Coco's Best, 12x12 Inches Oil Painting of Chocolate Lab by Kelley MacDonald

This is the 3rd in a series of dogs swimming, this one being at a Dock Dogs competition.  I thought Coco was a pretty cool name for a Chocolate Lab, and I certainly am enjoying painting the pool water! This, along with the other two, will be available at my Open Studio this weekend, on the South Coast Open Studio Tour!

From anywhere: get to Route 195 and take exit 8A, Route 24 to Newport.

Take Exit 5 and take a LEFT off the exit onto rte 77 South.  This is Main Road, follow to 1888 Main Road! 

 I am called #8 (there is no rhyme or reason for the numbers, I know) on the MAP.  Just follow the easy directions above, you'll find me!

I'm preparing something new and exciting to show you.....

Teaser For Open Studio

This is a 30x30 Inch oil painting on canvas that took me, quite literally, months to do.  Sometimes I just can't help doing something like this, quite different from my usual contemporary realism.  I can stand for hours in front of the canvas, in a kind of meditative state, just thinking 'Shape' 'shape' 'shape' 'color' 'color' 'color'.  I'm quite sure there are thousands of brushstrokes.  I don't know where it comes from, or if it's 'legitimate', it just makes me happy, and I find myself putting important things off (go home, eat lunch, walk the dog) to do just one or two more colors.

So, no, I was not thinking of Klimt or any other artist when I did this, perhaps subconsciously, but not actively.

WHATEVER!  It's fun for me and I'll have it at my Open Studio this weekend, from 11-5, Saturday and Sunday.  1888 Main Road, Tiverton, RI.

*This will be for sale, contact me for info

Tax Free Weekend In MA

This is a painting of a boathouse inspired by Boathouse Row, in Westport, MA.  I changed up the color of the door to yellow, because it just seemed like a fun color to set off the violets and greens and blues that surround it!  This painting is at the Art Stable Gallery, and is 18x18 inches, framed in dark wood.  This weekend is tax free in MA, so the paintings in the gallery (which is in MA) all will be flying out the door, I imagine!

I apologize about the non-functioning link on my last post.  It is fixed, and apparently I misunderstood Kate's workshop is $250!  So.... the record is straight now!  Still totally worth it IMHO.

You know, I want to thank all of you who subscribe to my blog, listen to my meandering mind and share my art journey.  The comments that you make really make my day, every day.  Never ever think they have no impact!  Thank you.  THANK YOU!  And... now...if you're in Pembroke, MA this evening, I'll be there, too, to accept an Honorable Mention for my Birds On A Fence!

Broken, 6x6 Inch Oil Painting of a Jelly Donut by Kelley Macdonald

$100 & $10 S&H

 This was one fun painting to do.  I broke it open, and, yup, gobbled up a piece I tore off.  I'm hoping that Wednesday is a better day.  Tuesday started with my loving orange kitty FLINGING a small dead bird onto me as I slept.  Then he pounced on it and practiced killing it again.  OMG.

But the day certainly picked up when I met a new friend for coffee in Providence.  Kate Hanley is a guru, yoga master, wise-beyond-her-years gal who is relatively new to Providence, via NYC.  She is bubbling over with ideas to help people (I know, right?) find balance, peace and health in their lives.  She has two pre-schoolers and is planning on giving retreats for people (I think: women) to show them how to center themselves and give themselves a refreshing pause when they need it.  She is very cool.  You will love her.  Check out her site HERE

The first session is a full day on Friday, September 28 - a day long retreat.  It's at the unbelievable price of $100 - I believe this is an introductory price.  Rehoboth MA, right off 195.  As soon as there's a paypal button, I'm on it.  I'll let you know.http://www.msmindbody.com/

Boston Cream Donut! 6x6 Inch Original Oil Painting

$100 & $10 S&H

Nom nom!  My husband's favorite kind of donut.  He rarely eats them, but he could SMELL the donut under the lights as I was painting it.  When I was done he walked up to the easel and said "NOW I want one of those!"  Too bad, as the one I had bought died under the hot lights~  

Funny little story - I had gone to Dunkin's to get JELLY donuts to paint for the upcoming Open Studio.  The manager greeted me, and when I told him I wanted jellies to paint he got all excited - But you HAVE to see the chocolate frosteds and Boston Creams today - they did an EXCELLENT job with the frosting! (so, OK, I agreed, and bought this one!).  But it's weird because I have really 'leaned on him' about the skimpy frosting on their donuts at this shop!  I told him "Anyone who wants to buy a frosted donut LIKES frosting - not the illusion of frosting!"  And I have not purchased (or painted) a frosted donut from his shop in months and months!  So  - here we are.. drool away!

