All Of The Tulips, 6x6 Inch Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

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The last of these gorgeous tulips.  Now I'm itching for other colored tulips.  I've never painted white ones, so there's that, but I do love the orange ones, and then the yellow ones always 'get to' me....  We'll see what looks good when I shop!

Happy Easter, Passover, whatever holiday you observe.  I'm going to try for an Easter without chocolate (I know, right?  What's the point - kidding!).    

Well, I'm thinking that the warmer weather will bring some fun plein air painting.  I'm going to do a 'Safari' again this Spring/Summer, where we go to a different location each week, with a demo, painting and then a supportive critique.  Also, if you are in the Boston/South Shore area and are interested in a one-day Plein Air Workshop, I'm thinking of putting one together.  email me at kcareymac@hotmail.com.  Again... FUN!

Also I have room for maybe one more person in my Saturday class, it's ongoing and there are some very cool people you would love to paint with in it!  10-1 at my Warren Studio.  Just email me to let me know you're coming.  It's week-to-week, $25 each.

Pussy Willow Shimmer, 6x6 Inch Acrylic Painting by Kelley MacDonald

$100 & $10 S&H

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Loving my pussy willows still... and in this painting I decided to use a bright gold metallic paint for the background. I love the way the blueish pussy willows stand out against it.  Just exploring paint and shapes and design.

Saw sunshine today.  Took THREE walks.  Ahhhhhhhh... I am SO ready for Spring this year!

Pussy Willows, 6x6 Inch Acrylic Painting by Kelley MacDonald

$100 & $10 S&H

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Pussy Willows are always a favorite of mine.  And though I FELT like painting daffodils today what I HAD was pussy willows!  I love them because they last, literally, for years.  And because they are soft, like little kitties!  And I know I told you this before, but when I was a child and we were not allowed to have pets in our apartment, I collected these, took them off the stems, named them, and took them everywhere with me.  They were the perfect pets, really. Never had to feed them, walk them, they were quiet and very amenable. 

Also, they bloom around the time of year that my Dad passed away.  So I think of him when I look at them.  

I loved layering the acrylics here.  I want to tell everyone that when you switch mediums, say from watercolor to oil, or to acrylic - give it a while so you get the hang of how they 'act'.  Don't dismiss them immediately.  I struggled to get acrylics to do what I want - for such a long time.  And even now every once in a while.  But then they'll do something wonderful and surprising that you hadn't expected, and there you go.  Your own little miracle.

I hope you all are getting a little Spring...

The Gift Of Tulips, 4x4 Inch Acrylic Painting by Kelley MacDonald

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I can't resist these tulips!  YES I have a list of paintings I'm working on or should be working on, but this little 4x4 inch panel just snuck up on my easel!  

We had snow yesterday, Thursday, but it was beautiful.  All the more beautiful, I think, because at this time of year we know it won't last!!!  

I'm doing the 21 Day Meditation with Oprah and Deepak... I'm not usually into them, but I tried the first one today (yeah, I have some catching up to do) and it was wonderful.  Anybody else have tears stream down their faces when they meditate?  It's just such a safe and loving place.... anyway.

ALSO - hey... maybe you're not an artist.  Maybe you have friends you like to spend time with. ?

I'm doing these Art Parties... on Thursdays, or by appt.  BYOB, we supply the art supplies and smiles for you.  You can book the whole night, or just COME ON BY.  First one is Martini Madness...  Next month:  April In Paris....

Spring In My Heart, 6x6 Inch Acrylic Painting by Kelley MacDonald

$100 & $10 S&H

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I don't know about you, but when someone gives me flowers it's as if they are here, with me, as long as the flowers last.  My dear friend,  fellow Girls Just Wanna Paint artist, and all around fabulous artist Sally Dean Mello, gave me these gorgeous tulips, and I can HEAR her here with me, although she lives an hour away.  I was compelled to paint them.  As I was sketching it out, I got a text message - you guessed it, from Sally.  We had a lively conversation through the ENTIRE time I was painting, all via texts.  She had no idea that I was painting the gift she gave me, but it was very special to me that her spirit was with me, lifting, encouraging, making me laugh... 

