge is to reveal the identities of the Hilton Head Gang by painting their portraits. The first mug to be painted is the leader of this notorious gang - Karin 'Quickdraw' Jurick . Karin can visit a beach and shoot everyone in sight before they even know she is there. Her covert activity is known worldwide."

~ Maria Hock, artist and member of the Hilton Head Gang

The 'mug' above, is Karin.  She is believed to be somewhat armed, in that she has a camera always, and dangerous, well, just because we say so.   

Other HHG members coming, once a week.... till they are all caught....

In other news... today in class we did a 'limited stroke' exercise.  Only using 25 strokes, we challenged ourselves to 1) really think before we put down a stroke, and 2) as Peggi Kroll Roberts advises, 'Paint like a millionaire' and loosen up, using a good amount of paint on your brush.  Here's mine (and accuracy was sacrificed for this exercise!

Then we painted mugshots.  Here's JoAnn's excellent work.

*Saturday Nov. 19th is my baby Molly's 27th birthday!  Happy Birthday sweetheart!*