Excited as tonight is our Girls Just Wanna Paint meeting - it's at Nancy Colella's house and it's usually a PERFECT evening at the beach!  Check out our paintings for "HEAT" HERE!

Ooeey Gooey Stack of Jelly Donuts, 6x6 inch Oil Painting by Kelley Macdonald

SOLD

Today was Donut Day in my studio.  While yesterday I labored over 4 large sky paintings, today I bought a box of donuts and set about to getting some inventory for my Open Studio.  While the Donut War has wrapped up (both sides winners), I found myself diving into this painting and just having a ball withe the drippy jelly and the powdered sugar.  And, no, I don't paint the 'dots' of sugar one by one! :)

My second donut painting needs more work before I show it to you.  It was a victim of ungodly humidity in the studio.  While the overall temp was mid-high 80's, the humidity was raging.  My hands were sopping in my gloves, and I was getting cranky, I tell you!

But for fun, here's a slew of works-in-progress, where I am inspired by the foam at the tips of the small laps of water here on the river.  I have decided I am just going to play with colors, matching them up as I like, just favorites of colors.  I still have some to do on each, but this is the general gist.  And THEN I'm planning on trying to cover them with resin for a glass-like finish.  I am so excited about these.  They'll be on a table of their own at my Open Studios on the 18th and 19 of this month.  Enjoy the colors...

  

  They are all 6x6 or smaller.

St. Simon's Palms

This painting was done as a plein air study when I was with my peeps on St. Simon's Island, GA in May of this year.  It is not for sale, as I don't sell the pieces I paint on these trips (UNLESS it's right off the easel, on location... for some reason I can't say 'no' when someone wants it right then and there!).  But I was entranced by the palm trees.  We don't have any here in Rhode Island and I just love their elegance.  It's good to stretch yourself and paint things you're not used to.  I'm trying to work on a bigger one based on this study but it's fighting me. Wish me luck with that!~

Peace Out, 6x12 Inches, Original Oil Painting

SOLD

I have a thing about cairns.  Aside from the fact that they are ROCKS and I love rocks :)  I love looking at the stack of them... their different colors and shapes and textures.  I started, when I moved to RI, to collect white egg-shaped rocks.  Quickly that turned to all white smooth rocks, and then black rocks, egg shaped and also sort of tubular.  Then flattened black ones, and... a few lovely seal gray ones.  Which led to speckled ones, in brown, off white and gray based colors.

Now when I tell you that my husband practically agreed to move once because he thought (bwa-ha-ha!) that we would be rid of the rock collections... you must believe me.  And I DID leave most of them behind.... but I had partners in my crime - my 2 sons, who also loved rocks.  Now they're grown and I have to admit I have this.... addiction!  Fortunately for me every winter throws up millions of these lovely large stones on our shores.  My poor husband.  I think I will build a stone wall with them.... or decorate the garden with cairns...or paint them or something.  They seem to have little personalities!

This one is 6x12, and it just may make it to my Open Studio in August.  If not.... I'll paint another... maybe a really BIG one! :D  Be well, friends, and thank you for your comments!

Pink Light, 6x6 inches, Original Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

$100 & $10 S&H

I adore the dusks when the sky is deep pink and the water is lavender with pink 'rivers' in it.  And then, when a sailboat comes by and catches a tiny bit of that pink light in its' sail....  perfection!

To my dear friends and relations who think I may have skipped the country:  I am buried in my studio, painting big, little, medium sized pieces, I'm just thoroughly enjoying myself and not even bringing the phone with me.  Sorry, sometimes I have to do that.

I will give you a sneak peek of a work-in-progress.  It's 36x36 inches, and is part of a series....

And if you think this is easy I WELCOME you to come and give it a whirl!

Picture yourself laying on the grass, looking up.....

biggest painting I've ever done.  I will hang them on the front porch the week before the Open Studio Tour, in August.  Try not to run off the road looking at them... :D

Christmas Cove, 20x24, Original Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

This painting was inspired by a visit to Christmas Cove (Bristol?) Maine, on my recent trip.  I love the pine trees clinging to the rocks, with barely a toe hold on a small grassy area.  Off to the right is the passage, by larger islands, to the open ocean.  Reminds me of 'kick back time', and Maine's motto, "The Way Life Should Be..."  What's not to love?

