Ooeey Gooey Stack of Jelly Donuts, 6x6 inch Oil Painting by Kelley Macdonald

SOLD

Today was Donut Day in my studio.  While yesterday I labored over 4 large sky paintings, today I bought a box of donuts and set about to getting some inventory for my Open Studio.  While the Donut War has wrapped up (both sides winners), I found myself diving into this painting and just having a ball withe the drippy jelly and the powdered sugar.  And, no, I don't paint the 'dots' of sugar one by one! :)

My second donut painting needs more work before I show it to you.  It was a victim of ungodly humidity in the studio.  While the overall temp was mid-high 80's, the humidity was raging.  My hands were sopping in my gloves, and I was getting cranky, I tell you!

But for fun, here's a slew of works-in-progress, where I am inspired by the foam at the tips of the small laps of water here on the river.  I have decided I am just going to play with colors, matching them up as I like, just favorites of colors.  I still have some to do on each, but this is the general gist.  And THEN I'm planning on trying to cover them with resin for a glass-like finish.  I am so excited about these.  They'll be on a table of their own at my Open Studios on the 18th and 19 of this month.  Enjoy the colors...

  

  They are all 6x6 or smaller.

Donut War Day! The End Of An Era!

All good things must come to an end, so the saying goes.  Susan Roden and I have had a wonderful time with the Donut War.  I would like to toast Susan, and wish her every success, and thank her for her friendship and sense of fun throughout our war.  Now... Peace in the Donut Zone!

No, this doesn't mean I'll stop painting donuts, don't worry!   And if you've wondered if I fell off the face of the earth last week... no... I was teaching wonderful artists at a workshop in my studio. We had SUCH a blast!  They produced some beautiful work!  See below:

 

There's more on Facebook - 'Friend' me, and take a look!

Donut War Day! Snowball's Chance... 6x6 Inches, Acrylic

SOLD

It's Monday, and that's the Donut War Day!  Today, in honor of NO SNOW for February, I'm sending off a volley of Snow Balls (Hostess cupcakes) to Susan Roden.  Watch out for that marshmellow frosting, Susan!  And that devil's food cake cream center!  I'm painting a donation for RI Food Bank Auction, and it will be a tic tac toe design.  I'll show you this week.  In the meantime, cross your fingers for NO MORE SNOW!

Ah-love Olives! 6x6 Inches, Oil

$125 & $10 S&H

Well, that's my version of a Southern accent!  I have made so many friends from the South in the past year and I must say their accent has become quite dear to me.  And another dear thing to me is those little green olives with the red stuffing!

As a matter of fact, in my Painting Workshop next week (see top right of blog to register) we are going to be painting some of the bad boys, in and out of martini's.  Of course, I think that may make us work up a fierce thirst, and I'm thinking of a place where we can find a nice frosty one after class!  I am so looking forward to painting with these gals.  Look for more olives next week!  And more sweets - I'm working on a larger cupcake painting - maybe it'll be ready to serve up for the Donut War on Monday with Susan Roden!

Had a great group at the Blogging Workshop last night at North River - I am simply BLESSED with the fantastic people I'm meeting in my line of business!

Donut War Day! Valentine Heart! 6x6 Inches, Acrylic

$125 & $10 S&H

It's Monday, Donut War Day, and Suan Roden had better DUCK!  I'm feeling better and hit my local DD's (Dunkin Donuts) for a 6-pack of heart shaped sugar volleys!  Susan is so nice and always writes little poems, and I've never even been able to recite poems OTHER people write... so I'm slinging a proper custard bomb her way.  This donut is a heart shaped Boston Cream... (or Creme), kind of a local treat.  I remember when I was a young mother, making a Boston Cream Pie from scratch - yes, it was the best we'd ever tasted, but it took ALL DAY... maybe someday I'll try it again, who knows?

