Memories of San Miguel de Allende, Acrylic 16x20 by Kelley MacDonald

20x16 Acrylic - "Memories of San Miguel"

I have had this image for a while, and was terrified to start painting it.  Well, OK, I STARTED painting it in July.  Then I had some health issues that kept me away from the easel, then when all better in September I was terrified to mess it up!  Ever do that?  Well, today, after lots and rain and other things getting in the way - I attacked it and... BOOM.  It did everything I needed it to do - seriously, I couldn't even believe it!  

Paula and I had a 'Meet and Greet" this week for our upcoming trip to San Miguel, and it made me realize how MUCH I yearned for those warm beautiful colors to paint.  We still have plenty of time so if you are interested just go to our website and let us know! https://sanmiguelpaintingadventure.weebly.com

ALSO.. today... at the Hingham Community Center I will be painting a live demo with Girls Just Wanna Paint from noon - 4~  I can't tell you how much it would mean for me to have you stop by.  Meet the Girls!  Have a nibble!  I will also have some not-expensive paintings for sale for early Holiday shopping!  I simply LOVE this time of year, don't you?  

Hey, Neighbor! 12x6 inch acrylic by Kelley MacDonald

"Hey Neighbor!" 12x6 inch Acrylic

When I was a little girl, my Super Power was that I remembered every single jingle I heard on the radio or TV.  I proudly regaled my poor father and grandfather with one after another, getting applause (I think I see the problem here) after each one.  It seems in the 50's and early 60's everything for sale had a jingle.  Anyway, I don't even remember what the tune to this one is, but Narragansett Lager was local and it was the beer of choice (ok, there was always someone who came from 'away' and would drink Schlitz). I wonder what those men (and women) would think if they looked in the chilled beer section now!  Pumpkin beer, apple beer, lemon, every flavor you can think of with every crazy name to go along with it!

This month in Girls Just Wanna Paint our topic was 'local'.  So... here's my local beer.... the motto was 'Hey Neighbor, Have a 'Gansett!"

3 Little Blue Birds, 6x12, Acrylic by Kelley Carey MacDonald

"3 Little Blue Birds", 6x12 Acrylic by Kelley MacDonald

$200 plus FREE Shipping

Click HERE to make them YOURS

I bought these 3 little porcelain birds at Brimfield Antiques Fair a few years ago.  I love the shape of sparrows, and they just make me happy.  I keep them on a window ledge, like they are looking out.  I have painted them individually and together before, and each time I feel I 'know' them better. I also bought a set for a good friend, as we are both so fond of nature, birds and, well, every other animal.  Looking at them brings me peace.  I am sending this peace out to you.  Please be careful and enjoy the 4th of July.

Artist quote: 

"Art attracts us only by what it reveals of our most secret self." - Jean-Luc Godard

And please visit our website about our open Workshop in San Miguel de Allende in late February 2019.  It is a beautiful, peaceful, inspiring place to paint and I would love to share it with you.  Simply click HERE.

Calm Morning In Maine, 8x6 in acrylic by Kelley Carey MacDonald

"Calm Morning In Maine" 8x6 Acrylic by Kelley Carey MacDonald

SOLD

Our GirlsJustWannaPaint topic for this month was "CALM".  Who can't use some of THAT?  I have photographed this buoy for years at our painting retreat in Maine - something about that orange/pink buoy bobbing gently in the water just does it for me. I really enjoyed doing the 'push and pull' of the lights and darks in the water, and I intentionally abstracted the foliage on the far shore.  

As the 4th of July approaches - I wish for all of you a sense of pride, joy and CALM.  :D

Today my art quote is:
Painting is a language which cannot be replaced by another language.  I don't know what to say about what I paint, really.  - Balthus

To learn more about my upcoming painting workshop I'll be giving in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico in February, 2019, click HERE. 

Molly's Flowers, 6x12, Acrylic by Kelley Carey MacDonald

Molly's Flowers, 6x12 Acrylic.  $195 to purchase - shoot me an email at kcareymac@hotmail.com if interested. Free Shipping.

