November Challenge: "Collage"

Oh, Christmas Trees!

Well, it is that time of year!  And the Little Pictures Show at the Providence Art Club is featuring my paintings of Holiday Trees.  I have sold a few already and am suppling them with a couple more - this beauty included.  The size is 8x4, easy to tuck into a small spot for the holidays. and then pack up until next year.  Perfect for gift giving if you know someone who LOVES the season.  The show is up till December 22... but don't wait.... the paintings are getting snapped up like crazy!  Take care, all... nice to be back in touch.  Please comment and let me know how you like this little guy!

 

Doing a Demo Online on Saturday!

Join me for this Demo on Saturday 12-2!

 Click here to register! 

https://www.northriverarts.org/event-4678145

Happy New Year! Poinsettia 6x6 by Kelley MacDonald 6

 

6x6 inch acrylic (SOLD) Poinsettia by Kelley MacDonald

Well, here's hoping for a better, healthier, happier New Year!  I'm still painting a LOT, and I invite you to follow me on Instagram @kelley_macdonald_artist.  I have (recently) reached 1,000 followers, and that is SO exciting!  There you might see my process, my palette, my daily exercises and more.  I also have started a Newsletter that I send out once a month, and subscribers get to see new releases about a week before I launch them on Instagram, as well as getting free shipping on purchases from Instagram.   

You can sign up for my newsletter HERE.  Thanks, and best wishes for 2021!

Pug in Winter, 6x6 inch Acrylic Painting by Kelley MacDonald

 

Pug In Winter, 6x6 Acrylic by Kelley Carey MacDonald

SOLD

Although I am primarily doing abstract work, it has not escaped me that my little friend, Paco, is getting on in years, and nothing is guaranteed - not even another winter.  He is the heart of my heart, and as Pugs are, totally committed to being my companion.  Although these days he is very attached to my one remaining cat, Harry.  Harry is a handsome orange boy who is always leaning on, sitting on or otherwise hanging with Paco or me.  Here they are, as usual:

I would like to invite you to sign up for my newsletter, where I will talk a little about all things art, and my own journey.  I promise to keep it short and once a month. Subscribers get free shipping - through 2022 anyway!  Thanks for all your support. 

Wonderful Open Studios Coming UP THIS WEEKEND

Looking for great art to browse and buy this weekend?  ALWAYS fun, and featuring our own Mary Sheehan Winn and Page Pearson Railsback!  Details below!  Enjoy!

Visit our girls in their studios and get to view their amazing array of work!

Mary Sheehan Winn

Page Pearson Railsback

Ecstatic, 12x12 mixed media painting by Kelley MacDonald

"Ecstatic" 12x12 mixed media painting by Kelley MacDonald

This was my submission for this month's Girls Just Wanna Paint topic "Orange and Pink".  A beloved friend's health struggle was the inspiration for the topic - those being her favorite colors.  She was victorious, and we are.... ecstatic!  Doing more and more of these intuitive abstract paintings, learning more and more and loving the multitude of layers, revealing and obscuring marks and colors. 

 

"Blue, Blue, My World Is Blue", 12 x 12 acrylic painting by Kelley MacDonald

"Blue, Blue My World Is Blue" 12x12 acrylic by Kelley MacDonald

Title is from one of the first songs I learned on my guitar in 7th grade.... this is a demo from my Intro To Intuitive Painting Zoom class.  What we were about in this day's class was to layer, after making marks on our canvas, all kinds of any one color.  I chose blue because it seems, from looking at my paint collection, that I LOVE this color!  So so many colors of blue - ultramarine, pthalo, cerulean, cobalt, prussian, blue violet, blue gray, etc. Kind of goes with the mood of the country right now, pre-election too, in that as Americans we are different, but more alike than different.  

 

Fog Lifting, 16x20 Acrylic by Kelley MacDonald

"Fog Lifting", 16x20 Acrylic by Kelley MacDonald

Done at the South Shore Audubon Society off 3A in Marshfield Hills, MA.

Leading a painting Safari on Boston's South Shore again, one of my favorite things to do.  The air is invigorating.  The light is gorgeous.  The birds, the breeze, the sounds of leaves rustling.... even though my plein air paintings are not my primary work.... Every painting I do or even begin outside informs the rest of my paintings. 

