Donut War Ornament! 6x6 Inches, Oil AND ANOTHER GIVEAWAY!

$100 & $10 S&H

Better watch OUT, West Coast - and Susan Roden!  This donut is HARD! The donut is a little ornament.  In real life the cloth under the mug is brighter, but taking the photo after dark made it impossible to edit correctly.  I'll take one tomorrow in better light.  But the mug is just tooo cute - a special promotion by Dunkin Donuts, as is the strawberry frosted donut ornament!  And whoever purchases this painting gets the actual ornament, too. :)  I love you guys!

I had a very CHILLY studio assistant while I painted this:

He's wrapped in a blanket and tucked into his little bed at the foot of my easel.  With assorted 'babies'.

We have a few more long days getting some commissions done, then we'll be baking!

OK, here's this week's giveaway.  All you need to do is subscribe to my blog.  (you certainly can unsubscribe if need be after the giveaway - you are NEVER obligated!)   At the top right of the blog there is an place to get my posts in your inbox.  After you've received a post you just hit "REPLY" and say "I'm a subscriber and I'd like to win the Snow Globe!"  I'll announce the winner on Christmas Eve and mail it out to you (free shipping) after Christmas.

She's An OPI Red Girl, 6x6 Inches Oil Painting of Nail Polish

SOLD

 I am entrenched getting the studio ready for 'company' on Sunday - The Warren Walkabout is from 12 - 5.  Lots of good studios to check out - including Debbie Gonville Miller!  Be there or be square.   Just sayin'...

ALSO I was interviewed for a really awesome blog called Carrie's Creations, she's an excellent artist who is beautiful inside and out... and her blog features.... well I'll let you discover Stephen and Sam yourselves...  Check it out HERE.

This was a demo from class today - our topic was taking a primary color and setting it against a grayed down complementary color.  I brought lots of props but we all painted OPI Red.  I bet you know someone who is a staunch OPI Red girl!  It is quite a true red, and just lovely.

Below are a couple of students' work - all I can say is they ROCK!

OK!  Here's Lynn Puckett's

And Leslie Lawrence's (and yes they both gave me permission to post!)

Sunday Donuts, Dunkin Donuts, 5x7 Inches, Oil

SOLD

Here we are, truce over, in the Donut War with Susan Roden.  We've come back from our truce with more directed ammunition.  Dunkin Donuts vs. Starbucks - so is it about the donuts?  The coffee?  The ambiance?  East Coast vs. West Coast?  White collar vs. blue collar?  Yup.  All of it.  And we're taking it week by week, informing you all of updated ammo, plans and casualties.  This opening salvo I'm sending to California is a whole BOX of jelly donuts! OK, I had one bite and Paco had me give him a piece, too.

The most fun part of this painting?  the little 'flag' boxes on the side - Seriously!

Have a GREAT week!  I'm taking down my show from Nest, so I get to *shop* there :D.

Waterfire, 6x12 Inches, Oil

In Providence, RI, there was an effort to make the rivers in the city a place where people could come together and enjoy a safe, beautiful celebration with music, food, entertainment, and.... FIRE in the rivers!  It's wonderful, and they build fires in the brasiers in the river and they are tended by volunteers who dress in costumes, and travel in boats.  Gondolas full of people enjoying the evenings go up and down the rivers.  People sit on stairs and benches that line the river.

This painting is on 1 1/2 inch Gallery wrapped canvas.  It is reserved for an upcoming show.

AND in other news - I'm going to be giving a talk on Blogging Your Art Successfully at North River Art Society on Thursday Sept 29.  7 p.m.  Will be fun and full of good tips!  :)  Come on down! 

Waterlily, 6x6 Inches, Oil

$100 & $10 S&H

This water lily is among my favorite images.  I took the photo on a trip to San Juan Capistrano Mission where they have gorgeous fountains will lilies and koi.  Anyway, one time I was fiddling around with this image, and my husband walked up to me, and seeing the photo upside down he urged me to take a peek.  Here it is, below:

Now maybe I'm just seeing angels everywhere, but it looks angelic to me!  I wish you could see the painting in person, the whites have beautiful colors in them!

*Angels To You!*

Day's Cottage, 5x7 Inches, Acrylic

SOLD

While painting in Truro a few weeks ago, I became completely captivated by the tiny cottages on the Bay side of town.  I painted a few for my show, but I thought I'd paint another one, just for *us* in the blogsphere. I love the simple angles, the light of the sky and that silvery blue of the water.  That's where I think I'd like to be today.  In a beach chair with a book.   Except I'd probably ALSO have my sketchbook, some watercolors, my painting backpack, camera, some fruit, and iced tea... I complicate everything!  That's why I like to paint these simple images... it's what I WANT, not how I live. :)

Birds On A Fence, 12x12 Mixed Media

This is another for my show at Nest in Dedham, for the month of September.  I painted on the Cape last week for a few days, and on our way home, Sally Dean and I attended a talk on mixed media by artist Mary Moquin, who is one of my favorites.  She is doing oil and cold wax medium work, and I was completely inspired.  So I picked up some cold wax and mixed it with my oil paint in this.  It makes the paint thicker and 'waxy', and leaves it a little translucent. Still fiddling around and working it out, but I was happy with how this came out.

