Holiday Bouquet, 8x8 Oil

Here's a painting of a beautiful bouquet my husband indulged me with while we were grocery shopping. I wanted to paint in the style of my previous winter bouquet with greens, but this is what I came up with after 2 tries. I guess every subject has it's own voice, and you have to be true to it. Here, at my house the time between the holidays is sort of out-of-focus, with me confusing what day it is - who's home? Who's stopping by? Who are we visiting? And although I love it I kind of am looking forward to burying myself in the studio for long hours again.

Candy Canes, Acrylic 8x8

My oldest son loves plain old peppermint candy canes (yes, he's 29.... so what?) so in addition to putting a bunch on the tree I like to have a jar of them hanging around during the holidays. This year I popped a bunch of matte red glass balls in the middle of them. Yesterday I had some time to myself (everyone gone home or visiting or napping) and I set up my acrylics, which I haven't really used much since my Carol Marine workshop, and went at them. The red is more vivid in real life. I like doing holiday themed little paintings, because who cares if they don't sell? I just prop them up in every room and it makes everything a little more festive! And it's good exercise for your eyes - when I would normally, at this point, with a bit of quiet in the house, just head for a comfy chair with tea and my "Splanket" (my daughter bought them for the whole family - we look like a monastery:)!) instead I take this hour or so and measure, measure, measure - value, drawing, color... so it's kind of like going to the gym for your creative self!

I hope everyone had a peaceful holiday. I just may get around to sending out my holiday cards this weekend. We'll see! ;0

For You, 9x12 Oil

The other day I was visiting my artist friend Nancy Colella, and our plans were to paint, then have a meal together (it's an hour to her house, so I couldn't possibly make it home without food!;).  Well, we ate first, then it turned into a haircut adjustment (it happens, OK?), and then Nancy spread out the tulips I brought her on a table and I painted them.  The blue tone from beneath the paint doesn't show up as much in real life.  I'm getting into painting flowers - I never really saw the point, but now I'm feeling up to the challenge, and am very excited about it!  Today we're buried (about 8 inches) in gorgeous snow, and I'm driving to Logan to pick up Tim from a business trip very late in the day, so I hope I get to paint today - maybe some snow?

$150 through Paypal

Spider Mums & Holiday Greens, 8x8 Oil

What HAVE I been doing? Well, getting healthy, 'sharing' my sickness with my husband, baking cookies, visiting friends, and decorating. Yes, I find I can't wear my 'artist' hat AND my 'Martha Stewart' hat at the same time - and I so rarely give up my artist hat, but I decided this would be the Christmas to do it. And in light of the financial 'crash' we're heading in to (yes, I'll say it - it's looking like a Depression by the time all the pink slips are handed out) I think this holiday should be more about caring for each other than about presents. I have to say I LOVE presents - giving as well as opening, but they're only fluff - the important things of this world are NOT of this world. And there are many who are not reading things on computers who are suffering more than we can imagine. So in light of those things I'm happily enjoying putting the lights on the tree, sticking various greens & berry laden branches in a window box, listening to my Perry Como/Frank Sinatra/Johnny Mathis Holiday music.

I finally did a Daily Painting yesterday, and I was channelling Carol Marine. Thinking about my brushwork, about the edges, and most of all, the overall design. What do you think? It's 8x8, so the price is slightly higher, $150 via Paypal.

Congratulations to Cheryl Mihalko, and Katie May for winning the 'raffles' this month - they are shipped and on their way to you! Katie won the Pointsetta painting and Cheryl chose the Persimmon - I hope you enjoy them, and have a Happy Holiday Season! Thanks for following my blog!

SOLD

Ho Ho Ho!

Considering art is my 'job' - I am so blessed - how many other jobs can you 'phone it in' from your couch? Feeling a bit better today, but not clear headed enough to be trusted with a brush.


BUT - the first email I receive (from a subscriber) responding to this post is the winner of this week's raffle/giveaway! You can choose a painting from this Daily Painting Blog for free! When I notify you, simply log on to PayPal and send me the shipping $ ($10, or $12 with insurance).
GOOD LUCK and thanks to all of you who participated - it was fun!

Happy Holidays, and Best Wishes for a healthy, happy New Year to all of you!