I hate that term, actually... "informs".  Sounds so pretentious.  Well, I couldn't think of another word... wait... INFLUENCES!  yes.  Every painting, even abstract work, must be conscious of thick and thin lines and passages, contrasts in values, and color harmony.  Does that make your head spin?  I'm thinking of putting together a couple of online classes for after the new year.  One is Beginning Painting in acrylics, the other "How to Transition To Acrylic from Oils or Watercolor".  What do you think?  The second one would be just a 4 part class.  But it is a real struggle, and rather than give up... you can learn the little things that will make your acrylic paintings look like the oil paintings you love, but maybe do not want the health risks of anymore.

 

"Cantina El Gato Negro", 16x20 Acrylic by Kelley MacDonald

"Cantina El Gato Negro", 16x20 Acrylic by Kelley MacDonald

For the Girls Just Wanna Paint Challenge this month our topic was "Not New England".  And I decided to go far away from New England for my inspiration.  In my travels in San Miguel de Allende I am drawn to the 'old style' doors and windows.  Quite honestly I have never been in any of these bars - not really a place for me.  But I have always loved black cats and so couldn't resist taking a photo of this doorway, with it's swinging doors and carved relief cats.  I CAN NOT WAIT to go back to San Miguel.  When the pandemic allows... hoping for  mid February 2022, with my buddy Paula Villanova, to lead a painting trip with other fun artists.  Stay tuned for exact dates. 

DM me or email me for purchase info.

kcareymac@hotmail.com

"Selfie With Sunglasses" 8x6 by Kelley MacDonald

"Selfie With Sunglasses" 8x6 Acrylic

This month the Challenge for  Girls Just Wanna Paint was "Selfie With Sunglasses" which I thought would be  HORRIBLE.  

So when I set up (after taking 20 selfies) I said "This is going to be #1 out of 5 'tries' - the first three being 'toss outs'. " BUT... I liked it when I finished.  A bit rough, but aren't we all these days???? 

Stay safe and be happy.

Pick Me! Pick Me! 12x12 Acrylic painting by Kelley MacDonald

"Pick Me! Pick Me!" 12x12 Acrylic

$225 & $10 S&H

This month our Girls Just Wanna Paint topic was "Fish".  We were not inspired to do anything Coronavirus-ish. At our local Whole Foods there are always pink fish on ice.  No idea what they are and no inclination to cook or eat them, but I have always been intrigued by the color.  

I hope you are all staying safe and well.  Uncertain times.  Sending out vibes and thoughts of hope, health and ... even a bit of joy.  

Happy Daffi's, 8x6 Acrylic painting by Kelley MacDonald

"Happy Daffi's" 8x6 Acrylic on Board

Hey.  Stuff is real, here as it is where you live.  All of my classes are not running, and the Spring shows I usually participate in are cancelled.  SO.....  I have had to increase my pricing slightly.  Strange times.  I wish for health for all of you.  It is a bewildering time, with all kinds of information and misinformation out there, and people's businesses flatlining and loved ones passing away, operations still needing to be done, mourning and birthing... all these things now are done... alone.  Without the love and support of our friends and extended family.

Peace to you all. Really.

"Me And My Shadow", 8x8 inch acrylic

Been a while but I have been painting - just not putting things out for sale, concentrating on just doing the work.

This painting, which I submitted for my GirlsJustWannaPaint blog under the "Shadow" topic - is near and dear to my heart.  Aside from just loving shadow patterns, I love this little guy.  He is 11 now, but still my constant companion, although these days he pretty much naps all day (I know, the LIFE!). Be sure to check out the wonderful pieces submitted by these terrific artist this month HERE.

You may have noticed I have raised my prices for 6x6 and 8x8 paintings - grudgingly keeping up with what my contemporaries offer, although keeping it on the low side.  I haven't changed my prices since 2007!  And everything that goes into these little gems has gone up.  Time for me to be honest and keep up!  

Distance, 20x10, Acrylic Painting by Kelley MacDonald

"Distance", 20x10 Acrylic Painting by Kelley MacDonald

Well, wow.  Talk about DISTANCE!  It has almost been a year since I've been here.  Technical glitches asides, it feels good to be here.  I've been teaching a lot... and I went to Mexico to paint and teach with Paula Villanova, and I spent a blissful if damp week in Maine in June, painting with my Mainer girls.  I'm interested in aerial views, aerial paintings.  I don't know if I am really finished with this, but .... nice to see you all again! 