This painting is hanging at The Art Stable Gallery in Westport, MA - which, BTW has tons of new work hanging - I must say it's a great summer to be in that gallery!

Still Morning On The River, 8x8 Inches, Acrylic

Mornings this time of year are spectacular.  I've taken to either sitting on my front porch with my camera or my acrylics ('hi' to everyone who drives by, then tells me they saw me...).  Some mornings are rosier than others.  Sunday morning's (below) was really sweet.  Soft, atmospheric colors... very dreamy.  WHAT a weekend.  I'm kind of shell shocked, actually!  

 Saturday morning my partner-in-crime (my husband) got up and came with me to another dog event, so I could maybe get more shots of these pups strutting their stuff.  It was SO much fun - please don't ask if you can come with me, you'll only be miffed at me!  I'm totally absorbed, and no company while I'm at dog events.  As a matter of fact.. I kind of shut the world out, and get in a zone.  I didn't hear the announcer (speaking to ME) saying "LADY WITH THE CAMERA - YOU ARE IN THE SPLASH ZONE..."  duh.  I knew that - but that's where the best shots were!

Then it was the South Coast Open Studio weekend (I'm only doing the August Tour) and I stopped by the Art Stable Gallery, Karen Raus' and Susan Medyn's studio's - then on to a snazzy party with a FOOD TRUCK and tons of fun people.  Seriously.  I really enjoyed myself.  AT A PARTY.  Sunday brought a family party, then picking up at Little Compton Art Show where....

my Water Dancer found a new home!  I will miss that little girl!

And remember 3 years ago when I was on the verge of tears because I never had a puppy who was as much work as a baby?  Little Paco?  I found some quick doodles I had of him in my sketchbook.  Here's one:

 He was a constantly moving target...

Dusk View, 8x24 inches, Original Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

Another new one at the gallery.  I have been painting a LOT lately - yeah, I know, a lot of you think I paint a lot because I do a lot of Daily Paintings (small format paintings).  But since I got back from Maine I have been working on bigger pieces.  The dogs recently were two that came out of it but I have a couple of 36x36's coming...).  But I have been thinking a lot about color and texture.  This painting, simple as it looks, took days to complete.  I very much wanted this particular sliding scale of the orange and the pink/lavendar.  You see colors like that around here after the sun sets - the water leans to lavender, and the sky orange.  Also just before the sun rises.

So!  Hoping I can paint enough so that my INNER painter can come out and play, and she's coming up the driveway - I can see her but she's not here yet.  But paintings like this are getting me there.

This is at the Art Stable Gallery.  865 Main Road Westport, and will be open from 11-5 Saturday and Sunday, and should be well attended!  I'm going to be there around lunchtime (probably 1-ish) on Saturday.  Should be a blast :)

Yep, more dogs coming - but not for a few days!!!!  I'm hooked on that series!

*and yes, that's a piece of grass on the lower edge - I just noticed it!  I took the photo in the grass!)

Go, Ebony!!,12x12 Inch Original Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

THANK you everyone for your wonderful response to yesterday's painting!  This is #2 in the series of 3 paintings.  I'll include a video below of an actual jump - video taken by my friend Sally's with her PHONE :D.

There's just something about these retrievers.  They love having this task, and doing so well at it.  They truly reacted to the cheers of the crowd, and I can only imagine how great it felt to swim on that warm day!  This painting, as well, is at the Art Stable Gallery, 865 Main Road, Westport, MA.

I'm trying to keep them nice and loose, and about the movement and the 'doggieness' of them.  Have fun watching the video!

Good Dog, Bailey!, 12x12 Original Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

"Good Dog, Bailey!"

On our way to our painting retreat in Maine last month, my buddy Sally Dean Mello and I pulled off the highway to take a break.  In a shopping center parking lot there was this huge tank of water with a ramp, and a lot of dogs (mostly, but not all, retriever types) in line.  Turns out it was some kind of competition for the dogs to run and leap as far as they could, pick up their toy that had been tossed, and swim back.  To say that these dogs had a blast was an understatement.  They could NOT get their turn again soon enough!  I've gotten 2 of my 3 painted, on 12x12 gallery wrapped (no need for frames) canvases.  They are now at the Art Stable Gallery at 835 Main Road in Westport, MA.  