Flowers are a wonderful gift. Friendships are a wonderful gift, too.

I wish you all an abundance of both...

Heat #1, 4x4 Inch Acrylic Painting by Kelley MacDonald

$65 & $10 S&H

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I've been working on a series of smaller abstracts, 4x4 inches, in all warm colors on panels.  This is an iridescent   metallic gold with red, ochre, warm yellow and sunset orange.  I'm hoping that it 'calls' to the seasons and brings Spring here quicker!!!  I love this series because you can turn them in every direction and they 'work'.  they even 'work' next to one another, if they were framed together.  Small, but with a lot of punch.  I feel these color pushing up against each other, with hot red spilling out in the cracks, hot, hot, hot.

Evening Enchantment, 6x6 Inch Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

$100 & $10 S&H

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A thousand times I could view it, and a thousand times I could paint it, and I would never, ever tire of the pink glow at sunset in Hull, MA.  Looking west with the peninsula tapering out off to the right, then into Boston Harbor, I am simply enchanted by the pinky orange glow that reflects on the wet sand of Nantasket Beach.  Every time I paint it I commit it more to heart.  I can always use a spot of sunset colors wherever I am and whatever time of day it is.

Some say only God can make a great sunset.  Some say after that only a photograph is worth it.  But I think back on the lovely glows captured by artists through time: Monet, Van Gogh, Fitz Hugh Lane, Emile Gruppe, Kevin MacPherson, etc. etc. etc.  I like painting, so I guess I like painted sunsets.  

Honey, I'm Home... 8x10 Inch Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

In Honor Of My Birthday Special:

$175 & $10 S&H

(8x10's normally are $300 unframed, so... )

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Another in a series, and the first step up from small to medium size.  I'm going to go bigger with these, I just love them.  I love the loosened tie, the 'tired' shirt after a long day... the whole 'Honey, I'm home!' attitude. When we were painting these the other day at class, someone said that this would look great in a man's dressing area, or his room, or bathroom.  I think so too!  I fortunately have a husband with lots of shirts and fabulous ties, so my 'models' await....

This is oil on panel, btw.

Into The Wave, 6x6 Inch Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

$100 & $10 S&h

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I've been thinking of all the images I have that seem to have a common thread - I seem to be a big fan of kids at the beach, and so I'm trying to work up a series of larger pieces for this year's body of work.  This one, well, I just love (and admire) his exuberance!  I love watching people run headlong into the waves (my husband is this type).  I'm more the inch-by-inch type in the ocean.  I'd LIKE to be brave, but I worry - will I step on a shell?  A jellyfish?  Feel something 'icky' swim against my leg?  Is that seaweed?  What if there's a sharp drop?  etc.

Maybe I'm more of a pool swimmer, but I do love the ocean.  The sound of it, the smell of it, the endless waves.....

And I'm liking this tow-head's red swimsuit, too ;D

Wishes, 6x6 Inch Acrylic Painting by Kelley MacDonald

$100 & $10 S&H

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Well, on my birthday (Thursday, the 14th) I kind of took it easy.  Had a nice breakfast with an artist friend in the studio, painted, shipped, had lunner (lunch and dinner mix) of Chinese food with my husband, and then painted, while cupcakes were being made for me at home.

I think the folks at Edible Arrangements probably are curious as to what type of fruit diet I am on, considering the prodigious amounts they delivered in multiples to my address.  Seriously, come on over, I've got a chocolate dipped pineapple flower with your name on it! :D

This little painting is looser than my 'normal' style, which I am working on.  It seems I've been getting tighter and tighter, and unless I want to go into photorealism (lovely, but not for me) I need to practice getting and staying loose.  We'll see how this works out.  I got this little bottle at my annual pilgrimage to the Brimfield fair.  Can't wait to see what colors they have this year!