Well I am back from my annual painting trip to Maine - and what an adventure it was!  First, let me say that I REMEMBERED to pack the martini glasses, the Vodka, and the limes - but I FORGOT my painting bag!  So... misadventure after mishap got my paints mailed to me and I received them on Thursday night.  My wonderful painting buddies lent me oils, and I dared to try gouache - only I bought cheap paints because I ALREADY have a nice set of gouache (which is opaque watercolor paint) at home.  Here's a lesson - no paint at all is better than cheap paint.  This week I'll share some of the paintings I managed to do, but it was a wonderful regenerative, restorative and relaxing week with dance-till-your-legs ache friends! I sketched a lot and thought a lot and I think maybe it was IN THE CARDS that I not paint so ferociously last week.

This little painting was done on my daughter's screened in porch. It can be yours for $195 if you email me at kcareymac@hotmail.com.   I was babysitting my grand dog and grand cat and was on a high from getting our tickets for the San Miguel Painting Workshop and also our room - Paula and I are having such fun planning this!  Find out about it and see if you can join us Feb. 26 - March 1, 2019 in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.  All medium, all levels.  Check it out HERE.

A Couple Of Little Things....

"Gerbera & Statice" 6x6, Acrylic on Archival Board

Though I'm not doing small Daily Paintings I still love to paint small every once in a while, and so infrequently these will be available here on the blog.  What I am thrilled with in this painting is the looseness of the brushwork - expressive but believable.  I was very inspired by a wonderful friend, Lisa Daria Kennedy for this, and I was teaching a class where we studied her work and then painted.  I HAVE raised my 6x6 inch prices - but I have not raised them in over 10 years and I feel my skill level and experience warrants this.  Plus, I'm offering free shipping for about 6 months, so it should help!

Today my quote that I love about art is:

"If I could say it in words, there would be no need to paint it." - Edward Hopper

For information on the February 2018 workshop I will be leading with Paula Villanova in beautiful San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, please click HERE. 

"Coming Home" 20x16 Acrylic by Kelley Carey MacDonald

"Coming Home" 20x16, Acrylic  $350, email me at kcareymac@hotmail.com if interested.

So.  You know...I HATE when people start sentences with "So..."... but an update - the paintings at the North River Art In The Barn sold like wildfire.  Yay!  Which is great because I am headed north to mid-coast Maine for an annual painting trip at the end of next week!  VERY EXCITED!  Although I will miss everyone at home, it is a week of renewal, relaxing, painting and laughing.  All the artists going have been in the business for a long time and have so much to share.  And we are remote.  I mean... our phones don't work - we have to use the LAND LINE.  Good Grief~!

OK, this painting is for the GirlsJustWannaPaint post for May, the topic being:  Home.  Great topic.  HOWEVER..... I have never really had a 'home' that 'fits' me.  Fits my heart. I am happy enough that my family fits my heart and my pets fill it up too.  But though I am an architecture nut and love furniture, fabric, china, glass and carpets... my own home is not what I would paint.  So  (here I go again...)  I was in this house a while ago and I thought "I could love living here..."  and I snapped a couple of photos.  The people were waiting for the movers to move out of the country so they didn't mind. The floors, the antiques, the huge sunroom, the 2 stairways... yep... just fit me. And I didn't want this painting to be 'nudgey'... all straight lines and exact perspective.  I wanted the 'feel' I got there.  A little wonky.... like me. 

P.S. if there are typos all over this, my orange cat, Harry, kept leaping up and walking ON the keyboard.  I think I got them all.  But he would look SO great in this home....

News!

This coming weekend is the Festival at North River Arts Society.  I have a painting of a Purple Iris in the Juried Show in the GAR Hall, and 20 paintings in the Art In The Barn, at amazing prices, like the boots shown above.

I will be painting on site Saturday, and working at Art In The Barn Sunday morning, and painting in the afternoon.  I would love to see you - so if you do come, please stop by to say 'hi'!

Also.... on February 26- March 1, 2019, I will be teaching a workshop in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico - think about coming along!