The South Coast Open Studio Tour for July (I'm doing the August tour at my house and I would LOVE to see you!) happens all around our gallery.  Here's what I suggest, on this lovely weekend.  Stop by the gallery around lunchtime.  The shop next door, called Partners Village Store, has fabulous lobster rolls, $19, and worth every penny, with fresh local lobster, and a lovely patio to eat on right in front of the gallery!!!!  Now, here's the tip:  call your sandwich order in ahead (they also have great ham, turkey and veggie sandwiches) because it's a half hour wait.  Then come, devour, and stop in to the Gallery.  I'm going to try to be there around lunchtime at least on Saturday.  I'd be so happy to meet you!   Anyway, clicking on the link HERE, will get you the downloadable Tour Guide.  Email me if you'd like the insider's guide to some really cool artists....

And a *shout out* to Margaret - (friend of Maria Hock's!) for stopping in the gallery last week while I was there.... SO great to meet you!

Hot Slide, 6x6 Inches, Oil

I haven't decided if this one will be the one I submit for my Challenge group's July painting.  The topic is "HEAT" and I have a couple of weeks to decide.  This is what the hot sun looks like on a hazy, hot and humid day, sinking behind Aquidneck Island.  These colors are the only thing I like about the heat.  I'm a fan/a/c girl.  Heat = misery to me.  I'd rather be cold - I can always add layers!

I really like the sun in this.  I used Cad. Red light with a bit of Titanium White, THEN I added Gamblin's Radiant Magenta to the outer edge.  I like the water.  I don't know if I need the information about the house, the trees and the road on the land section.  Hmmm...

I've been working like a fiend in the studio.  Loving every minute of it.  I've discovered if I get over there early I can get a good number of hours worth of work before the heat is totally unbearable.  It's mostly because I have a flat, black roof directly over me, and the temp inside is hotter than it is outside! My studio assistant, below, likes to get out before the high temps, too!

Borning Room, 8x10 inches, oil

NFS

This is from a rainy day on my recent Maine painting trip.  You may have seen Sally Dean's version, we were both drawn to the pale light as the sky decided whether or not to be done with the rain!  I'm no Connie Hayes, but I do love doing interiors!   The first year I stayed in Maine with this group I opted to sleep in this room, the Borning Room, off the dining room.  Old poster bed, chenille bedspread, rocker with woven chair pad.... what's not to love?  This study took about an hour.  We were all in different rooms working away, with a nice banter/singing going back and forth... real camaraderie.  No cell or internet for 7 days.  It re-set MY clock, I'll tell you!

Independence Day Lobster, 6x6 Inches, Original Acrylic Painting

SOLD

I hope you had a wonderful 4th of July!  While we were all happily celebrating the birth of our country,  this lobster and 2 of his friends were steaming, literally.  At the end of the day my husband and Paco and I sat on the front porch and watched nine - count 'em - NINE fireworks displays.  Paco was a real trooper, except when (not in the 9) our neighbor 2 doors down started his own display - right over the road (a few drivers freaked a bit).  Then neighbors 3 houses behind us on the hill started theirs - and it truly felt like we were being bombed!  One of my cats got out and I was extremely worried he would just run and run into the woods, but I did get him in.  

I had such fun with this lobster!  I don't eat them, I just paint them.  He sat on a platter suspended over an ice-filled roasting dish, staying cool, as he will be lobster salad on Friday!    And no clam paintings (sorry, Frank!) because Tim threw them ALL into the pot before I could snatch some!  Anyway, this is technically Mixed Media because I accidently mixed some white oil paint in the turquoise

paint for the platter!!!!  

1 Cosmo, 2 Cosmo, 3 Cosmo... Floor! 9x12 inch Acrylic painting

This painting will be at the Art Stable Gallery next week!

In Maine last week, I made Cosmos for my painter friends!  I'd done a LOT of research into how to make the BEST, and I've decided to share with all of you -kind of like I'm making one for you, OK?  Here goes:

• Chill the glass, the vodka and the shaker in the freezer
• crack about 3-4 ice cubes (don't have a fridge that does this?  me either - I use a rolling pin and a zip lock bag!)
• 1 jigger of Cointreau (no substitutions)
• 1 jigger of chilled cranberry juice cocktail
• 2 jiggers of Absolute (Citron is ok, but plain is just fine)
• 1/2 a lime, plus a slice

Crack the ice, get the shaker out of the freezer, and put ice in.  Add the Cointreau, juice, and vodka - shake vigorously 10 times.

NOW get the glass out of the fridge.  Squeeze the 1/2 lime into the glass, and strain the mix into the glass - toss in a sliver of lime - and enjoy immediately!  Cold is the key.  One drink at a time - leave the glasses in the freezer till it's 'their' time!  ENJOY!

