Double Trouble, 6x6 Inch Acrylic Painting by Kelley MacDonald

"Double Trouble", 6x6 inch original acrylic painting on archival board

$100 & $12 S&H

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So.... it's a warm and sunny Summer morning, and you are out and about, listening to the birds, thinking about the day, and craving a coffee.  So you pull into a coffee shop (which will remain nameless but can be found on every 4th block in Rhode Island, anyway).  And you are just going to get a coffee.  Yes.  Absolutely.  

But... the woman behind the counter brings out a rack of plump puffs of sugar coated soft-as-a baby's-belly donuts oozing jelly... and WAIT.. where is your resolve?  How many do you WANT?  (how many can you fit in your car?) .  OK.  2.  No ... 3   So... 4.  Yes, 4.  And... it kind of makes a one-of-a-kind perfect morning, with enough to share with the dog, the spouse and anyone who might drop by (or the dog, if he can reach the bag).....

Oooops, I Did It Again.... 6x6 inch Acrylic Painting by Kelley MacDonald

"Oooops, I Did It Again..." Acrylic Painting, 6x6 inches

$100 & $12.00 S&H

Click HERE To Purchase

So it's finally, finally Spring, when our young hearts turn to thoughts of love and.. jelly donuts!  Those magical, pillowy mouthfuls of sugar and jelly and puffy dough... OOOH!  

I have in mind a whole box of them, of different design.. but I will always start and return to my lovely jellies.  I've been exposed recently to APRICOT jelly donuts.  Devils up in the Quincy area make them and ... well, let me just say it's worth the trip.

Enjoy the milder weather - I think we can put away our snow boots and shovels here in New England.  Breathing in, and breathing out....  thinking of new things to add to my blog!

OH!  Have you seen the GirlsJustWannaPaint pieces for this month?  I think... it may be our best month ever!  Go HERE to view! The topic?  "Looking Up"!

Lush And Sweet, 7x5 Inch Acrylic Painting by Kelley MacDonald

I knew you needed some sweetness in your life right now.  Here you go.  ZERO calories!  Tender plump donuts filled with real whipped cream and a splot of jelly injected in the middle just for a touch of perfection.  Dusted with powdered sugar.  In a brown box, with waxed paper wrap to keep it safe.

Yeah.  I'm even making MYSELF hungry!

Now... wipe that drool off your lips...... 

:D

Those Luscious Lips, 6x6 Inch Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

  Oh... those sweeties... and that top one was over-stuffed - don't DO that to me!!!  I have to fight my dog and my husband to get one of these! :)  I had these two picked out while I was in line at Dunkin's.  The lady in front of me acted like she was in STARBUCK's - she had questions about every beverage they carried, and she had a little boy that I was afraid was going to claim these excellent 'models'.  Turns out his 'event' was an in depth discussion about the merits of mixing flavors for a personalized 'Coolatta'  (at this point I have broken out in to a sweat, I felt like a junkie - wanted to place my hand over both their mouths and just beg "Please put the two middle jellies aside for me, OK?".  So, yeah.... I did a very small amount of foot tapping and eye rolling.. and then when it was my turn - don't you know I was 5 cents SHORT?  I had left my bag in the car and only brought in a little cash.  While I debated whether I should just get ONE of them, or neither, the lady who was in front of me reached over and tossed a dollar bill on the pile of money I had.  Yup.  Just like that.  I felt smaller and smaller (hadn't I just rolled my EYES at her?) and then, fortunately a dime fell out of my pocket, so I had it covered, but still.  Put me right back in my place, being patient.  Not judging.  Accepting what the Universe/God/Angles have lined up for me.

And I painted like the WIND when I got home!

Now - one of these days I'm going to do everyone a favor and start a Newsletter.  Yes, Leslie Saeta, I am!  But I want to tell you that NEXT weekend.........

You are all SO invited and would be extremely welcomed!  It's a wonderful Tour.  I can steer you to some of the most amazing artists!  Please introduce yourself (again?) to me, as I am swamped with faces those days... :D

Be Still, My Heart, 6x6 in Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

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In my Challenge Group, the Girls Just Wanna Paint, this month's topic was "Delicious".  I was in a tither here, because this mont I had painted a stack of donuts I loved, a Manhattan and a pair of Martini's - all Delicious to me!  So here we are... the day of the submission... and I sneak up to my easel (supposed to be doing other things, OK?) and THIS happens.

It truly won my heart.  I've painted a LOT of jelly donuts, but this one...  I don't know.  There is something loose and beckoning about it.  The powdered sugar.... the skiddy, drippy jelly with it's deep darks and sparkles.... Yup.  THIS is the most delicious thing I've painted this month!

Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit - Happy June!

*I slipped a little doing the cropping - there is a sliver of background on the left side - I'll fix it tomorrow.  Tonight (last night of May) I'm visiting with friends and I don't have to COOK!

