A Little Joy! 6x6 Inches, Oil

SOLD

Sweet Joy!  It's the 1st of the month and that means our Challenge Group, Girls Just Wanna Paint, is posting!  Our topic was "Joy".   This is one moment when the Joy is just so intense.   It was a difficult viewpoint, and the painting got wiped off twice before I got this version...

Today I'm hanging our show at the James Library - I have to tell you, we are SO excited about tomorrow night - we will be there with 80 of our paintings and some awesome nibbles!

And I hear a famous South Pasadenan Blogger and artist will be swinging by Florida, Georgia and Virginia to pick up other artist/bloggers and heading up to Boston for this opening....... maybe..I can dream...

Christmas Cove, Maine, 8x8 Inches, Oil

This is a painting done from a study I did in Maine at Christmas cove.  Lovely, lovely place.  This painting has lots of thick paint, which is giving off a bit of glare.  This 8x8 inch piece is done on cradled panel - so frame or don't if you want a more contemporary look.  While the painting is scheduled to hang at the Holiday Show at Nest in Dedham, if you would like it you can email me at kcareymac@hotmail.com, and purchase it through me.  The price is $200, and it is wired and ready to hang.  Shipping would be $10.

AND... I thought I had showed you before, when in Hilton Head with Karin Jurick's workshop,  but here it is... Rhode Island Red Chickens, also in Maine last summer.  My pal Jody and I were a little lost, and we went down a road that got smaller and smaller - and we passed this: 

NFS

I am BUSY making my famous meatballs for FRIDAY night!  There is talk on the internet of various BLOGGERS planning to invade the Girls Just Wanna Paint Opening at the James Library!

6-9!  Let's see if Georgia and Virginia make a showing....

HHI Gang #2

NFS

"The Hilton Head Gang is a group of notorious artists who attended Karin Jurick's workshop on Hilton Head Island.  I will feature one member of the group each week until they are all accounted for...

The second member of the Hilton Head gang is Regula “Babyface” Scheifele.  Don’t let her youthful appearance fool you...she is as devious as the rest of the gang when it comes to shooting covertly and then leaving the scene of the crime.  

After terrorizing the island shooting her way through beaches and galleries she escaped to the back roads of North Carolina.  She was last seen boarding a plane for Europe...her current whereabouts unknown.  This is the last picture we have of Regula..."

by Maria Hock, Ace Crime Sleuth

Our work will be on display throughout December at the James Library in Norwell, MA.

Donut War Day! Take THAT, Susan Roden! Oil, 6x6 Inches

Donut War, Donut War... No Backing Down!  Take THIS jelly, Susan Roden!  In real life, this painting has less 'florescence' on the left side of the jelly.  As I didn't see it till I got home from the studio today, I can't re-shoot the image.  Truly, I think this is one of the best 'portrait' of a jelly donut I've done.  I was so totally into the Zone, and the jelly seemed to turn into 3D before my eyes!

I have some news!  My blog and art have been reviewed by Tony Moffit of Art.Blog.Critique!  You can read it HERE. Then 'like' or subscribe to get each new one.

Also.... a new Smile for you

Click HERE for the auction site.

This was especially difficult because, well, teeth.  Do I need to say more?  Also this model's skin and lips were the SAME value!  Just a mild color change.  Learning, learning, learning...

Bismark, 6x6 Inches, Oil

$100 & $10 S&H

Have you ever had a Bismark?  Light fluffy donut filled with whipped cream and jelly - oh.my.GOD!  Well I stumbled into a Dunkin Donuts last week, and they not only decorated their own pastries, but they created this one!  I just had to paint it.  If one more sells at the Providence Art Club I will pull this one off the blog (for sale) and put it there.  The two paintings that have sold there so far are jelly donut paintings!  This one just flowed off the brush - don't you just love it when that happens?

I hope everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving.  Ours was quiet but wonderful.  One week from today (Friday) the Girls Just Wanna Paint group will be having our Opening:

And I'm making my (almost) famous sweet and sour meatballs... tiny, tender...oh, so worth it...  Come see us!

Random Mug, 6x6 inches, Oil

$100 & $10 S&H

The mugshot was painted as a demo for class last week.  Karin Jurick says people tend to forget how red skin can look - so I tried to bear that in mind.  I enjoyed keeping the brushwork strong, and just exploring the planes of the face.

Now.  Go have a nice Thanksgiving with your families.  Rest.  Try not to get caught up too much in the whole Black Friday stuff.  Enjoy!

Cover Gull, 6x6 Inches, Oil

SOLD

In 1989 the New Kids On The Block had a song titled "Cover Girl".  Well, this seagull totally thought she was 'all that'.... hence the title to the painting!