Lost Buoys, 4x4 Inches, Oil

NFS

These Maine paintings are Not For Sale, because I keep them as a visual record of my painting trips.  On the back I try to note the month, year and location.  I need to start adding the other artists that I am with.  You never know when someone will get famous :)

On a path behind the farmhouse we stayed at there was a sign that said "Free Buoys" with a small pile of 'found' buoys - those that somehow get free of their tethers and float to shore for the beach walkers to find.  My friend Sally Dean picked these three (and gave me the blue and yellow one) to take home, plus one orange and white one.  I had a heck of a time painting the fluorescent orange - if any of you know the color recipe for that, I'm all ears.

*this is my favorite painting from the trip*

So... in addition to the 3 pair of earrings, 2 art books and the buoy, my 'souvenirs' included smooth beach rocks for my garden.  Soon:  The photo of my Cosmos's and the recipe!

"Both Sides Now", 6x6 Inch Oil Painting of Clouds

NFS

This is my Girls Just Wanna Paint Challenge Painting: Theme:  July.

Remember as a kid - lazy summer days laying in the cool grass staring up at the sky ... looking at the shapes?  My best July memories.

I've spent a week totally off the grid - painting with 4 other painters in Maine.  It's been a tradition I've been happy to join (my 3rd year) - going back decades to other women who painted with fervor in Maine together Summers during their lives, but have now passed on.  We are immersed in art.  We talk late into the night about our joys and struggles with the artistic life as well as our technical progress.  Our mediums of choice, today, and yesterday... and tomorrow.  We compare easels, paint colors, methods.  We talk about inspirations from the past.  We take a day to visit the Farnsworth Museum, and see the Wyeths as well as their new show (Frank Benson - swoon!).  We visit a gallery and pretend we want to buy a rather famous artist's work so they will drag out a few more....

We eat sumptuous dinners with mind-blowing desserts.  We imbibe (wine and Cosmos were this years picks).  We read.  Talk about our dreams.  Our wonderful spouses and children.  Share recipes.  And paint, paint, paint.  Fabulous!

And every day we paint.  Inside, outside, every which way!

And for some far away fun, check THIS out... and scroll down to see Ray Rempel in an "I Love Kelley's Jellies" T-Shirt, painting plain air!  Go Ray!  Kim, your Dad is great!

TheMaineThing

I am away for the week, and cannot figure out how to post from my iPad! Sometime this week I hope to regale you with paintings from the coast of Maine! I'm with a band of convivial and inspiring artists and I am happy to report that my 'Perfect Cosmo' quest has yielded the desired results. I have photos.......

Cloud Dance, 5x7 Inches, Oil

SOLD

First day of Summer really made it's voice heard!  It sizzled here in Rhode Island, but I, luckily, spent the entire day in the sweet air conditioning (I am trying to look on the bright side here) of the Toyota dealership.  Half the day for routine maintenance and readying for a long car trip, and the other half for a freak malfunction of my audio system (hello - I'm music and GPS-less!).  At the end of the day my part could not be located (yet) and I will be entertaining myself with song, and reading maps (like in the 'old' days)!!!

BUT I kind of needed that calm before the storm:  tonight is Art Stable Gallery's Grand Summer Opening.  We have arranged for theatrical skies and sweet cocktails, fine wine and fabulous art for your enjoyment.  So many other good things going on tonight, I'm not sure of the crowd, but it will be magical nonetheless.

This painting is a view I see often from my front porch, of Aquidneck Island and the Sakonnet River.  The color is enhanced in my painting, but honestly not by much!.  I'm saying I'm celebrating the color.

These Boots Are Made For ... Running! 4x4 Inches, Oil

$65 & $10 S&H

I saw these boots in Santa Fe about 4 years ago.  I don't know why I hesitated, and then left without them (probably the sticker shock).  But I when I saw them something inside me went "YEAAAAAH!"  And when that happens, I have learned to go with it.  So this Fall I am headed out to Santa Fe again, and if I see them.... they will be mine!  If you encounter something that speaks to you (a pair of boots, a cream colored kitten, a piece of pottery...) you should grab it and run.

I have a pair of boots (blue.. from Arizona) and they, honestly, are among the most comfortable shoes I own.  And when you wear them, you get a little lilt in your step.  Definitely worth it.  I think every woman should own what I call 'running boots' (as opposed to 'flying' boots, I guess, 'cause that's how they make you feel!).