Memories of San Miguel de Allende, Acrylic 16x20 by Kelley MacDonald

20x16 Acrylic - "Memories of San Miguel"

I have had this image for a while, and was terrified to start painting it.  Well, OK, I STARTED painting it in July.  Then I had some health issues that kept me away from the easel, then when all better in September I was terrified to mess it up!  Ever do that?  Well, today, after lots and rain and other things getting in the way - I attacked it and... BOOM.  It did everything I needed it to do - seriously, I couldn't even believe it!  

Paula and I had a 'Meet and Greet" this week for our upcoming trip to San Miguel, and it made me realize how MUCH I yearned for those warm beautiful colors to paint.  We still have plenty of time so if you are interested just go to our website and let us know! https://sanmiguelpaintingadventure.weebly.com

ALSO.. today... at the Hingham Community Center I will be painting a live demo with Girls Just Wanna Paint from noon - 4~  I can't tell you how much it would mean for me to have you stop by.  Meet the Girls!  Have a nibble!  I will also have some not-expensive paintings for sale for early Holiday shopping!  I simply LOVE this time of year, don't you?  

Hey, Neighbor! 12x6 inch acrylic by Kelley MacDonald

"Hey Neighbor!" 12x6 inch Acrylic

When I was a little girl, my Super Power was that I remembered every single jingle I heard on the radio or TV.  I proudly regaled my poor father and grandfather with one after another, getting applause (I think I see the problem here) after each one.  It seems in the 50's and early 60's everything for sale had a jingle.  Anyway, I don't even remember what the tune to this one is, but Narragansett Lager was local and it was the beer of choice (ok, there was always someone who came from 'away' and would drink Schlitz). I wonder what those men (and women) would think if they looked in the chilled beer section now!  Pumpkin beer, apple beer, lemon, every flavor you can think of with every crazy name to go along with it!

This month in Girls Just Wanna Paint our topic was 'local'.  So... here's my local beer.... the motto was 'Hey Neighbor, Have a 'Gansett!"

3 Little Blue Birds, 6x12, Acrylic by Kelley Carey MacDonald

"3 Little Blue Birds", 6x12 Acrylic by Kelley MacDonald

$200 plus FREE Shipping

Click HERE to make them YOURS

I bought these 3 little porcelain birds at Brimfield Antiques Fair a few years ago.  I love the shape of sparrows, and they just make me happy.  I keep them on a window ledge, like they are looking out.  I have painted them individually and together before, and each time I feel I 'know' them better. I also bought a set for a good friend, as we are both so fond of nature, birds and, well, every other animal.  Looking at them brings me peace.  I am sending this peace out to you.  Please be careful and enjoy the 4th of July.

Artist quote: 

"Art attracts us only by what it reveals of our most secret self." - Jean-Luc Godard

And please visit our website about our open Workshop in San Miguel de Allende in late February 2019.  It is a beautiful, peaceful, inspiring place to paint and I would love to share it with you.  Simply click HERE.

Calm Morning In Maine, 8x6 in acrylic by Kelley Carey MacDonald

"Calm Morning In Maine" 8x6 Acrylic by Kelley Carey MacDonald

SOLD

Our GirlsJustWannaPaint topic for this month was "CALM".  Who can't use some of THAT?  I have photographed this buoy for years at our painting retreat in Maine - something about that orange/pink buoy bobbing gently in the water just does it for me. I really enjoyed doing the 'push and pull' of the lights and darks in the water, and I intentionally abstracted the foliage on the far shore.  

As the 4th of July approaches - I wish for all of you a sense of pride, joy and CALM.  :D

Today my art quote is:
Painting is a language which cannot be replaced by another language.  I don't know what to say about what I paint, really.  - Balthus

To learn more about my upcoming painting workshop I'll be giving in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico in February, 2019, click HERE. 

Molly's Flowers, 6x12, Acrylic by Kelley Carey MacDonald

Molly's Flowers, 6x12 Acrylic.  $195 to purchase - shoot me an email at kcareymac@hotmail.com if interested. Free Shipping.

Well I am back from my annual painting trip to Maine - and what an adventure it was!  First, let me say that I REMEMBERED to pack the martini glasses, the Vodka, and the limes - but I FORGOT my painting bag!  So... misadventure after mishap got my paints mailed to me and I received them on Thursday night.  My wonderful painting buddies lent me oils, and I dared to try gouache - only I bought cheap paints because I ALREADY have a nice set of gouache (which is opaque watercolor paint) at home.  Here's a lesson - no paint at all is better than cheap paint.  This week I'll share some of the paintings I managed to do, but it was a wonderful regenerative, restorative and relaxing week with dance-till-your-legs ache friends! I sketched a lot and thought a lot and I think maybe it was IN THE CARDS that I not paint so ferociously last week.