Paco has sent out his Valentine cards - I thought I was done with this when my daughter hit Middle School, but noooooo... Paco has friends from BC to Wales, UK, and he NEEDED to send them love notes.  Yes, my husband says I've lost it.  The question is... WHEN did I HAVE it?  :D  Happy Day before V-day.  It's not about who loves you... it's about who you love!

xo

*My talk "Blogging Your Art Sucessfully" was rescheduled to THIS Wednesday, Feb. 15 at the North River Arts Society, Marshfield, MA*

*Sign up for my 2-Day Painting Workshop in my Warren studio at the top right of my Blog*

Donut War! The Ammo Pile, 6x6 Inches Oil painting of Jelly Donuts

SOLD

So... I am preparing for a full fledged invasion from Susan Roden in our weekly Donut War!  This time I painted something near and dear to my heart - a great big pile of soft, plump, jelly donuts from Dunkin's!  Last Summer a couple of painter friends and I went on a road trip, with the obligatory stop at Dunkin Donuts to stock up on iced coffee for the ride.  They had just put out this big tray full of sweet jelly and sugar pastries...  we had the poor donut man model (another day's painting) with one in his hand, and I snapped a few shots of this great big pile of ammunition for the Donut War!

Susan, you'd better duck.... sweetness coming your way!

*The first person to buy a donut painting this year gets my Donut wall calendar as a treat!*

Oh, yes, Happy MLK day.  I was going to do a portrait of him, then I learned that his family 'owns' his image (how can that be?).  I want to own my image, thus preventing any goofy shots of me with one eye closed, or a disappearing chin from getting into the public domain....

Donut War! Donut Seeds, 5x7 Inches, Oil

$125 & $10 S&H

It's a funny thing, this Donut War... things happen that you'd never, ever expect.  Like a collector showing up at my Open Studio with POUNDS of Dunkin Donuts (yum) coffee.  Or a Donut Diversity T shirt!  And this past Christmas, I received from my 'Arch Enemy' in the Donut Wars, Susan Roden, a suspicious package!  I had the bomb squad on standby.  We shook the package, smelled it (while Paco barked and ran around in little circles), shook it.  Finally we got up the courage and opened it only to find.... DONUT SEEDS!  Where Susan found them I'll never know, but it put a BIG GRIN on my face.  She is a doll, isn't she?  I'm only going to shoot her this delish "Today Show" (not kidding) donut for today's attack.  It is the colors of the Today Show (who even knew they had 'colors').  Well I'm on a different computer, and the 'jimmies' are red, orange and yellow, and when I tried to get the red to show up, the background turned gray in editing, so... trust me: red, orange and yellow on white frosting.

And, FYI, I have the Fire Department (also the Police Department) directly across the street, so in theory, they're always 'standing by' for me :)

Donut War! Bismark! 6x6 Inches, Oil

$100 & $10 S&H

I hope you all had a happy day yesterday (Sunday).  I'm having to pull out all the stops to aim this Bismark all the way to California to land on Susan Roden!  I had to hold a couple of paintings out JUST IN CASE I needed to replace them at the Providence Art Club Holiday Sale, and this was one.  But not that the Sale is over (3 paintings sold - *big grin*) this luscious baby is available!  Ooooh, the light, delectable cream.... ahhh, the sweet strawberry jelly... Mmmmmm... the dusting of powdered sugar - this one just killed me!

Anyway, I think this volley in the Donut War is Shock and Awe time!

*And Merry Christmas to Susan & her delicious pastries!*

Check her out Here...

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.

Donut War Surprise! A Cupcake For Susan! 6x6 Inches, Oil Painting

SOLD

You know Monday is Donut War Day.  Susan Roden has flung some wicked frosting at me with her cupcakes, while I'd always stuck with donuts.  Today I am going for a sneak attack with a cupcake!  Heh, heh... heh..  I love these little bite size guys....YUM!

Now... you all want to know how the Opening for Girls Just Wanna Paint went?  FABULOUS.  The people who came were so COOL!  Karen Bruson came!  All the way from New Hampshire!  She is so great!  Valerie V., Chris P., Jane C.,  Susan and Robert D., Pam C., Ruth,  :)))

We even had Michael Weymouth, an artist and author, come in drag to try to become a member of the group!  It was packed all evening, tons of red dots (sales), and so much buzz about our group!  Fun, fun, fun! Thank you all so much!  And... my meatballs were a hit!

Donut War Day! Take THAT, Susan Roden! Oil, 6x6 Inches

Donut War, Donut War... No Backing Down!  Take THIS jelly, Susan Roden!  In real life, this painting has less 'florescence' on the left side of the jelly.  As I didn't see it till I got home from the studio today, I can't re-shoot the image.  Truly, I think this is one of the best 'portrait' of a jelly donut I've done.  I was so totally into the Zone, and the jelly seemed to turn into 3D before my eyes!