On another note, I'm having high anxiety that my Opening Friday night will be devoid of friendly faces that I know!  OH!  When does THIS fear end?  Seriously, there will be fabulous Blackberry Lemonade Cocktails, fabulous food, and very interesting art to look at.  I'm in with a good group....

I Just Met A Girl Named Maria!, 6x6 Inches, Oil

SOLD

Friends, meet Maria Bennet Hock.  Though she looks like a stern person here, it's just her mugshot persona.  She is just lovely inside and out, and we became friends at Karin Jurick's workshop in Hilton Head.  She is the brains AND the brawn behind the Hilton Head Gang Mugshots.  She's widely travelled, compassionate, smart and just plain funny!  I think I won't bore you with the rest of the mug shots - I'll show you the collage of them when I get THAT finished.

Very excited at selling my big painting of 3 Little Graces at my new gallery, the Art Stable Gallery - which, BTW is having our big Opening this very Friday evening, from 6-8:30 at 865 Main Road, Westport, MASSACHUSETTS.  (Caps for all the folks who asked me how many hours I have to drive to CT.... Westport MA is the next town over from Tiverton!)  Anyway it is going to be a TIME.

Cute Stuff, HHI Mug Shot, 4x4 Inches, Oil

This is my friend Sheryl, trying to look tough.  Yeah, she can't.  She's a softie.  And a wonderful artist, as are all my Hilton Head Gang friends.  I can't believe I haven't even known them a year.  Being in a workshop sometimes makes friendships 'ripen' faster.  I've met some of the best friends at workshops.

Anyway, she is - if you can believe it - a grandmother!  Stylish, talented and sweet... and with a red-headed sense of fun!  I have a few more to publish, but I'll space them out.  If you would like to see how we ALL painted each other - and this is a hoot - click HERE.  Just run your cursor over the images, and they'll all pop up.  

Dribble, 6x6 Inches, Oil

SOLD

I confess I've been missing my donut paintings!  For a while there I was a bit 'over' them... now I want to do them now and again!  

I stopped into not one, not two, but THREE Dunkin Donuts shops before I found 'good looking' jelly donuts.  And at that I had to ASK for 'not-weepy' jellies.  With the warm days the donuts don't cool down very quickly, and they stick them into stacks, where the sugar coating melts.  NOT appetizing.  However, the wonderful woman at the donut shop offered to re-coat them with sugar.  Made all the difference in the world.  How great is that dribbly jelly?  This piece will be nicely framed in a (famous) randy Higbee Frame, and will be offered in my new Art Stable Gallery.  Let's see how people in the area like donuts!

Dawn, Armed and Dangerous!, 4x4 Inches, Oil

nfs

I'm trying to finish up as many of the mug shots of the Hilton Head Gang as I can - as we have a  special surprise we're putting together.  Now, this was Dawn, and she was about the sweetest person there - but when it was her turn to pose for her mugshot she sure got an authentic 'criminal' look about her, don't you think?

I tried using (for the most part, I needed to add some umber & ultramarine for the shadow areas) a skin 'cocktail' from David Shevlino - whose work I love.  He uses Yellow Ochre, Cadmium Orange and White.  I'd never used that mix but it worked for the most part.  Now that I'm looking I see I did add a bit of Cad Red Light to her cheek area.

I've been absent for a few days, because my husband and I have spent a few days on Cape Cod - more anniversary celebration!  We never have real 'work free' days for either one of us, but I tried to limit his phone calls by ducking into a store every time he got one, and had stuff waiting at the register when he came to find me ;).... Other than that it was galleries, galleries, galleries, although, the 'season' hasn't started yet on the Cape, so they weren't all open yet.  VERY inspirational though, 

Brushes With Greatness (In Hopes), 6x6 Inches, Oil

SOLD

This month, the Girls Just Wanna Paint Challenge was "Tools Of The Trade".  I worried that everyone would think like me and paint brushes - not so!  It's an exciting month, and includes our two new members - so check it out HERE!  Of course you know how thrilled we'd be if you subscribed to that blog, or commented on it, or became a 'Follower'!  It's all good!

I tried to stay loose with this - I've painted my brushes before, and I'll tell you - it's hard to let those paintings go!  I will probably put this up for sale after our meeting this coming Friday - I like to hold them out so we can all see them in person.

I'm taking the smallest little breaks from painting - my anniversary (35th!) is this month, and we are treating ourselves to a couple of nights away, and our KIDS (this is still amazing me) gave us a couple of nights on Nantucket last week.  For real!  How fabulous is that?  Be well, all... I'll post 'em as I paint 'em!