BTW, this is my 300th post! I can't believe it's gone by so fast, or that I've met such fantastic people on the blogsphere, thank you all again!

Tomorrow.....

First... apologies for the no-show this week - I've been down with some evil bug. Now.... when I send out a post tomorrow.... with no artwork, I'm pretty sure, as I'm still curled up in a big blanket on the couch trying to breathe AND swallow.... whoever responds to the post first gets to choose a painting from this blog. The work I did at the workshops and Parrsborro is not eligible. Also, the painting of the skaters from Rockefeller Center is at a Holiday Show. So! All you'll have to pay is $10 or $12 shipping (insurance is the $2 difference) by Paypal, and I'll ship it out,

Happy Holidays to you all!

Holiday Reflections, 5x7 Oil

Two in one day - am I crazy?
This one is $100 - through Paypal - just email me at kcareymac@hotmail.com. The WINNER of the Gift Raffle today was Katie May McElwain! Thank you for all who emailed responded. I think I'll do at least one more of these (it was fun) and my husband had a great idea for the next one - that the winner gets to CHOOSE which painting they want from the blog (assuming I still have it... ). What do you think of THAT one? Also, today's post was scheduled (by Blogger) to go out at 9 a.m. EST, but apparently it went out earlier. Next week I'll do it manually to make sure the mid and west folk have an equal chance!

Dog Show day - it was PERFECT - warm, clear weather, good health, etc., except I was late and MISSED the Boston Terriers due to a tractor trailer accident on the highway. Fortunately I got to chat with an owner/breeder of the kissiest little Boston, and she happens to live on Boston's South Shore - where I haunt my friends! No litters this year, but I'll keep in touch. I don't know that they snore less than pugs (my actual first choice), but we'll keep them towards the top of the list. Also there was a plethora of pugs this year, which just makes my day complete, and the corgi's were adorable, too. Lastly the Scotties were serious but sweet - just making a wonderful morning.

FREE! Poinsettia 6x6 Oil

THIS ONE'S FOR MY SUBSCRIBERS! (Anyone who has signed up for my Group and gets my posts in their Inbox). Terrible glare. I apologize! I tried in every light, inside, outside, in the bathroom, in the common room at the studio (no windows).... and I COULDN'T get the glare to go away! This freebie (to subscribers to the blog) painting is on the 1 1/2 inch gallery wrapped canvas - so no frame necessary - go ahead, re-gift, it' OK with me! Anyhew... IF anyone wants it and is a subscriber to this blog - email me - the first one to arrive in the inbox gets it for the price of shipping - $10 via Paypal (If you want insurance on the package it is $12). This baby is VERY wet and glossy, I wouldn't think of shipping it till Monday or Tuesday - but I'll let you know. Happy Holidays from ME!

And this was so much fun, I'm going to do it again NEXT week. Day to be decided... I'll let you know on Monday. Thanks, everyone for checking in, and I do love the comments... I'll announce the winner tonight - I'm at the DOG SHOW all day today! :)
Kelley

Cup And Shells, 6x8 Oil

SOLD

I wonder if I have a personality disorder - oh, yes, I remember - MSD (Multiply Style Disorder)! I mean sometimes when I look at my set up I set to work and something kind of realistic comes out on the canvas/board. Other days, something like THIS falls onto the canvas before I can even think! Ever happen to you?

Oh, well.... be on the lookout for tomorrow's post - WHICH IS FREE to the first subscriber who emails me (they will pay $10 postage, though!).

Holiday Kiss, 6x6 Oil

This is $100 through Paypal - just email me if interested.
I had a terrible time photographing this. The green is prettier in person. The background is darker, too - but the glare was impossible to get rid of! I know I'll be sorry I bought a bag of these things - but I need them for my Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies - next week is 'Cookie Week' where I drop everything and make something like 38 dozen cookies to give as gifts. Today I strung some colored lights in my studio, but I still have to dig out the Christmas music (I'm the sort of person who has to be told in Feb. "It's annoying everyone else to listen to Christmas music in February...") and I try to keep it to December, but next thing I know it's months later. When we split our time between Hull and Tiverton, during the hour car ride my cat Isabelle would only settle down if I had Vince Gill's Christmas CD on (I played it for her till May) - yeah, I know, Vince Gill? But we did experiments and she cried with any other CD.

