Miss Chloe, 6x6 Inch Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

This sweet girl is near and dear to the heart of someone who lives near me in the summertime.  I am a sucker for the expressive face on a dachshund!  This painting is going to it's home this week, and I am thrilled to have had the privilege to paint her.

Pets make such a difference in our lives.  They lower our blood pressure (although sometimes, I'm certain mine RAISE mine), are constant and nonjudgmental. They're warm and snuggly and they look at us as if we are the best things in the world. They forgive our shortcomings, our mistakes, our foibles. This weekend I'm babysitting Charlie the Klee-Kai, my son's dog (sort of a mini- husky).  And he's just about perfect.  Well, 'christening' the drapes aside, that is.  I'm forgiving him just like he'd forgive me.  (although, truly I've never been inclined to do anything like that to drapery…)

Red Scarf Pug, 6x6 Inch Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

SOLD

Oh.  Yes I've been very bad.  Between work, teaching and being sick last week, I ended up TWO short in my 30x30 paintings!  So I did the value study painting below, yesterday, and it's COUNTING, and today I did the pug above.  This is my pug, who will not wear clothing for dogs.  Apparently my husband's scarf is acceptable.  Don't tell my husband I wrap the dog in his scarf, OK?  

I'm exceptionally happy with this painting, because it's more than a pug, it's a painting.  Do  you know what I mean?  Even if you squint and sort of lose the whole dog-thing, I like the shapes, the color, the paint application. OK, done patting myself on the back.  Sometimes it seems like you just can't do anything, and sometimes it's just.... yeah.  

Hopefully I'll be able to post 2 tomorrow as well, but I'm moving my studio, so... who knows.  Wish me well! xoxo

Sleeping In, 5x7 Inches Oil Painting by Kelley Macdonald

$100 & $10 S&H

Click HERE To Purchase

The story:  One warm Summer morning I woke up to a pink and aqua world, and though it was just almost dawn, I got up, made some tea and headed to the front porch to watch the world light up.  Of course Paco could not let me be by myself, but MY GOODNESS it was early.  Way too early. So he begged for me to hold him in my lap, which I did. And Paco relaxed in my arm (you can see it here supporting him as he dozed in the crook of my arm).   

So he's not an early riser.  He has other qualities.  I could just kiss that little wrinkly chin!  I ought to tell everyone that this is just the 3rd time I've painted Paco this month.  I know everyone thinks a lot of these pugs are my own dog, but they are not!  I would never dress him up - he's not that kind of dog.  :D

We are past the halfway point in our 30 Paintings in 30 Days.

Also.... anyone who wants to come to the Saturday Painting Class (10 a.m. in Warren) - even as a drop-in... come on over.  32 Cole Street in Warren.  You can pay as you go.  No worries.  I'd rather you painted than not!  

...What? 6x6 Inche Painting Of a Pug by Kelley MacDonald

$100 & $10 S&H

Click HERE to Purchase

Just adore her little face...  that's all I can say...

Love, 5x7 Inch Oil Painting of a Pug by Kelley MacDonald

$100 & $10 S&H

Click HERE to Purchase

Now I ask you... is this little face not ADORABLE?  There's a bit of glare but that's because the paint was so wet when I took the photo.  I have always loved Black Pugs.  (Yes, that was before Paco showed me how vastly superior Fawn Pugs are...) 

I'm enjoying the heat wave here in Rhode Island - the only like of heat wave I can bear - it's been 52 degrees!  I'll take it....  be well, friends...

Almost halfway through my 30 paintings in 30 days.. and I must say - once you get into it... it's not so bad!

Pug Love, 6x8 Inches, Oil, Pug Dog Painting

SOLD

Here's a painting of my little Love Pug, Paco.  I have to say I've had, and loved, other wonderful breeds and mutts.  But there's something about a Pug, and their hearts.  They were bred, for generation upon generation, to *need* people.  They are loyal, yes, like a lot of breeds, but they are devastated without their people.  They trust, and tune in to our every shift in mood.  Raise a glass to pugs tonight.  And.... I'm loving painting the pups - if you have a good photo of YOUR pup, I'd love to give it a try!

If you are on the South Shore this weekend, stop in at Kennedy's Garden Center on rte 3A in Scituate.  The Girls Just Wanna Paint Group will be painting there!!!  Come say Hi!