The Last Of The Sunflowers, 6x6 Original Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

SOLD

I just love sunflowers, and these are the last from my garden.  Not that I planted them, but last year I had a bird feeder along my fence.  This year my fence was lined with sunflowers!  Trying to keep it loose, but think I need more practice at that.  Yeah.  That and relaxing!

Cluny Abby, Paris, 6x6 Originial Acrylic Painting by Kelley MacDonald

$100 & $10 S&H

A few of my fellow artists from the Daily Painters Originals are taking 'trips' to France - so here's my first contribution!  I loved the Cluny Chapel, and the stories of the Roman Baths in the basement.  Actually, I got a little lightheaded with all the beauty and history, and left my husband to wander inside, while I got some air and enjoyed the pink door and the hollyhocks which matched it!  So, I'd go back to Paris in a MINUTE, and revisit the relics, etc. at this particular church....  See what Kelley Sanford and Julie Hill have served up for their French Feast!

Little Orange Dinghy, 6x8 Original Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

The harbor in Provincetown often has this very narrow orange dingy in it.  When the sun is setting it hits it's hull and it just sings!  I was a little discombobulated today in my 're-entry' to real life.  For almost a week I had just me to think about, and painting.  Today the dryer broke, I cooked a big breakfast for my family, one cat was practicing 'killing' the other cat, and Paco, my pug, just couldn't leave my side, and so he kept getting tripped over.  Oh, yeah, and I tried to paint.  So aside from the glare (which officially I promised not to mention), I'm pretty happy with it, all things considered.  

East View From Provincetown, 8x8 Original Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

$150 & $10 S&H

8x8 inches

Today, my final day in Provincetown, I FINALLY relaxed.  I did a few work ups for my commission (although I still have a couple of potential changes), then I shook everything off, went to the patio at the beach, and painted something that I loved:  this view.  I felt this painting fall off the brush.  I kind of hope it doesn't sell before I get a chance to work it up... BIG.  It was a magical week, and I'm so thrilled to have been given this opportunity - uh, oh... I think this place is getting under my skin...  I may have to come here again!

Pilgrim Monument, Original Acrylic Painting by Kelley MacDonald

NFS

6x8 inches

This is a small work up of a beautiful view I had as I was lugging my gear back to the car after painting last night at Provincetown Harbor.  I also noticed I have a smudge on my camera lens, on the top left portion of the image!  I'll fix it tomorrow, hopefully.

Lots of wind today - and I learned that you can duct tape almost all your plein air equipment - INCLUDING your trash bag!  I decided to use the tape after I was almost ready to paint, and I turned around to get something out of my backpack.  When I turned back my right glove and my roll of paper towels had blown away.  Empty street - no sign of them.  So I took my duct tape and taped and taped some more.  I got some funny looks, but most people said "YEAH, that's the way to deal with the wind!"  Below is a WIP that I started in oils on Commercial Street in Ptown near the landing...

Funny how you can see the things that are wrong  as soon as you post them!

Moonrise Over Provincetown, 6x18, Original Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

This was done last night on location in Provincetown, where I am holed up this week working on a commission.  Each 6x6 panel can stand on it's own, but I think they look good all together.  

I'm feeling incredibly inspired here.  I really think Ptown is one of those spiritually key places, like Sedona.  

I will share with you the 3rd study I did today - all in one color, as it is a value study as well as a compositional study.  I have decided to hunt down or make my own canvas.  I originally offered a 24x48 because they want the 48 inch height.  But upon seeing the scene they want - I decided to find something wider, to include the boats to the right and a bit of the breakwater to the left...

Jelly Perfection, Original Oil Painting By Kelley MacDonald

Reserved

I think I mentioned that at my Open Studio as part of the South Coast Artist Tour I had a gentleman drive from the Boston area to get a donut painting that sold before the Opening.  I offered to paint him another one, and so I dutifully went to Dunkin Donuts and got more jellies.  To get this 'drip' you have to squeeze their plump little bellies.  But that's the beauty of it for me, that glow that the light makes on the drippy jelly.  I actually think (and an artist friend concurred) that this one is even better than the original one that sold.  I'm glad.  I appreciate his effort and support!

And I bet Susan Roden thought I was DONE with donuts - BWA-HA-HA-HA!

Spearmint Trio, Original Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

I've painted these candies before, but I really feel that doing the same subject a few times makes you 'know' it better.  Once agin, my Dad's birthday reminded me of these, as he always had a few tucked in every jacket pocket.  I miss him very much, and hope that somehow he sees and enjoys this painting!

I'm off for a week of painting on the Cape - lucky me - but I'll share what I do, probably by Wednesday I'll have some studies and plein air pieces to share.

Determination, Original Oil Painting by Kelley Carey MacDonald

SOLD

This little girl was stomping around the beach in her brand new pink Crocks, with her big sunglasses and pink bow in her hair, when I snapped her photo.  The beach in Nantasket is hard gray sand, which is really nice to walk on - or stomp on, as she was doing!  I loved her huge strides, her purposeful arm swinging, and her hairdo - all reminded me very much of my own Molly, when she was little. This painting was posted about 18 months ago, but the owner kindly brought it back to me so I could photograph it.  I'm thrilled that she feels the same way as I do about this little girl! 

I'm getting ready to head to the Cape next week for a week of uninterrupted painting.  Part of the deal is that I do a commissioned work for the owners of the cottage - a very generous couple who are collecting work this way.  So I will spend a portion of each day laying out plans for that, memorizing color, feeling the breezes, imprinting the sky so I can pick the best time of day to capture their chosen scene.

Where will I be exactly?  In Heaven, I think.

Distraction.... Original Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

SOLD

6x6 inches

Today I went into Dunkin Donuts to buy some jellies for a couple of commissions and well, they didn't look that great. Kind of flat - sweaty, too, if you know what I mean. So, OK, I thought I'll get an nice Iced Coffee and some munchkins for Paco, who was waiting patiently in the car - on this wonderfully cool, crisp day. Only... instead of the bin of plain munchkins there was a tray of Lemon Squares. Yeah, ... what the what??? Next to that was some raspberry creamy kind of squares...???? And then... 2 trays of cupcakes with sprinkles - wait - WHERE AM I? So I bought a chocolate with vanilla frosting, and ended up with this.

I am finally enjoying the September weather... I hope you are, too!

Always Responsibly, Original Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

SOLD

Last week Carol Marine came to my studio and gave a workshop. Today's post was trying to incorporate her lesson on the color wheel.

We had an amazing time! She's an artist who knows her stuff, and knows how to teach it to you as well. She's organized, thoughtful, generous and she gives each student attention. We had kind of new artists as well as seasoned veterans. But everyone was so friendly and nice - I've had such great feedback from them! Here's a shot of what I managed to do during the workshop:

Four paintings of the same subject, 10 minutes each  - on a 6x6 panel, and

Three paintings of the same subject, 24 minutes, 12 minutes, 5 minutes!

And here we are:

Gearing Up For Carol Marine!

This is an older painting that sold to a dear friend, but I've been pretty swamped getting ready for the Carol Marine Workshop I'm hosting at my studio.  I studied with Carol in September of 2008 (It was also memorable because it was the first week the news covered the implosion of the economy), and I was blown away by this serious, friendly, generous, extremely talented young woman, who took a room full of artists of varying degrees of experience, and showed them a thing or two or three!  We all parted as friends, and all felt enriched. 

I have just had a cancellation - and am trying to fill that one slot - are you interested?  It's Sept. 8,9 and 10 at my studio in Warren, RI.  Email me if you want for info!!