I am so very excited about Thanksgiving.  I'm taking ALL FOUR DAYS off!  This has been the busiest month ever, and I am going to be thankful, for so many things, and just bask, simply bask from Thursday to Sunday, in the glow of all the things I have.  Like a wonderful family.  Friends who are simply amazing (you know who you are!).  Pets who make me smile every day.  And the best, best job in the world.  From which I will be on  great little break!  Don't worry, I'll have a post pre-scheduled for Friday!

And when you guys send me YOUR smiles, you can go right ahead and edit the photos to just be the mouth area - just how you like it.  Thank you SO much!  And if you look HERE you can see the awesome way David Marine has set it up so you can get a super close up of the brushwork.  Amazing.

Flower Power Donut, 6x6 Inches, Oil Painting

Seriously, I had every intention of offering this for sale, but I was just notified that another of my little paintings at the Providence Art Club sold, and I have to bring it in to fill up the wall.  I dare you, go ahead and keep buying the donut and cocktail paintings in this Holiday Show, and I will keep up with you and paint new ones to fill in! :D

This is, as you are all aware, Donut War Day!  Take the flower power donut I bought today, and try to KEEP from eating it, Susan Roden!  Talk about your oooey, gooey!  There is NO defense... you just have to lick the vanilla and chocolate!

Nowwwwww... about that 'Smiley' Auction, ... it is active, and you would go HERE to bid on it!  The auction is for one week.  I hope to post another Smile soon.  I'm painting as fast as I can!  I can think of a million reasons to be thankful this week, but one, for sure, is the support of all you guys who MAKE MY DAY by commenting, following, and subscribing.  I'm going to do something nice for you - refining it.. and will post it on Thanksgiving.

Mugshot #1, 6x6 Inches, Oil

$100 & $10 S&H

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Gimmie A Smile! 3x6

This is the surprise I've been talking about... I'm working on a series of (well I'd love to say 100, but let's be realistic - just ... a LOT) smiles.  I'm planning, over the weekend, to start putting them up for auction, (On Daily Paintworks) starting at a wee price.  So you can stock up on Smiles.  Know someone who needs a Smile?  Now you know where to get them.  Info on purchase, and hopefully Smile #2 by Monday.

So... from me to you.... SMILE!

SEND me a photo of your smile, or of your favorite smile!  I will use the ones I can!  I love smiles!

Gull At The Beach, 6x6 Inches, Oil

SOLD

This painting was pure joy to paint!  I painted on a black background, I used gridding to make sure the proportions of the gull were accurate.  I used more than my usual limited palette, to enhance the gorgeous color of the water in the background.  In other words, I had FUN!

A note about the 'surprise' I'm working on - I wiped it off twice - TWICE - today!  Not going to be defeated but will continue till it is good.. and will show you then..

Oldie But Goodie

This is an old painting, long gone to a new home, of a Dunkin Iced Coffee.  The Donut War continues, as Susan Roden pumps up Starbucks (from New Mexico - I think we're playing 'where in the world is Susan...)... and I took a couple of days hiding in a foxhole of Dunkin Donuts,  recuperating from 2 incredible weeks.  When I think of it, I spent over 40 hours driving, had 5 days where I was 'going' for 12 or more hours a day, and landed home to a high intensity week of prepping for 2 holiday shows.  So, my plan was to spend a day this weekend in my bathrobe.  Well, that never happened, but it was a good weekend nonetheless!

Thank you all who went to the North River Show - they had a great turn out!  I am very happy.   

I have a new fun thing going on that I hope to share with you tomorrow!

Cairn VI, 8x8 Inches, Oil

SOLD

This was a demo from my last class.  Since then I've driven 24 hour TO Karin Jurick's Workshop, been out and about about 12 hours a day during the workshop 20 hours home, then prepping for the wonderful North River Holiday Sale - which, baby, if you've never been to one - you should GO.  This year there are artisans as well as artists.  You can really get some good deals there.  Seriously.

BUT I have also painted 6 new paintings for the Providence Art Club in December.  Today.

All paintings are framed in this show, and priced under $250.  It runs all of December.  Ok. I fell asleep TWICE while posting.  Off to walk Paco and get some sleep. :)

Old Friends, 6x6 Inches, Oil

$100 & $10 S&H

Now home from my Karin J's workshop, I'm alone and on my own in my studio.  YIKES.  Ok, I'm remembering what she talked about. I can do this!   I've got my own photos.  This one was from a painting trip to Maine -(remember, Jody?) where we painted at Pemmaquid Light(house).  These 2 women sat on a bench with a fabulous view of the ocean and rocks below.  They were traveling companions, and very comfortable with each other.  I liked the way the one on the right leans in...  Sadly, I think I actually own the same hat as the lady on the left.  :O

On Saturday and Sunday Nov. 12 and 13, at the famous North River Arts Society's Holiday Sale there is a 'Stage Sale' for larger, more 'significant' paintings.  Every artist can put in one painting.  This one is the one I submitted, below.  