Mints On Pink, 6x6 Inch Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

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I had the most fun in the studio today.  For some reason there was NOTHING else (well, housework, yeah, but that'll be there beyond death, you know?) to do today, so Paco and I slipped off to the studio. I worked on EIGHT paintings.  Paco chased a patch of sunlight, and could not understand why it kept moving, and he'd have to go find it again to take another nap (this is so very unlike him - so DOG-like, to sleep on the floor... I think it's his first nap on the floor EVER).

And then I am still determined to work on figures, and I am my own free model...

And I definitely see improvement - although isn't it funny how cross you look when you paint yourself!?!

Here's To You, 6x6 Inch Acrylic Painting by Kelley MacDonald

Just fooling around today, on this 2nd snow day of the week.. and thought I'd have some fun with my acrylic paints.  This has layers and layers of fun colors, and the green martini is a real Girls Night Out kind of drink!

I'm reaaaaallly getting sick of winter, the pretty snow has lost all it's appeal to me as I try to get my little pug to walk in belly-deep snow.... we both need a blast of sunshine!  Hope you and yours have been safe during this latest round of storms...

Did I tell you that I'm making my Saturday class more of an 'ongoing' thing, rather than 8 weeks here, 10 weeks there?  Yup.  $25 for the day - and you don't have to reserve a spot, but it's nice for me to know how many to set up for.  People bring snacks, and we have a break where we look at work we've done between classes, for critiques - or just to show.  Come on down! :)

10-1 Saturdays, 32 Cole Street, Warren, RI

New Mexico Memory, 6x6 Inch Acrylic Painting by Kelley MacDonald

$100 & $10 S&H

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Ever been to Santa Fe?  It's a place I've been to twice, and each time I fall more in love with it.  "What about 'no ocean'?" my husband asks, knowing how I love the Atlantic.  Well, I'll tell you, there's something magical about the mountains in New Mexico, and that big, colorful sky.  This is from a moment in the early misty hours of dawn.  Looks like a day when anything could happen.  A day of promise ahead.  A dream could come true.... that's a good memory of anywhere, but New Mexico is where it comes from...

A Tale Of Two Me's

Kind of two sides to the same coin... but the bottom one (dark background) was done after looking in the mirror and then walking into the other room to my easel and painting from memory.  The top one I did in front of a mirror.  You know, when you feel like painting people, and are all alone - you are a model can always convince to 'sit' for you.  I look, actually, like a combo of the two of these.  The top one, done in acrylic, I like better, except for the Jay Leno - type jaw.  I give myself a little break for the bottom one, as I said, because I was working from MEMORY.  We did this exercise in my class at the Providence Art Club.  The students did an amazing job - I can't believe I forgot to photograph their work!

Seagulll II, 6x6 Inch Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

$100 & $10 S&H

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I am really getting into these seagull paintings.  I love how they're just black, white and gray with yellow beaks, pinkish legs and a bright red dot on their bottom beak!

And they can be placid or crazy looking, like here.  It was fun painting the action shot.  Had a busy day in the studio today.  In order to put off making ONE phone call I worked on 8, count 'em, EIGHT paintings.  Finished 2.  Started one new one.  If this keeps up, making my goal for Spring/Summer inventory will be a snap!

I'm giving a talk at the North River Arts Society in Marshfield on Wednesday night.  The topic:  Blogging Your Art Successfully.  Come on over - I love to share info!

One Leg Up Sea Gull, 8x8 Inch Acrylic Painting by Kelley MacDonald

$150 $ $10 S&H

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I love the gulls.  I love photos of gulls, and paintings of gulls, particularly Jamie Wyeth's.

So, be advised, there will be many showing up here... in different formats, medium and style!

On a very fun note, I can say now, one of my cocktail paintings, of an Old Fashioned, (below) went to a 50th birthday party on Saturday.  Sounds like a feisty party in Louisiana - and was presented, I believe, on a 'party trolley'.  It was rushed there to be on time, and I can tell you I was thrilled to get the call from LA that "The Eagle has landed..." so I knew the Birthday Boy would get a painting of his favorite beverage.  How fun!