Starry, Starry Night, 8x8 Inch Oil Painting byKelley MacDonald

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This month the Girls Just Wanna Paint Challenge is to "Paint Like Van Gogh".  I thought this was a fairly brilliant topic, as I am a huge fan of Vincent.  But what really happened, when I tried to copy (a portion of) Starry Night, what that I LEARNED so much!  At first I thought it was going to be easy-peasy - what's so hard about blobbing paint on the panel or canvas, right?

Well!  He was a spot-on-master of value, for all his fame about color.  And if you think it's easy (as I did) getting that thick paint to lay down on top of other thick strokes, you've got another think coming!  Ah.... I love it when I'm learning and painting.  So... check out the other Girls' paintings HERE.  I think you'll enjoy it!  Hey - it's December.... Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit (for good luck!).

Enjoy the Season... what ever your family's traditions are!

Long time no blog!  Well, between the holiday and family birthdays and a couple of days of outside work and still getting ready for all the holiday shows (last paintings will be delivered for a Tiverton Show this weekend!), framing, varnishing, delivering, etc.... I apologize!  I WILL have a post tomorrow - it's totally out of (my) character - we'll see if you like it!

I was been lucky enough to be invited to a 'Sketch and Sip' evening at Nancy Colella's with a couple of other artists (who are AWESOME, you should definitely check out their work)... Joanne Chittick and Sue Dragoo Lembo.  We did what is called 'Contour drawings' (just lines) and there were 'blind' and 'not blind' drawings.  Blind drawings were ones where you looked at the subject and NEVER lifted your pen off the page.  Then we moved on to where you COULD lift your pen, reposition it (for, example to move it to the eye area) etc. etc.  Here are some from that evening:

The evening was hilarious, and filled with congeniality, and I felt honored to chat with these women about artist blocks, shows, galleries, and all sorts of things you think about alone in your studio.  The food, as well, was fabulous, and I have a new recipe to try:  Tortilla Soup!  I'll let you know how I do!

Calling Bonnie!

Well, we had a wonderful Open House Sunday at the Art Stable Gallery - lots of wonderful collectors picked up fabulous new paintings and we all made new friends and connections, and just ... well.. see a photo, below, of all of us artists (and one little artist elf) apres party!

Anyway... I met a wonderful woman named Bonnie, who was interested in the painting of the labs, above.  I got her first name and her email address - which keeps bouncing back.  I know Bonnie's daughter checks in on my blog, and I would ask that she ask her mom to email me at kcareymac@hotmail.com!  I don't know why I didn't get her phone number, but these events are very hectic.  We all need to bring in new work to re-fill the walls at the Gallery - as we are open until Christmas!!!  Thank you thank you all who came - it was great to meet you!

Correction!

OOOOppppps - the time for the Sunday, Nov. 18th Open House at The Art Stable Gallery, in Westport, MA is from 2-5 - heaven help me, I wrote 12-4 yesterday.  Sure, we will be OPEN at 12 but our festivities will begin at 2 p.m.!!!!  This handsome couple will be on display.  The artists will be recognizable because we will be wearing Holiday Hats.  Yes, it was my idea.  It's possible I'll be drummed out for it.  :)

I'd so love to meet you all!  I met a woman today, as I was visiting my friend Page Railsback at HER Open Studio today, who follows my blog.  It is always so wonderful to meet my 'friends' from the blog world.  Please, if you ever are around, introduce yourself.  It'll be great to meet you. 

And now... your moment of Zen....

Paco loves you, and will happily be your best friend... should you meet him!

Winter Blues, 12x24 Inch Acrylic Painting by Kelley MacDonald

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This triptych is going to be one of the new works at the Art Stable Gallery Open House this coming Sunday from 12-4~  I'd so love to see you - and show you this awesome gallery.

We've hung lots and lots of new work.  We are a busy group~!  

Yellow Spider Mum, 5x7 Inches, Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

$100 $ $10 S&H

It's just been delightful weather here in Rhode Island.  Today I think it's 65 degrees!  Flowery kind of weather, but my garden fell to a frost last week.  It's such a busy time of year - hey.. OK girlfriends.... when ISN'T it a busy time of the year?  Ever wonder?

Well, with pumpkin bread in the oven and the sun setting early, it's a lovely Fall day.  Paco and I took full advantage of it when we went to Fall River to drop off a donation to the Fall River Historical Society.  We walked for blocks - scampered, actually, in the leaves.  While we like tidy yards and streets, we can't help ourselves when we see piles of leaves!!!

Maine

This is the larger piece I submitted for the North River Arts Society's Holiday Sale this weekend!  It will be on the stage with the larger works.  I know this is always such a HOT event, I hope you all have fun!

This is what my bin will look like....  and it will have these paintings and more.  

ENJOY!  Feel Merry!

North River Arts Holiday Sale!

This is a group that is near and dear to my heart.  I like to participate in it for 2 reasons

1) it gives me a chance to offer you a 'sale', that's not on my blog and 2) every sale includes a commission to the NRAS, which I consider a donation from me for all they've done for me and my art career.  I sincerely have never run into an organization that is so good to their artists.  They offer support, venues to show and sell your work, instruction of the highest level.  And they are a great bunch of people.  It's so FUN and the atmosphere is so CHARGED!  You can get fabulous deals on all kinds of art.  And on the stage is a place where every artist is allowed to offer one 'big' piece (over $400), but we are encouraged to be generous with our pricing - and we are!

Oh, grab a friend or your spouse and head to the North River, at 157 Old Main Street in Marshfield, MA this weekend.  You'll be glad you did.

Happy Guy, 6x6 Oil Painting of a Seagull by Kelley MacDonald

$100 & $10 S&H

The skies are blue, the wind is calm, he's just cracked a nice big clam and has a full belly.  Things are good for this seagull!  He survived Hurricane Sandy, and has no idea a new storm is coming our way.  Lives in the moment, he does.  Maybe it's a better way... worry wears us out, and rarely prevents the stuff we fear from arriving, anyway.

I'm going to take a page from his book, and try, just for today... to put the worry away.  

Here's last night's show:

And a reminder:

Heading Home, 6x6 Inch Oil Painting Of A Sailboat by Kelley MacDonald

$100 & $10 S&H

I hope you enjoy this favorite moment of mine.. I just love to watch the sailboats heading back home after a beautiful day on the water.  This was a demo today from the class "Making A Painting From A Photograph".

I've been having a little issue with my blog host scrambling my HTML for my PayPal buttons.  I believe I have fixed all the broken ones, but if you ever have a problem, just email me and we'll work it out...

I will be a 'Gallerina' at the Art Stable Gallery this Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. - demoing if it's not too busy!  Come see me!  865 Main Road, Westport, MA

Interrupted, 6x6 Inch Oil Painting of Horses by Kelley MacDonald

$100 & $10 S&H

These three horses seemed to be in deep conversation when I came upon them at Wild Horse Ranch in Arizona a few years ago.  Every once in a while I try to paint them, as I have always loved horses (from afar) and I hope someday to be doing more of these.    Below is a small piece I did in preparation for a commission - I love these dogs' happy faces!  This 6x6 inch piece will most likely show it's face at a Holiday venue.  I'll let you know which one...:)