Magical Moonlit Evening 12x16

And here I'd like to say 'hi' to Amber - who I met at the drop-off - thank you for supporting my blog!  I truly appreciate it!

Triple Threat Commission and North River Holiday Sale!!!

SOLD

This is a commission for a special artist friend.  Think she'll like it?

I really loved painting the reflections of the colors onto the clear Vodka bottle. :)  I'll let you know if she likes it.

Now.... drum roll... a SNEAK PEEK at my paintings that will be at the North River Arts Society  this coming Saturday and Sunday.  Many years ago I would think this was a good place to put paintings that just hadn't sold.  Now my feeling is that if I wouldn't include it if I wouldn't want to hang it in my house.  I'm pretty excited about these paintings - and they're at a discounted price for you guys (my Peeps), and every sale helps support the North River Arts Society, which is a terrific organization, that inspires and instructs, encourages and supports artists.

That being said - the hours are 10-4, Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 12 & 13 FREE!

BUT if you like to get 'dibs', you can pay $15 on Saturday and get let in at 9 p.m.  It's an Early Bird Advantage!  But don't worry, even Sunday afternoon will have plenty to choose from.  Lesser priced pieces in the bins (mine has two glittery candy canes on it!), and on the stage there are pieces from $400 and up.

ENOUGH!  Just go!  You won't be sorry!

Donut War Day! One And A Half Jelly, 6x6 Inches, Acrylic

Oooooh, Susan Roden thought I'd FORGET to post a donut for our Donut War today!  But better late than never!  I am finally home from Hilton Head - and I got a great reception from Tim, Paco, Harry The Orange Cat and Isabelle The Tortie.  3 velcro pets!  And in Hilton Head my friend Kathy Cousart gave me this wonderful present:

A painting of Tim and Paco!  I love it and so does Tim!  Are we lucky or what?

Anyway, as wonderful a paradise as Hilton Head was... be it ever so humble, there's no place like home!

Hopefully tomorrow I'll be pulled together enough to talk about what I learned from Karin!  

Mug Shot, 4x4 Inches, Oil

Oh!  Very glare-y!  Today Karin had us to mug shots.  I resisted.  I never liked the mug shots because I thought it was catching someone at the lowest point in their life.  But you know, in a workshop you do what the instructor asks, so I did it.  And you know what?  I LOVED it!  This model never moved!  And if I was a little off one thing or another - no one is going to say "Hey, that's ME and I have bigger eyes than that!"

This workshop is totally rocking.  The group is bonding and we laugh so hard our sides hurt.  AND there is serious learning going on.  I bet each of us has a story about an AHA moment.  Mine was that Karin can take a lovely photo and make it spectacular painting because she uses colors she loves.  And she has enough experience and intuition to know what colors will work with each other.  And enough guts to try them out  -  and is not devastated if they don't work.  She just goes back and tries something else.  Sounds simple, doesn't it?  Well it wasn't a 'given' for me... until now...

Painted Desert Soup at Santa Fe Cafe on Hilton Head Island... De-lish!

Three Little Graces, 8x8 Inches, Oil

Yesterday we painted from one of Karin Jurick's paintings.  Today we painted from our own.  These little girls were playing in the water at Horseneck Beach in Westport, MA this Summer.  I don't generally sell the paintings I do in a workshop because I keep them as 'lessons', and this one is no exception.  At first I loved the photo.  Then when I started drawing in, I thought "Are you CRAZY - 3 figures?  Children?"  But I grided, and grided, and grided again... and I'm pretty happy with the result.  Karin said "Cool Beans..." which, I think, is pretty great.  

After class a few of us went to lunch, but it was chilly and I had left my sweatshirt in a fast food restaurant on the way down.. so I went to get a Hilton Head Sweatshirt.  Well... lo and behold it seemed we ALL needed sweatshirts - in the same color, with coordinating hats... and then we went to take lots of photos...

Me, Maria and Linda - we figured we wouldn't 'lose' each other out taking photos on the beach...

First Painting Day, Karin Jurick Workshop

This is today's work at the workshop.  Nice expectant mom cooling off in the shallow water.  

Karin is SUCH an inspiring teacher!  I'm in gorgeous Hilton Head, SC.  It's beautiful, warm and full of great things to paint.  

Just thought everyone back home would like to know... I didn't lose ANYTHING today.  A first. :D

Today my Challenge Group posted their responses to "The James Library", where we'll be having a show starting in December.  I invite you all to come, meet us all and see over 80 of our paintings in one place - December 2 - 6-9!  Check us OUT!