This little painting was done on my daughter's screened in porch. It can be yours for $195 if you email me at kcareymac@hotmail.com.   I was babysitting my grand dog and grand cat and was on a high from getting our tickets for the San Miguel Painting Workshop and also our room - Paula and I are having such fun planning this!  Find out about it and see if you can join us Feb. 26 - March 1, 2019 in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.  All medium, all levels.  Check it out HERE.

A Couple Of Little Things....

"Gerbera & Statice" 6x6, Acrylic on Archival Board

Though I'm not doing small Daily Paintings I still love to paint small every once in a while, and so infrequently these will be available here on the blog.  What I am thrilled with in this painting is the looseness of the brushwork - expressive but believable.  I was very inspired by a wonderful friend, Lisa Daria Kennedy for this, and I was teaching a class where we studied her work and then painted.  I HAVE raised my 6x6 inch prices - but I have not raised them in over 10 years and I feel my skill level and experience warrants this.  Plus, I'm offering free shipping for about 6 months, so it should help!

Today my quote that I love about art is:

"If I could say it in words, there would be no need to paint it." - Edward Hopper

For information on the February 2018 workshop I will be leading with Paula Villanova in beautiful San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, please click HERE. 

"Coming Home" 20x16 Acrylic by Kelley Carey MacDonald

"Coming Home" 20x16, Acrylic  $350, email me at kcareymac@hotmail.com if interested.

So.  You know...I HATE when people start sentences with "So..."... but an update - the paintings at the North River Art In The Barn sold like wildfire.  Yay!  Which is great because I am headed north to mid-coast Maine for an annual painting trip at the end of next week!  VERY EXCITED!  Although I will miss everyone at home, it is a week of renewal, relaxing, painting and laughing.  All the artists going have been in the business for a long time and have so much to share.  And we are remote.  I mean... our phones don't work - we have to use the LAND LINE.  Good Grief~!

OK, this painting is for the GirlsJustWannaPaint post for May, the topic being:  Home.  Great topic.  HOWEVER..... I have never really had a 'home' that 'fits' me.  Fits my heart. I am happy enough that my family fits my heart and my pets fill it up too.  But though I am an architecture nut and love furniture, fabric, china, glass and carpets... my own home is not what I would paint.  So  (here I go again...)  I was in this house a while ago and I thought "I could love living here..."  and I snapped a couple of photos.  The people were waiting for the movers to move out of the country so they didn't mind. The floors, the antiques, the huge sunroom, the 2 stairways... yep... just fit me. And I didn't want this painting to be 'nudgey'... all straight lines and exact perspective.  I wanted the 'feel' I got there.  A little wonky.... like me. 

P.S. if there are typos all over this, my orange cat, Harry, kept leaping up and walking ON the keyboard.  I think I got them all.  But he would look SO great in this home....

News!

This coming weekend is the Festival at North River Arts Society.  I have a painting of a Purple Iris in the Juried Show in the GAR Hall, and 20 paintings in the Art In The Barn, at amazing prices, like the boots shown above.

I will be painting on site Saturday, and working at Art In The Barn Sunday morning, and painting in the afternoon.  I would love to see you - so if you do come, please stop by to say 'hi'!

Also.... on February 26- March 1, 2019, I will be teaching a workshop in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico - think about coming along!

Shuffling Off To Mexico

 

It's been nine years, but finally I'm headed back to San Miguel de Allende to paint with my friend Paula Villanova. I will be posting paintings almost daily, such fun! This was a tiny painting from our very first trip there, in 2004. Laundry and flowers on s rooftop terrace. ❤️

Dreamer, 20x20 acrylic by Kelley MacDonald

"Dreamer", 20x20 Acrylic

Today, once again, is Girls Just Wanna Paint blog day!  Our challenge this month was to take a quote and paint your inspiration.  So mine was "Every Great Dream Begins With A Dreamer.  Always Remember You Have Within You The Strength, The Patience And The Passion To Reach For The Stars To Change The World"  by Harriet Tubman.  