OK - just a reminder - FRIDAY's POST will be FREE to the first subscriber who emails me!

IHOP Bowl, 6x6 Oil

This little IHOP bowl comes from Santa Fe, and I wanted to paint it with a silver spoon but I couldn't find one in the studio, hence the green plastic spoon. Nursing a rejection from the Daily Painters.Com (2nd one) and trying to be philosophical about it. Micah said the primary reason was that I didn't post enough. He said that they try to only accept artists who post at least 20 times a month. So I guess I fell short of that. Still.... I think if my paintings were amazing, they would have accepted me and told me it was conditional upon 20+ posts. (Here I'm patting my own head and saying 'poor thing....'). I many times don't post because the painting didn't work out. Do people want to see the 'losers'? The ones where I just want to wipe off? I know I'll get over it (again) and I know I'll throw myself even more into my blogging. So be prepared for MORE posts from me, and..... have a Happy New Year!

Visiting Day for Cranberries, 4x6 Oil

Another cranberry painting - I'll be sure to do something different tomorrow.  I was going to fill the little vase with berries, but turns out I left the bag of them at home, and I only had the 5 at the studio!  I obviously enjoy painting the glass now, and red is this season's color, so... cranberries!  I hope to include a Holiday Special Announcement in tomorrow's post, so stay tuned!  

Also - on Friday - I'll be posting a FREE RAFFLE painting.  Anyone who is a 'subscriber' to  my blog is eligible (right now that stands at around 70 people).  After I post the painting, the first one to email me and say they want it will get it for FREE, excepting $10 shipping and handling, payable by Paypal.  If you are the winner I will email you and tell you.  When I receive the Shipping payment I'll make the announcement that you won.  It doesn't matter how long you've been a subscriber - even if you just sign up on Thursday night, that's OK!  It's my way of saying 'Thank You" to everyone who has supported, encouraged, and put up with me and my art this year!  

Cranberry Dance, 6x6 Oil

We've all had wonderful and, well, not-so-wonderful Thanksgivings.  Yesterday was one of my best, and I hope you all had a great one, too.  Other than wishing for more time to talk to my kids, I couldn't have asked for anything more, and we had no burnt food, illnesses, fires or other catastrophes!  My son Conor made the cranberry sauce this year at my house, and 'rescued' 5 little berries from the pot.  He put them on this light green glass plate with bubbles on the sides, and they sat under a light on the counter - I had to paint them, you know? Many challenges, the biggest being the white table having the 'shadow' of the green plate with the little bubbles showing.  I may do more cranberries, just because it gives me an excuse to use my Perylene Red!  Happy Thanksgiving, and a safe weekend to all...  This is also not going on ebay (when the market picks up a bit I'll put them back on, but it cost me $$$$ to sell NONE of them through ebay last month!) but email me if you're interested. ($100)

Different Strokes Weekly, Oil, 6x8

This painting is in response to Karin Jurik's Different Strokes From Different Folks Challenge. I found it extremely challenging, with the light coming from behind, and there was a whole tableau to choose from & narrow down. I love a challenge, though, and the very neutral tones were fun to work with (how many ways can you say 'gray'?). And also I go to meet Katie May this weekend at Mary Sheehan Winn's Open Studio - what a great girl!, this is the three of us below:

Also..... I've been 'tagged' by Paula Villanova AND Katie May (so I guess I'd better play!) Here goes:

The rules:
1. Put a link in your posting to the person who tagged you.
2. List 7 unusual things about yourself.
3. Tag 7 other bloggers at the end of your post (*including their blog links*) and comment on their blogs to let them know they have been tagged.

Now... my 7:

1. I was the recipient of the Betty Crocker Homemaker Of The Year Award in my senior year of high school (I was desperate for reading materials, and pored over the Farmer's Almanac and Yankee Magazine the previous summer, so knew a few things about skinning peaches and making jam) and was the butt of jokes the entire year - I am absolutely domestically challenged!
2. Being an artist was way beyond my wildest dream as a child... my family tried and tried to point me in a 'practical' direction.
3. I can bake circles around almost anybody, and I can't tolerate pie crust that isn't flaky and light!
4. In jr. high and early high school I was in a girl's guitar band, called... are you ready?.... The Pebbles. :0 We mainly played at Catholic Masses, B'nai B'rith (hope I spelled that right) meetings, other Women's Group meetings, the VA hospital, and.. funerals.
5. My cats can hypnotize me and put me to sleep.
6. My favorite thing to do is to just be with my husband - I am never bored (31 years) and am just happy, whatever we do.
7. At the Holidays I can drive around for hours like a child, looking at the lights and decorations - the more elaborate the better, throw in a Santa & Reindeer, too!