I have some news!  My blog and art have been reviewed by Tony Moffit of Art.Blog.Critique!  You can read it HERE. Then 'like' or subscribe to get each new one.

Also.... a new Smile for you

Click HERE for the auction site.

This was especially difficult because, well, teeth.  Do I need to say more?  Also this model's skin and lips were the SAME value!  Just a mild color change.  Learning, learning, learning...

Flower Power Donut, 6x6 Inches, Oil Painting

Seriously, I had every intention of offering this for sale, but I was just notified that another of my little paintings at the Providence Art Club sold, and I have to bring it in to fill up the wall.  I dare you, go ahead and keep buying the donut and cocktail paintings in this Holiday Show, and I will keep up with you and paint new ones to fill in! :D

This is, as you are all aware, Donut War Day!  Take the flower power donut I bought today, and try to KEEP from eating it, Susan Roden!  Talk about your oooey, gooey!  There is NO defense... you just have to lick the vanilla and chocolate!

Nowwwwww... about that 'Smiley' Auction, ... it is active, and you would go HERE to bid on it!  The auction is for one week.  I hope to post another Smile soon.  I'm painting as fast as I can!  I can think of a million reasons to be thankful this week, but one, for sure, is the support of all you guys who MAKE MY DAY by commenting, following, and subscribing.  I'm going to do something nice for you - refining it.. and will post it on Thanksgiving.

Oldie But Goodie

This is an old painting, long gone to a new home, of a Dunkin Iced Coffee.  The Donut War continues, as Susan Roden pumps up Starbucks (from New Mexico - I think we're playing 'where in the world is Susan...)... and I took a couple of days hiding in a foxhole of Dunkin Donuts,  recuperating from 2 incredible weeks.  When I think of it, I spent over 40 hours driving, had 5 days where I was 'going' for 12 or more hours a day, and landed home to a high intensity week of prepping for 2 holiday shows.  So, my plan was to spend a day this weekend in my bathrobe.  Well, that never happened, but it was a good weekend nonetheless!

Thank you all who went to the North River Show - they had a great turn out!  I am very happy.   

I have a new fun thing going on that I hope to share with you tomorrow!

Donut War Day! And A Road Trip From Heck....

Happy Halloween!  WHEW!  I bet 'dollars to donuts' that my partner in War (Donut War that is), Susan Roden, will be shocked, SHOCKED that I managed to post today.  See... I've been on the road for a couple of days, en route to Karin Jurick's Workshop in Hilton Head, SC.

(kitties pre-missing me)

Now... if you do the *math* you'll see that I set out for my trip on the DAY of that horrible snowstorm.  In October - who'd have thought?  It was clear when I left, and I thought that having my husband drive out to Providence to meet me with a new cord for my iPod was the 'glitch' of the day...  but then I missed a turn for the 'quick route south and ended up snarled in New Rochelle, NY, and then the Bronx, for over an HOUR... and then...

It started snowing..

All through New Jersey the road signs were covered with snow and ice...

And we travelers played 'pac man' dodging trees falling from both sides of the road.  

I could take photos because often we were going at 5-15 mph.   Hence, the 12 hour trip to Maryland.  Today was another 12 hour day on the road.  I think I need a few days OFF before I dig in to the workshop!  But it is beautiful here - today's drive, was smooth sailing, and gorgeous landscapes.  I'll keep you posted.  Thanks for all the well wishes!

Strawberry Kewpie Donut, 6x6 Inches, Oil

SOLD

Though the frosting on top of this strawberry donut was a little skimpy, they managed to make it cute with the little tuft of frosting on the top!  OK, I apologize for being a day late for the Donut War - and Susan Roden may have 'stormed the coffee shop gates' on me.. but I was a little busy with opening my studio for the Warren Walkabout.  Pics of the studio below:

The entry way to the studio...

A couple of works in progress, and the current Daily Painting table...

The long view of the studio, with the 'clearance' tables, and my friend Jane snuggled on the couch at the end, being very brave but struggling with a bad cold.

Paco, exhausted from entertaining, being 'supported' by my son Conor - who was a huge help to me...