"Puggie Love", 6x6 Inch Oil Painting of Pug Dog

SOLD

This Month my Challenge Group, Girls Just Wanna Paint had the topic "Love, appropriately enough for February.  I ran though the list of the usual things you'd think of - weddings, babies, romantic themes, but then.... there's this face that faces me every day, all day.  At 2:30 in the morning, if I open my eyes, this is what I see, in the dark.  First thing in the morning, last thing at night - the smile and adoring eyes never quit.  When I'm cranky, when I'm sick, when I'm annoyed (or when I'm annoying - yes, it happens) there is never a pause in the love.  Oh, Paco!

So!  As tough as it was to choose the subject, once I started it just flowed off the brush.  This painting will be seen in our group show at the Bumpus Library in Duxbury, MA in May and June.

Carnation, 6x6 Inches, Oil

SOLD

Last week at the workshop in my studio this was one of the demo's.  First we painted the image as a value study.  Then we matched the colors we applied to the values of the study.  Good to do, as it keeps you on track in terms of values.  If your values (lights and darks) are off, the painting will not have the punch you hope it will.

I don't know about you, artist friends, but I am very excited about Wednesday's Artists Helping Artists Blogtalk Radio Show at noon, EST.  Carol and David Marine have an exciting announcement.  Hopefully while I am listening I will finally paint my Girls Just Wanna Paint Challenge - nothing like waiting till the last minute!!!

Donut War Day! The End Of An Era!

All good things must come to an end, so the saying goes.  Susan Roden and I have had a wonderful time with the Donut War.  I would like to toast Susan, and wish her every success, and thank her for her friendship and sense of fun throughout our war.  Now... Peace in the Donut Zone!

No, this doesn't mean I'll stop painting donuts, don't worry!   And if you've wondered if I fell off the face of the earth last week... no... I was teaching wonderful artists at a workshop in my studio. We had SUCH a blast!  They produced some beautiful work!  See below:

 

There's more on Facebook - 'Friend' me, and take a look!

Good News/Bad News

Sunday began as a happy, happy day.  My friend and colleague, Lisa Daria Kennedy, was due to paint her 1000th consecutive painting for her blog!  We got together at Kennedy's (no relation) Gardens, a beautiful nursery in Scituate, MA.  I was late (no surprise there) and arrived just as they toasted Lisa's painting.  Check out her cheeky, fun and exuberant blog HERE.  I had about 1/2 hour to set up and get a painting done.  So I basically did an acrylic sketch of Lisa.  She doesn't really look like an elf.  She's gorgeous, funny and a fabulous painter.  Then we went to dinner at PJ's Country House where we drank (I mean ate) dinner.  We dominated the bar area - we did makeovers, shared lipsticks and played "I'll have what SHE's having..."  In short, a MEMORABLE evening.

When I got back to Sally's house and checked my email, however, I found that my friend, teacher and hero, Ros Farbush, had passed away.  She was almost 84, and still painting every day.  It hit me like a ton of bricks, as Paula Villanova and I had gone out with her the night before she left for her 3 month snowbird trip to Arizona.  We made plans to hit a nice Deli in Brookline this Spring, and agreed to have yet another Jeep Trip to Provincetown with Mary Sheehan Winn.  There seemed so much to DO with Ros this year.  Paula and I had visited Ros 3 times in San Miguel, MX for painting trips.  We all went to Holland, so Ros could paint the tulip fields.  Our blog about it, which we nicknamed "Schlepping Ros" (and she LOVED that title) is HERE.  Below are shot of Ros with Valerie Vitali, Lynn Rizotto, and Paula more, on our many, many painting days:

Ros and Paula on our last Jeep Trip...

Me, Ros and Valerie enjoying Ros' favorite Bloody Marys

We cared little for fashion when we were baking in the Ptown sun, painting...

At Ros's condo, Ros painting the Red Sox game, and (Lynn in background)

While we all painted Ros (this was mine - she laughed!)

Donut War Day! Snowball's Chance... 6x6 Inches, Acrylic

SOLD

It's Monday, and that's the Donut War Day!  Today, in honor of NO SNOW for February, I'm sending off a volley of Snow Balls (Hostess cupcakes) to Susan Roden.  Watch out for that marshmellow frosting, Susan!  And that devil's food cake cream center!  I'm painting a donation for RI Food Bank Auction, and it will be a tic tac toe design.  I'll show you this week.  In the meantime, cross your fingers for NO MORE SNOW!

Ah-love Olives! 6x6 Inches, Oil

$125 & $10 S&H

Well, that's my version of a Southern accent!  I have made so many friends from the South in the past year and I must say their accent has become quite dear to me.  And another dear thing to me is those little green olives with the red stuffing!