Now.. I'm tagging

• Nina Villanova
• Patty Walsh
• Kathy Weber
• Debbi Roark Smith
• Debbie Miller
• Nancy Hartley
• Pam Holnback
  

Snowman, 6x8 Oil

This is a little plastic snowman (a la Christmas Tree Shoppes) that has been hiding in plain sight in my bookcase waiting for the Holidays. I'm not putting him on ebay, so if you're interested just email me, at kareymac@hotmail.com. Kind of tonal, but fun to paint~

Take Out, 6x6 Oil

This painting is not going on ebay - if interested simply email me at kcareymac@hotmail.com. I played around with this a bit, and still wonder if I might like a darker, more neutral background on it. Well, I'll paint it again at some point. I've been working on a submission for an upcoming show - and will post it after Monday on my Studio Blog. But... for now I'd like to invite you all to the
North River Arts Society 27th Annual Holiday Art Sale.
It is on Saturday November 22 and Sunday November 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can really pick up some bargains here. It's in Marshfield MA at 157 Old Main Street, in beautiful and historic Marshfield Hills, quite a nice drive, in a wonderful old Grange Building. I'll have 20 pieces for sale PLUS a big painting that I've reduced drastically for this sale. See below:

All my smaller pieces are on 'sale' from this blog - at Fire-Sale prices (between $50-$75). The large piece, the Flower Stand, can be seen on my studio blog. There will be lots of high quality paintings for sale, and it's a hugely popular event with those 'in the know'. They've even had to start an "Early Bird Admission" for the customers, for $15 you can get in an hour early (9 a.m.) on Saturday, to beat the crowds, and get to browse and sip a cup of nice hot coffee.

Sparkling Egg, 8x6

Click To Bid

**ooops** I sent this out before the photo was uploaded - my apologies!

Here's one where you say... WHAT was I thinking?  Actually, my 26 year old son was helping by cleaning out a closet (something I dread) and he found this and said "This should be a Daily Painting!"  "HA!" I said.  That would be crazy!  So here I am in crazy-land, and I tried not to get tied up in the 'decoration' of the egg.  I just let my eye capture generalized color, bright vs. the shaded colors, and wherever little sparkles or shots of color came out, I added them in.  I was also trying to do the new Karin Jurick's challenge, which was an upside down figure, and I only had a half hour today - needless to say it was a total wipe off.  I'll do it for next week.

Just the Peaches, 6x6 Oil

Click To Bid

I did do a painting over the weekend, but it was not successful, it was OK, but nothing to write home about.  Then this morning I grabbed this jar of peaches and had a great time painting it! I wonder if there's too much of the mid tone, that being the golden color of the peaches.  I guess it's one more thing to think about, and not jump in and paint till I've got it settled in my mind.  As Ken Auster says "Intellect, then passion, then intellect".  I was running with the passion, forgetting to plan, plan, plan!

Santa Snow Globe, 6x6 Oil

Reserved

Click To Bid

Uh-HUH! The stores are all decked out for Christmas already! I went in to pick up a presciption and CVS was completely Christmas-ed. So this little guy was 99 cents, and I said to myself - I wonder how I'd paint THAT.... and the next thing I knew he was standing in the spotlight in my studio just DARING me to paint him! So it's a bit early for the holidays, but I'll probably be tired of all that by December anyway! The inside of the globe was a challenge, but not as much as I'd feared (of course that depends on if you think it succeeded!), and the little pink and green sparkles were fun - I had some fancy smancy paint - I think it was Daniel Green brand - that was 'radiant', in magenta and green, and honestly, I've never found another place for them! I'm just having fun today!