Sweet Jelly Donuts, 5x5 inch Oil painting by Kelley MacDonald

SOLD

As I told Susan Roden regarding our Monday Donut War... I'm a day late and a dollar short - but I'm blaming the hurricane!  Could not BUY a donut on Sunday, and today, truly, it was above and beyond the call of duty just finding a donut shop that was not sold out!  The towns next to me were still without power, so those shops were closed.  The town where my studio is - I kid you not - had a police officer directing people in and out of the chock full Dunkin Donuts lot - the line to get IN was 5 cars long on the road...  the next one - closed.  The first open one had (literally) one bagel, one cookie and one croissant - no donuts left.  You see, in the towns where people had no power, they could not get coffee - so they drove to towns WITH power.  

I ended up driving THREE hours, searching 4 towns - then actually calling ahead to secure my jelly donuts - but I always get my donuts, and here they are.  They will be in the show at Nest, starting Labor Day Weekend, in Dedham Center.  Opening 9/10 from 4-7.

And for all you guys who see our 'War' and want to paint donuts - PAINT them!!!!  We don't 'own' the subject, and I promise you, you will have fun!

Kenny II, 6x6 Inches, Oil Painting

$100 & $10 S&H

This guy is a model for my Girls Just Wanna Paint Group.  He's so adorable.  But I do love the close up!  One thing - kitty paws are really awesome to paint - I think I'm going to do one more - of him on his back - he is a HAM!

Beavertail State Park View, 8x10, Oil

SOLD

Today the Painting Safari went to Jamestown, RI.  This is a view from the rocks on the side of the lighthouse.   What I loved painting was the changing colors of the water, and those gorgeous puffy clouds!

To clarify something - this is the weekend for the South Coast Open Studio Tour -  but I am not participating this July.  I WILL, however, will be open in August - and it will be fanTAStic.  This weekend, however, I will be visiting as many studios that I can! 

Also, below is a commission I just finished for my daughter's boyfriend's birthday:  It is he and Molly last Derby Day:

YUM! Chocolate Frosted Donut, 6x6 Inches, Oil

SOLD

Ooooey Goooey frosting, and I sent this guy back to get EXTRA frosting.  My theory is this:  If someone actually decides that they will purchase a frosted donut, DON'T skimp on the frosting.

Anyway I am happy to announce that I have been asked to join the DailyPainters.com group - and I am thrilled, thrilled, thrilled!  I have long had it as one of my artistic goals to be part of this group.  By Monday night I hope to have the widget link on the side of my blog that will take you right there!

Also, Susan Roden and I have been talking about re-igniting the Donut War!  She and I are passionate about these comely balls of fried dough, and will soon be slinging the jelly and frosting from coast to coast - me, being the East, and she being a CA resident!

I don't know what the weather has been like for you guys, wherever you are, but here in RI we have nothing to complain about.  It was a perfect weekend.  And I got a new PINK hydrangea plant.  I Luuuurve it!

Christmas Cove, 8x8 Inches, Oil

Christmas Cove, 8x8 Inches

I am a little technologically challenged here at our retreat in Maine!  I have to drive into the Post Office parking lot to make a call from my cell phone, and make a 1/2 hour trip to the closest wi-fi.   I just loved this little painting I got done the other morning.  The light was perfect and it just seemed to flow.  I don't sell the paintings I do on these trips, they are way better than postcards.

It's like a girls' camp here.  We paint, we read, we tell stories, and eat very well!  We are all lavishing attention on 'Maurice', as we call him (better than 'Hitler, regardless of the mustache!), who literally 'laps it all up'.

Everywhere I look is a painting.
Oh, yeah, and I was almost eaten by a lobster - they're BIG up here!

**forgive me for not responding to comments or emails - I have no internet connection and have to drive a long way to get one....I'll be home soon!**

Happy Anniversary Toast, 6x6 Inches, Oil

SOLD

Lots of people (me included) have anniversaries this month.  We've been so busy that we're putting off the actual *celebration* (read: Al Forno's for dinner) till July, but I can be sure Tim will make me one of his Signature Martini's on the 24th, which is our Day.  I want to say Happy Anniversary to all you out there who also celebrate this month.  Hey, I'm so into painting the olives this week I just couldn't help myself.  Next week it'll be the rocks and wilds of Maine.  So.... Cheers to ALL my blog readers!

And.... remember I did the 'giveaway' of the Kelley's Jellies T-shirt? Here it is!  Sheila from CA won it, and I was thrilled because I've been a fan of HERS for a long time!  Check her blog out!