It's a quote that I tried to raise my kids by, and I think it's a good thought for everyone.

To see the rest of the responses... click HERE. 

Also, if you are looking for an acrylic painting class, I'm teaching at Bristol Art Museum in Bristol on Wednesdays.  Starts Feb. 8th, still room! Email me at kcareymac@hotmail.com

Happy New Year! "Glaciers" 8x8 Acrylic by Kelley MacDonald

"Glaciers", 8x8 Inch Acrylic

I simply cannot believe it's been a month since I posted.  Yes, we're all busy in December, but this is just wrong!

Today's post is about sharing my Girls Just Wanna Paint Challenge, which is "FROSTY".  To see all the responses click HERE. 

Do you do Resolutions?  I stopped a few years ago when they seemed to be just wishes.  That I would go gung-ho on for about 3 weeks (or 2, or.. let's be honest, 1week) and then I'd give up.  Well, I'm tired of giving up.  So no more Resolutions, but instead, I'm going to HELP myself be more mindful, be more in the present.  Maybe you don't know how... ummmm DRIVEN I can be, thinking always of the response to the next thing, planning of the next event, the next painting, the next meeting, the next  plan.  It really doesn't seem to serve me!  

So... about my painting life, which is really my life, I'd like to really start now to get some surprising and decent work ready for a show I'll be having (yes... a SOLO show!) in January 2018. I want to do more interiors, more domestic scenes, AND I want to experiment with acrylic paint more, like in "Glaciers", which started out inspired by the wonderful artist Tracey Talbott, in Duxbury, MA.  She brought in some canvases that had tissue paper wetted and attached with gel medium. and I tried it (it didn't come out anywhere near as nice as hers, but it got me thinking... then this topic came up and I thought about the tissue being land masses.  And I added layers and layers of deep clear blues for the 'ocean', and layers of ice-blue, silver and white for the glaciers.  It was a lot of fun!  And it got me thinking about paint another way.  So!  My 2017 hopefully will see more of me just being sunken into the process of painting, realistically AND abstractly.  💙💙💙

Nantucket Dreaming, 6x8 Acrylic Painting by Kelley MacDonald

Nantucket Island.

Is this a place you love?  Isolated, yet close enough... wild, but civilized, sea breezes and cool architecture...  good food, yeah, it's got a lot going for it!

This month Girls Just Wanna Paint had a topic of "Looking Down".  I have always wanted to do some aerial paintings so maybe this will be a jumpstart! You can see the rest of the submissions HERE.

Tonight, the 30th, Wednesday, we will have a little reception for our GirlsJustWannaPaint show at the South Shore Natural Science Center, from 6-8.  And, here, a day late and a dollar short, is my announcement.  Please come by to see our work, come tonight to meet us all and have a sip and nibble 💗

What A FUN Day!

Last Sunday was the Hingham Arts Walk.  And Girls Just Wanna Paint was there in force.  We were stationed at the Hingham Community Center with a satellite position at Talbots - could it be better?  I doubt it!  

What we did was set up a beautiful still life with gorgeous zinnias, a gift from a wonderful fellow artist, Gail Nathanson, and all of us Girls were in a circle around it, painting it.  We each had a table of our other art, for view and sale, against the walls of the room.  We had cider and delicious cookies, too.  So we got to talk about our work, our methods, our viewpoint and style with the many, many visitors.  

We also got to spread the word about our upcoming show at the South Shore Natural Science Center in Norwell, MA, which goes up November 22.  So much going on!  

My painting, entitled "Zinnia Frenzy" is 10x10 inches on canvas.  It will be at our November show.

Something A LITTLE Different, and Hingham Arts Walk

OK, I'll admit it... I've painted probably a hundred donuts, but NEVER a munchkin!  Whaaat? Seriously.  So as a demo in my North River Arts class (that ends this week, boo-hoo - but a new one will start next week!) we started off with a little bit of sweetness for the first class.  They were amazing students. These 3 were mine, the assignment was to paint the same objects in 3 different compositions.  I think my favorite one is the bottom one, with them all in a row.  How about you???They are on paper.  I will bring them to the Hingham ARTS walk tomorrow.

From 12-4 GirlsJustWannaPaint will be stationed at the Hingham Community Center, 70 South Street, Hingham.  We will rotate in and out of Talbots, too!  We'll have tasty sips and nibbles, and we will be painting a still life!  Come on by!  Say 'HI!'