Mushrooms, 6x6 Oil

Click To Bid

This little 'Daily' took about 6 hours, if you count the first attempt and subsequent wipe off!  The whole time I was thinking I really wanted to go for a walk, casting my eye out toward the sunshine that was slipping away, and not really focusing on my painting.  The first design was all, all wrong, and nothing I could do could pull it out.  Finally, about 3:30 in the afternoon, I wiped it off, said "To heck with it!" and went out for a stroll during the most beautiful part of the day.  When I got home I switched from the 6x8 format I was using, grabbed a trusty 6x6, and this painting fell off the brush.  I love to paint whites that aren't white, and these mushrooms fit the bill.

 Then back home, where they became part of a mushroom-spinach-rice concoction that gets scooped into a pita with a slice of cheese, and grilled till the cheese melts, mmmmMMMmm!

It's A Persimmon, 5x7 Oil

Not Available

I love them ... to eat... to paint... to simply look at.  Funny, because orange is not a color that would come up on my 'short list' of favorites.  But I loved the bouncing reflections from the saucer on to the Persimmon, and the highs and lows in the shadows.  The ground on this board is very very absorbent - I think it's gessoboard - so some of the looseness that would/could come from sliding brushstrokes full of paint together didn't happen, but it's OK, I like it anyway.

On my Studio Blog I'm posting some photos from my Artist In Residence day at the Furnace Brook Middle School in Marshfield, MA.  The kids were amazing, and I did two little panels, explaining about A Painting A Day, and they did one (taking turns, of course) and I did one, and I'll post mine there, too - I can't believe I forgot to take a photo of the one the kids did - it was  great!

Different Strokes, Oil, 8x8

This is in response to Karin Jurick's bi-weekly challenge - Different Strokes From Different Folks.  So I'm not putting in on ebay, but if anyone wants it just email me.  I like challenges, and using someone else's image certainly fits that bill.  I just focused on the shapes of the ladies and their shadows - and it was fun putting in the little park/traffic background as well.  While I was doing it, I was gritting my teeth in fear - then I said to myself  "Nobody knows you're doing this... if it doesn't turn out, just wipe it off!"  and that freed me to try some things.  I did have to do a little wiping off, but that's OK. I'm so inspired by the other artists that have done this challenge.  I don't know how often Karin updates her submissions - every few days of so, I think. 

Bottle of White, 6x8 Oil

Today after coffee, etc. at Olga's Cup & Saucer in Providence Tim & I went to Borders for some quiet bookbrowsing... NOT!  Apparently Bill O'Reilly was signing his new book there, and I swear it looked like 3 days before Christmas!  It was packed - and made it tough to find books to read - we 'booked' it out of there and over to get some art supplies on Wickendon Street.  There's a really great wine store off Wickendon, so we picked up a couple of nice French wines on the Blue Tag Special. Then over to Wayland Square to see the shops & pick up some amazing cheese at the Farmstead.

So we had the cheese & wine at my studio, because it's on the way back home, and I had forgotten my photo card reader there on Thursday.  And because I didn't post yesterday, I painted the wine bottle.  Not thrilled with it, so I won't put it on ebay, I think I should have been more creative about the viewpoint, and composition in general.  I was breaking my rule about not painting after a glass of wine,  now I remember why I made it!

******Good News Alert!  I've been accepted as a Gallery Artist in the Cape Cod Art Association!  I found out today and am very pleased!

Pink and Yellow Gerbers, Oil, 5x7

Reserved

Click To Bid

Today I combined two colors of the daisies, but stuck them in a pink lemonade bottle. I just loved the undulating shape of the bottle, and thought the colored labels might be fun. The format, 5x7, is not my favorite. I've decided that I'm most comfortable with 6x6 or 6x8. It's a good thing to know, but now.. all those odd sizes of canvases & boards.... I'll think of something to do with them!

OK - let's talk POLITICS! No, really, let's not. But I guess the Obama girls are going to get a puppy, and being an animal lover (do you remember that I'm such a dog freak that I go - by myself- to the big AKC dog show in Boston every December?) I'm listing a few of my favorite breeds in a POLL on the top right of my blog. Out of my suggestions which dog would YOU like to see in the White House (on the sofas, on the White House lawn, in Lincoln's bed, etc.). It's just for fun, though I promise I'll send our recommendation to Michelle Obama!

