Live A Little, 8x10 inch Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

A morning on the placid lake.... Loon ooodling in the distance, sun just hitting the tops of trees... Blood pressure dropping..... I am utterly enchanted, reveling in art time, girlfriend time, peace time. No TV, phone ringer silenced, reaching deep inside for true inspiration and centering. I can't believe it's already Thursday. I am geared up to do my Challenge painting tomorrow.....

Sweet Life, 8x10 oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

So blessed to have some time on a lovely little lake in Maine this week. Traveling with Paco has it's moments but for the most part we are Content (capital intended). Vast views, quiet, loons and a schedule of exactly NOTHING.... To rejuvenate, reconnect with friends, and try things out on my canvas. I am grateful.

3 women, 2 dogs and a million memorable moments......

Today was the first day of August Open Studios.  Why, you ask, would someone put themselves through the agony and tremendous work TWICE in a summer?  Well, for one thing if I wasn't open this weekend I would have missed meeting fabulous painter and blogger Fay Terry!  I've been following her work for a looooong time, enjoying every post.  She's up this way from North Carolina, and meeting her in person was beyond beyond.  Sweet, kind, fun, (SO fun) and talented, it felt like I'd known her a long time.  I hope she enjoys her time in New England, and comes back again soon!

And this is what my fortune cookie said last night. So... I won't.

Fun, funky and returning friends came today.  At least 2 people told me they read my blog faithfully - one said it "makes her morning"... another said when she wakes up she HOPES I've posted.....  (and one person said I'm even nicer in person... thanks ;)

I had my trusted friend Jane by my side.  She knows almost as much about my journey as I do, and she handles every sale with aplomb.  Nothing throws her.  Not a non-cooperating Square credit card reader, not lack of change, not oversized work being sold or dogs growling at her feet.  Yes Paco... growled because the chew toy he STOLE from my son's dog suddenly was very precious...

Well, Sunday is another day!  New friends to see and meet!  I love it that people were taking advantage of the chairs I put out on my front lawn... many people sat and looked at the water after stopping by.  A great way to wrap up a visit, I think!

(two of these paintings are still available...)

Final Open Studio for the Summer!

I have some new pieces, and new studies as well... I am so excited by the volume of people who have let me know they are coming!  It's so easy to start at my studio and then visit tons of other artists, or go have a great lunch, tour the South Coast area....

Take Route 24 South into Rhode Island

Take Exit 5

Go Left off the exit about a mile

#1888 is on the Left, right after Cumberland Farms, 

and Coastal Roasters

I'm #9 on the map - which is irrelevant ...there is no rhyme or reason for the numbering

*I am the FIRST Studio you will encounter on Main Road*

Box O Donuts, 12x12 inch oil painting by Kelley MacDonald

Ahhhh... We had a session and these were the 'runners up' that didn't get picked for paintings... so I gave them their own 'crowd shot'...  A bit of glare on the photo, but... hey, it's too late now that I've noticed it to take a new photo. I loved painting these donuts - I let myself be a bit more expressive than normal, and you know what?  It felt great!

I am ready!  For the Open Studio this weekend.  I have a number of new paintings, both in the 'Studies At Reasonable Prices' area, and the 'New Work for Shows, etc.' area. :)

I'm so looking forward to seeing everyone!  Good weather is predicted.  Donuts will be available (till they run out!) on Saturday!  Paco, Harry & Isabelle have promised - NO PET DRAMA this weekend!

Sakonnet Glow, 12x12 oil painting by Kelley MacDonald

This painting is featured this week (maybe 2) on the main wall at the Art Stable Gallery.  It's a white wall and I'm beyond thrilled to have my 3 Coastal Skies paintings on it (see below)

I am madly painting and prepping for my upcoming Open Studio Tour as part of the South Coast Open Studio Tour.  There are 2 during the summer and this is the final one.  The top painting is available via the blog as well - email me for info, it is 12x12 inches on a cradled board.  

I've had a weekend of animal mishaps and it has swibbled my mind.  My beloved orange kitty was sick on Friday, Paco my Pug played Houdini and escaped on Saturday, running into busy traffic on Main Road, and Sunday morning a neighbor's dog broke free and did what Paco did in front of our house, but wasn't as lucky as Paco and got his lead caught under a car.  Survived, though, and that's what's important.  So... it's been hard to concentrate and I'm a bit behind.  Wish me a clear head this week!

Right now.... there's a meteor shower....

Sweet! 6x6 Inch Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

SOLD

Well, maybe all these donuts look alike to you... but I guess, like a mother, they look unique to me!  Today I went to not one, but two different donut shops and drove the poor girls crazy selecting the perfect donuts to paint.  I have another Open Studio coming up in 2 weeks, at the South Coast Open Studio Tour for August (the 17th and 18th) and I know for sure I'll have friends from the blog and from Facebook, looking for donuts to satisfy their sweet tooth!  So today was pretty intense!  I did this 6x6, then a 10x10 inch, below.... (this one includes a CREAM and jelly donut... yes, Paco & I took a bite out of this one)

Then, just before cleaning up for the day.... I grabbed a 12x12 inch canvas and belted this one out, below:

This one is not the best photography job.... it's far, far better in person, and if I think to do it I'll re-photograph tomorrow.

Oh, The Places You'll Go.... 6x6 Inch Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

This month my Challenge Group is painting "Travel", and I love the look of old-type suitcases. Back in the day, I guess, when we didn't pack all the comforts of home!  I  love suitcases, and the whole thought behind them, that armed with a suitcase or two, you can go to exotic locations, learn about a different culture, visit beautiful sites you'd always dreamed of.  I think everyone should visit as many places as they can, inside the USA and out.  I'm dreaming of France these days, but I've had many wonderful trips,.... and btw - my art equipment needs it's own bag!

Visit all the Painting Girls' take on 'Travel' HERE.  These paintings will be available and on view for our Girls Just Wanna Paint Show at Thayer Academy - in mid November....