Peppermints, 6x6 Inches, Oil

SOLD

I had so many things to paint, but I couldn't decide.    So I grabbed my little peppermints and painted them.  I just love the shapes and colors of them.  And then there's the celpohane...:)

Sheila from California won the "I Love Kelley's Jellies" T-shirt!  I'll do another giveaway - when I hit 200 subscribers.  Hopefully soon!

Ugh... just read that we have severe thunderstorms and rain and hail are moving through our area.  I left every window in the studio open so the night air would drift in, nice and cool, for my class today.... uh, oh!

Fiesta, 6x6 Inch, Oil

SOLD

This is in response to Carol Marine's Daily Paintworks Challenge.  I used a triad color combination: blue/green, orange and red.  And speaking of 'challenges', Linda Popple responded to my own challenge to paint the Eiffel Tower from my photo.  She did a fabulous job!  Here it is, below!

Maggie's Day (NYC Carriage Horse) 6x6 Inches, Acrylic

$100 & $10 S&H

I'll admit to being a bit of a spoilsport about stuff like this, but even though I desperately wanted to go for a carriage ride in Central Park, I insisted on picking a driver who was kind to his horse.  You see them shoving and yanking the horses into a parking line - never patting them, never talking to them, never making eye contact.  Yeah, that's right, I said eye contact.  Ever since I was a child I sort of blurred the lines between people and animals - and the term 'beasts of burden' just makes me cringe.  I see that we need animals to help us with things - but it doesn't kill us to be kind or grateful that their lives are subject to our will.  OoooooooK!  Getting off the soap box!

I loved the design of this, and the straps were something I didn't notice until I started painting.  I actually eliminated a couple of straps and checks - really - do we need to tie their heads in 5 ways?  But this is Maggie, and her driver was caring and kind to her. Just why there was this pouffy thing on her head I don't know, but it did catch your eyes!

The House On The Rocks, 6x6 Inches, Oil

SOLD

As you go over the Newport Bridge towards the island of Jamestown, RI, if you look to the left you will see, perched on a tiny island of rocks, this beautiful house.  It is, in good weather, surrounded by sailboats, with the lights of the bridge (the Pell Bridge is the actual name, although I've never heard anyone call it anything but the Newport Bridge) serenading it in the evening.  I imagine living there, with no car to pop into to run errands, being isolated and surrounded on every side by views of the water, Jamestown, the West Bay, and Aquidneck Island (Newport +).  I took this shot on a hazy day - everything was kind of blue - it was hot AND overcast.  What I enjoyed were the close values, with the hulking house dark and dominating the scene.  The challenges of painting architecture are exciting to me.  I don't know why I don't do it more!

Chocolate Frosted with Sprinkles, 6x6 Inches, Oil

SOLD

I knew I had a commission for a chocolate frosted, sprinkled donut, and while in New York at Penn Station last weekend, I spied the most delectable specimen I've ever seen.  Bought it right there.  I also go a Krispy Kreme mug, with a ceramic donut inside - to be painted later.  The was such a joy to paint. I'm not just saying that - I've really come to appreciate the nuances of fried dough, gleaming chocolate frosting, and the shadow side of a donut.  

I know they're not health foods, but they're simple, and they are just what they are.  And kids smile when they get one in their hands - that's got to be good!

I hope you all are having a happy week so far!

Below is a better color shot of my Pink-a-licious painting:

Reports Of My Demise Have Been Greatly Exaggerated

"Spectaular" 

5x5 inches

Reserved

This is a scene I've painted before, but every time it comes out just a little different.  It is possible this may be for sale - there is a customer who has first dibs on it - so if you're interested check in mid week next week, it may be available.

This is the view across the Sakonnet River, with the sun setting over Aquidneck Island, RI.  The cloud cover cracks open, and light streams down, and the sun sets illuminating the underside of the cloud.  Gets me every time.    I love the shimmer of the colors in the water.  Could I ever live without this view? Sure.  But I'd have hundreds of paintings of this no matter what!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

I'm in NYC for a couple of days (and have had some personal issues that kept me away from the blogsphere for 7 whole days!) so I apologize for my absence, and I hope you all understand the craziness that our personal lives sometimes impose on us keeping us from our easels!

Below is the inspiration for a commission I'm working on.  When I arrive at Penn Station where do you think I head?  Krispy Kreme, of course!!!!  And being New Yorkers they feel compelled to tell us how many calories are in each kind of donut - you know, so you can choose the Original Glazed rather than the Chocolate Frosted Creme filled - for health reasons!!!

Cozy Under The Eaves, 6x6 Inch, Oil

SOLD

This morning my class will work on making a painting with a photograph as their reference.  I don't want them to copy exactly, rather to make a good painting out of what they see in a photograph.  As a girl I wished I had a bed tucked under an eave. When I saw a photograph of this setting in a magazine I knew I had to paint it.  The colors remind me of the artist Carl Larsson.  Wouldn't you like to take the book from the nightstand and curl up against those pillows?