Red Wine Vinegar Cruet, 6x6 Oil

Reserved

Click To Bid

Away from flowers for today, and on to food! This is one of my mother's cruets, which, though not expensive, mean a lot to me. So since the only salad dressings I like are home made, I'm planning on doing a series, red wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, cider vinegar, and olive oil. I'm discovering the joy of painting glass, too. Don't worry, I'll mix it up with flowers & fruits & veggies, too. I think I could paint for 3 lifetimes at least and not run out of things I want to paint!

I spent today in Southie (South Boston) with Paula Villanova and Ros Farbush. I'll post that plein air piece on my Studio Blog. It's great to paint with Paula, always, and Ros, having celebrated her 80th birthday this year, gives me such hope - that loving painting can go on for a long time and bring a sparkle to our 'golden years'.

Yellow Gerbers, 6x8 Oil

Click To Bid

More Gerbers.  I find I like their shapes as well as their intense colors.  I put them against a dark chocolate brown background to make them stand out.  The cloth they were resting on was a warm white - I don't know if it came out that way in the photo.  I think I'm definitely buying PhotoShop!  The program that came with my mac is great for storing, cropping, etc., but for quick resizing and color matching, I don't think you can beat PhotoShop.  I used to have it on an older computer (isn't it amazing how quickly we burn through computers?), and I can't even remember which one!

Pine Cones in a Vase, Oil, 6x8

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Another on that kooky background!  These are, again, my Nova Scotia pinecones.  I would have liked the set up to be a little less flimsy - the background would not stay upright in back of the yellow covered box - and instead it rested a few inches away (I should take a photo of my set up) - to get it eye level I have a plastic storage box, with a big phone book, then a tall box on top.  On top of this I drape the cloth or paper, then in back (against the microwave) I lean the background.  So the shadow did not touch the background!  Anyway I went to Kabloom for more flowers - I was going to splurge - but they were closed, so.... the little pine cones filled in.  They are surprisingly hard to do - you can't try to 'draw' the little 'leaves', it'll make you crazy, you have to just kind of look at the light spots and the shadows (which is the best way for me to paint anyway...)  Happy November!

Red Candy Apple, 6x6 Oil

SOLD

Happy Halloween!  I must say lately I've been having a lot of fun lately with my Daily Paintings.  Perhaps it shows - I've been looking at them in a whole new way - concentrating on items like flowers or fruits or vegetables, and changing or rearranging the viewpoint, the backgrounds, etc.  And I've been trying to work with a new color wheel, the Munsell color wheel.  I think I'm seeing a new solidity to the work, though this may be premature.... it feels that way anyway from MY view.

Today's piece was a real challenge - darn glossy, clear red!  I actually had the polka dot fabric hanging in the background,, but at the last minute I was unsure weather I wanted so much attention on the background.  My son Conor made these, and though this one is now history, he promises me he'll make more next week, cinnamon flavor.  We'll see if they're any easier to paint!

Gerber Daisies in a Vase, 6x6 Oil

Click To Bid

Here's the whole bunch.  I had this fabric from when I went to Carol Marine's workshop, but I never used it there (too much to think about).  I was a bit intimidated with multiple flowers, plus a patterned background, but I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out.  Trying also to think about the dominant value (and in this one I think the dominant value is the middle value, with the dark value second and a smidge - Carol's word - of light values).  So at least for now, I'm sticking with simple exercises that incorporate value dominance, color (Munsel color wheel), edges, and of course, composition.  Not to exclude the 'joy' factor (my own term) - each painting I do must have a certain something that makes me 'want it', something that gives me, and hopefully the viewer, a little jolt of joy.

Harlequin Mug, 8x6 Oil

Click to Bid

This is one of the adorable cups I got in Santa Fe.  They're called Harlequin, and came in many colors.  I love the shape and I love this color green.  I added a few pine cones from the Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia.  And one fragrant, small branch of evergreen from behind the cottage we stayed in.  I guess I've combined my souvenirs for this painting, and each piece had it's own challenges.

Little Gerber Daisy, 6x6 Oil

SOLD

I'm playing around with backgrounds and lighting now, and 'line of sight'. I really like the way this one came out. My husband noticed that the vase did not reflect the black-ish (actually green, red & blue) background, and asked if it were accurate. Well, it was one of the things that was interesting to me when I painted it - that at this angle the glass in the vase only reflected the cloth below. But I'm enjoying the daisy structure so much, I may do a few more.... different poses, different vases, hope you don't mind...