As a matter of fact, in my Painting Workshop next week (see top right of blog to register) we are going to be painting some of the bad boys, in and out of martini's.  Of course, I think that may make us work up a fierce thirst, and I'm thinking of a place where we can find a nice frosty one after class!  I am so looking forward to painting with these gals.  Look for more olives next week!  And more sweets - I'm working on a larger cupcake painting - maybe it'll be ready to serve up for the Donut War on Monday with Susan Roden!

Had a great group at the Blogging Workshop last night at North River - I am simply BLESSED with the fantastic people I'm meeting in my line of business!

Hilton Head Gang Week #11 Mug

NFS

"Terri Buchholz “Bones” is a nurse and uses her position to gain unsuspecting victim’s confidence.  As soon as she sees you are vulnerable she swoops in and reveals herself as an expert in the field...she shoots and then disappears into the crowd.  She can see a victim a mile away...authorities believe she has a telephoto lens that gives her access to otherwise unavailable victims.  Be on the lookout...she too...is armed and dangerous!"

Terri is an awesome artist - and you can check out her work HERE.
I found it a challenge to paint her due to the tilt of her head, but I LOVED painting her eyes and hair!


*WED NITE - Blog talk at North River Art Society in Marshfield*

Happy Valentine's Day 2012!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

From Paco and Me

*I just found out that my painting "The Cocktail Hour" sold at the Duxbury Art Association Winter Show!*

Donut War Day! Valentine Heart! 6x6 Inches, Acrylic

$125 & $10 S&H

It's Monday, Donut War Day, and Suan Roden had better DUCK!  I'm feeling better and hit my local DD's (Dunkin Donuts) for a 6-pack of heart shaped sugar volleys!  Susan is so nice and always writes little poems, and I've never even been able to recite poems OTHER people write... so I'm slinging a proper custard bomb her way.  This donut is a heart shaped Boston Cream... (or Creme), kind of a local treat.  I remember when I was a young mother, making a Boston Cream Pie from scratch - yes, it was the best we'd ever tasted, but it took ALL DAY... maybe someday I'll try it again, who knows?

Paco has sent out his Valentine cards - I thought I was done with this when my daughter hit Middle School, but noooooo... Paco has friends from BC to Wales, UK, and he NEEDED to send them love notes.  Yes, my husband says I've lost it.  The question is... WHEN did I HAVE it?  :D  Happy Day before V-day.  It's not about who loves you... it's about who you love!

xo

*My talk "Blogging Your Art Sucessfully" was rescheduled to THIS Wednesday, Feb. 15 at the North River Arts Society, Marshfield, MA*

*Sign up for my 2-Day Painting Workshop in my Warren studio at the top right of my Blog*

HH Gang Mugshot #9

I 

NFS

It is week 9 in the search for the Hilton Head Gang...the notorious members of Karin Jurick’s workshop.   The trail is still hot...so we shall continue on.  We are determined to feature one member each week until they are all accounted for.

Chris “the Moniker” Werst  comes by her alias honestly.  She misses nothing.    At beaches, Galleries, tourist attractions...She retains everything.  She is very proficient at finding out and remembering names of people, places and things.  She uses this to her advantage.  She will call your name and then act like she knows you...by the time you realize she is a stranger it is too late...you are digitally immortalized and destined to become canvas bound.  Her whereabouts is totally unknown as she does not...at this writing...have a blog.  

I am finally, FINALLY shaking the flu.  Thank you for all your emails, and well wishes - I've missed you, too!  Today, my first full day at the studio, I opened a box of 4x4 inch Gessobords and started to catch up with my Hilton Head Gang Mugshots.   Now... this woman, Chris, is BEAUTIFUL!  But it being a 'mugshot' I let her look tough, as she posed that way.  

I am REALLY digging painting mug shots.  I have to say I swore I would never enjoy it.  Shows what I know.  

Stay well, all!

*Openings available in the Workshop at my Studio in Warren, RI.

Feb. 23 & 24 - see top of column on the right side of my blog.   Email me at kcareymac@hotmail.com with questions.*

*Blogging Your Art Talk/Workshop at North River Wed., Feb. 15*

Donut War Day! White Flag Waving!

Here it is, Donut War Day~ and I'm reposting~ this painting will be part of Thayer Academy's upcoming Auction in March.  Alas, I have no 'new' painting to toss at Susan Roden... the flu had got me by the throat.  Many of you have emailed me and asked what was the reason for so few posts last week - it's a tough one, this flu!  Point goes to Susan this week absolutely!  Check out her volley here.  Hopefully it won't be too long till I'm up and painting.  You know I'm sick when I don't even THINK about it!  I missed the Duxbury Opening last night and the Providence Art Club Opening today.  WAH!

So I"m spending Sunday night curled up on my couch with all kinds of snacks and pets and Tim & I are cheering the Patriots on in the Superbowl, with raspy, coughing voices!