Pink Gerber, 8x6 Oil

Click to Bid

I really enjoy painting these Gerber Daisies - I love their saturated color and the almost chunky petals - they're just wild!  So I bought a small bunch today and am going to play with them in different settings.  All the Daily Paintings will have a 'click to bid' option now - it's taken me a while, I'm technologically challenged.  Good news, my daughter is seeing a nice young man who works in 'IT'... so I've got to find out what kind of cookies he likes and get busy with some good bribes!

Other good news: I got 2 pieces into the very competitive North River Arts Calendar Competition - and while neither was selected for a 'month' in the 2010 calendar, it was an honor to be selected for the finals & show.  Also I got into another national juried show :  Small Wonders, in Annapolis, MD, which will run for the month of December at the Maryland Federation of Art. :)

Pink Ballet Slippers, 8x6 Oil

SOLD

I bought these at a yard sale because they reminded me of my daughter Molly's ballet slippers, which she wore day and night as a very little girl.  Of course I think I saved Molly's, but I don't know where they are.  They just looked to me like a snapshot of childhood, so transitory and sweet.  I really loved painting the pink leather, it was so buttery and smooth.  And I put them on a green background, because it was the one that gave the most 'pop' against the pale pink.  Trying to keep the brushstroke loose, this painting just fell onto the canvas, it was a joy to paint!

Peppers In A Glass, 6x8 Oil

Click To Bid

Now, for something completely different.  I can tell you - but you won't know to believe me - that this looks much, much better in person.  I was interested in glass and reflections, and the background is black velvet.  I didn't use any black paint, (though I do have it, and occasionally use it, Chromtatic Black) just mixed viridian green, alizarin crimson and ultramarine blue.  I included the little peppers because I NEEDED some color - and it was just enough.  Virtually impossible to photograph because of the glare, this is as good as I could get.  Tomorrow .... another sharp detour....

Thanks, everyone (all 12 of you!) for answering the poll on my blog.  It really does help to get outsiders' advice.

And I have a few new interesting bloggers that I've found and added to my list of links - check out the top 4 - they're new!

Peppers In A Bowl, Oil 6x6

I spotted these little peppers in the market and just loved them - of course I don't know exactly what I'd cook with them (and wouldn't now that they've sat under my light to 'pose' for me!).  Anyway the light and shaded portions of them were interesting to work with.  I tried to keep the light parts very saturated with color, letting the shadow part get darker and 'grayer'.  They have such great shapes, too!

Sugar Pumpkins (the candy kind) 6x6 oil

Well, it's 'that' time of year.  As bad as Easter with all the goodies around! I bought these for my sons and thought it would be a great challenge to paint them.  And it was.  Painting sugar has got to be one of the toughest things - hopefully these are at least recognizable!

Oh - and two things,

1. Thank you to everyone who comments right on my blog - it's such a treat to see them there, and to know that I can re-live the comments months from now.  And
2. I've posted a POLL on my blog on the right hand column, and I'd appreciate it if anyone could help me with this.  I have another (more interesting to YOU) poll that I'm going to do next month but for now, it'd help me out if you'd cast your vote....  Thanks, very much,
   

Kelley

Fall Roses, 4x6 Oil

The garden is in it's glory.  The roses are seemingly happy to do without the summer heat.  The white and the tangerine roses have given up their last, while the orange bush seems hell bent on reaching November.  Fine with me!  Here's the last white and the last tangerine blossoms.  Hard to get shadows in flowers... and I definitely need new/different vases for the little blooms!

Just Nuts, Oil 5x7

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In the studio today I couldn't find anything I really wanted to paint. Like many others, right now politics is on my mind.  And, in the words of my dear friend Joan Brancale, it's "just nuts".  Whichever 'side' you're on, I bet you agree with me that you wish it were over.  I bet the CANDIDATES wish it were over, too!  Anyway, these 3 little cashews, one hazelnut, one almond and one pecan are anthropomorphicized (how's THAT for a good made-up word?) into the voting ranks.  Or rants, which is what it seems like these days!  I thought it would be boring to paint the nuts, but there are so many colors that you have to really pay attention to see.  

October Dahlia, 5x7 Oil

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I love Dahlia's.  OK, I used to not like them, my husband reminds me.  I think I used to walk around with blinders on, oblivious to the amazing things around me.  Anyway I liked the orange and green play here.  I tried to keep the brushstrokes loose (harder than it sounds) and not get carried away with the glass.  I hope we have another couple of weeks before our big frost - heating bills aside, as I love these late blooming flowers.

Red Coffee Mug, 6x6 Oil

I love to paint cups and mugs.  The eliptical shapes are a constant challenge.  If I don't get them exactly right, the painting won't read right.  Red can be a challenge, too (thanks, Valerie, for the tip about Perelyne Red!).  I have some new cups from my trip to Santa Fe, and they'll be working their way into the paintings soon!

Turquoise House, Oil 8x10

Last plein air painting from Nova Scotia.  This sweet turquoise house had a big dahlia patch running alongside it.  I really enjoyed painting this, with thick paint, trying to lay down broad patches of color.  The arches of the bare trees made a nice frame to the house, too.   I could've made more, or less of the house, but that's something I may explore later on a bigger canvas.

Backyard View, Parrsboro 8x10

Happy Thanksgiving, Canada!  On Friday Joan and I meandered into Parrsboro and explored the neighborhoods a bit.  Everywhere there were Canadian flags, which, when I think about it, is not too unusual, since it's their national flag!  But the backlit houses in a row, with the flag and the blue-roofed house beyond, looked good to me.  While we were there painting we were given a flag by the man doing repair work at the Canadian Legion, where we parked... a nice souvenir!

Thursday In Nova Scotia

Raining here today, so I only got the bottom painting in before it started.  Then I painted the candle we have on the table this afternoon.  Yesterday no painting, just sightseeing - too too much to paint - I think you really need two weeks in a new place to get acclimated and then decide what you want to paint.  I have more photos on my Studio Blog.

Parrsboro, Day 2

Reserved

Here I've tackled two little cottages. The quiet here will knock you over. Fabulous. I'm trying to loosen up in my plein air, and the top painting is maybe a little too 'tight' for me. I do love the subject, though. The second one is a little more lively. What do you guys think?

We are in artist's heaven. Who cares what we eat or drink, or when we sleep (I took a nap on the bluff in front of the cottage next door - in the wonderful fresh air, with the scents of balsam and ocean wafting by - I tell you... Heaven....

Also you can check out Mary Sheehan Winn's blog for more photo's & links for this painting trip.

LIVE from Parrsboro, Nova Scotia!

 Painting trip to Nova Scotia - (hardly know where I am these days!) with Mary Sheehan Winn who's husband's family is from the Parrsboro area.  She's kindly hosting a little trip - Joan Brancale is here also.  We came up in the Grand Marquis, after all of us promising to 'pack light', and, well, I guess none of us really are able to do that. :)  The scenery is amazing, the cottage is right on the water, and it is truly inspirational.  If you don't like dead quiet this is not the place for you!  The tides are famous for their extreme levels (I would have though "Tsunami!" if Mary hadn't told me.)  I feel the BUTTER should be famous, too...(why IS it so different?).  

Today we explored in the morning, when there was NO wind and it was warm.  Then as the wind kicked up we took out our paints, and I did this - it's the direct view from where we're staying.  The sand is a deep pink, leaving transparent rose colors when the tide comes in at the waters' edge.  I'll try again tomorrow, but for not having done a plein air piece in a long long time, I'm not too unhappy with it!  There is a shadow on the upper and lower right that I didn't see back at the cottage.  We have to come into town to post - no 

White Gourd, 4x6 Oil

WELL!  I'm back in the saddle again!  I bought some white paint so I don't have to wrestle with that sticky stuff!  This felt better, and I like the viewpoint better, too.  I love these little gourds and the subtle colors in the whites.  I do appreciate all your feedback, either through email or the comments, so thank you all.  Next time I post it will be from Nova Scotia (I hope!)  If for some reason I can't then it'll be a week from now.

Pale Mini Pumpkins. oil 6x8

Once again struggling with the white paint.  Last one.  I'm throwing the Permalba out!  Next week I'll be painting in Nova Scotia with 2 painting buddies.  I'll try to blog from Parrsboro.  I'm not thrilled with this painting, but it was a little crazy around here trying to pack/cook/clean for the trip.  Only kidding about the cleaning.... ;0