Dusted! 6x6 Inch Oil Painting of Jelly Donuts by Kelley MacDonald

Well, here we are, dusted with powdered sugar!  That is ALMOST my favorite part.  The jelly, always, is my favorite.  Same with doing dogs or faces - the eyes.  Because there are so many levels of light and color! So I'll let you know if the collector chose this one or THIS one:

*update* he chose the stack of 3 jellies*

Now, like a lot of artists… I can procrastinate with the best of them!  When I have a deadline I will do almost ANYTHING but work on the piece.  Why?  Why do we do this?  I think because, although it sounded like a good idea at the time, we are wrapped in fear.  FEAR that we will somehow screw it up.  Well, you know, don't you, that the only way to get rid of that fear is to FACE it.  And let Fear know NOT to MESS with YOU.

So… what did I do this morning?  A bad 6x8 selfie:

I was fighting bad brushes and dwindling supplies of paint.  Bad combo. I look really fed up, don't I?

Well, I put down that bad girl and went to the easel (I do the 'selfies' in the bathroom mirror) and finished the sugar on the donut, and finished an Archangel commission, and started another.  *BAM*

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Always, always a 'story' with me.  I knew there were cosmic reasons to paint something 'light' and frivolous on Sept. 11.  Although I know 2 wonderful people with birthdays today, I seem to be unable to stop bumping into remembrances that bring me down.  That being said - I go out of my way on this day to look for the bright side.  For example:  I pulled into Dunk's this a.m. for my coffee.  And what do I pull up next to?  THIS car, with THIS license plate (jellie)...

So, yes, it made me smile.   And I decided that it was a sign, and I should paint jelly donuts today.  So I went in, rather than driving up, because you can't trust anyone to pick out a nice, round, non-sweaty jelly, can you, but yourself?  And who do I stand next to - as I bought ALL THREE of the last of the jellies?  Yup, Mr. Jellie.  Who is dissolving over my purchase.  I was just about to cave and give up one ... just one, mind you... when the girl at the counter literally squealed, "LOOK!  We have 2 coconut/jelly sticks left!"  "THANK GOD!" He yelled, and happily trotted back to his car.  I was enthralled.

SO.  Here's a bit of the jelly process:

I have such a fun Thursday planned - meeting a Blogger/Facebook friend, and visiting Page Pearson at her Artist Residency in Provincetown.  I will tell you all about it in tomorrow's post AND give you a bit of a surprise twist on the jelly donut painting!!!!  Have a great day!

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!

Just One Bite, 6x6 Inch Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

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Well, here's the last of last week's jellies!  This was actually earlier than the other stack of 3 jellies, yes, before they were halfway devoured ;)

I have really been pulling out of the Winter Doldrums!  My classes, both at the Studio and at the Art Club, are chock full of fun, fabulous artists.  I have a zillion ideas for new paintings, and thanks to an artist friend, am VERY close to announcing a new, fun event at my studio.  Set aside a Thursday night or two and grab some good girlfriends, that's all I can say for now... but soon.

I guess just like writing, a cure for a painting block or an artistic block is to JUST KEEP PAINTING.  Because eventually things start seeming exciting again, and there's that swish in your step, or at least in your brush.  I even am tackling organizing the new space with less trepidation.  And it will make people who have recently purchased my paintings THRILLED to know I have finally, finally located the box with the packing tape, so I can put it on the ready-and-waiting boxes.  Feeling sheepish, but there you go, the tape was not exactly where I would have thought. BEHIND me now! :D

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Another do-nutty kind of day!  I feel like I really let loose with the jelly bellies in these two open donuts.  When you first *ahem* 'tear' them open the jelly might sit in there, but as time goes by gravity pulls it out... not that in real life it would get that way too often!  

Sorting through the studio, coming upon old studies and paintings from a while ago, it's like a trip down memory lane.  But I try to not get too distracted, as Saturday is coming, and my students have been PROMISED a more put-away work space!

Many thanks to the patient people who purchased paintings during the move.  Everything is more or less located now, in terms of packing materials, and things are on their way to their new homes. :)

Double Decker Donuts, 6x6 Inch Oil Painting of Donuts by Kelley Macdonald

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Ahhhhhh.... donuts... it's going to be THAT kind of week, I think! :D

Been a long time...

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

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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.

Dribble, 6x6 Inches, Oil

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I confess I've been missing my donut paintings!  For a while there I was a bit 'over' them... now I want to do them now and again!  

I stopped into not one, not two, but THREE Dunkin Donuts shops before I found 'good looking' jelly donuts.  And at that I had to ASK for 'not-weepy' jellies.  With the warm days the donuts don't cool down very quickly, and they stick them into stacks, where the sugar coating melts.  NOT appetizing.  However, the wonderful woman at the donut shop offered to re-coat them with sugar.  Made all the difference in the world.  How great is that dribbly jelly?  This piece will be nicely framed in a (famous) randy Higbee Frame, and will be offered in my new Art Stable Gallery.  Let's see how people in the area like donuts!

Favorite Jelly Donuts, 6x6 Inches Oil Painting

$100 & $10 S&H 

This is "The Daily Paintworks Challenge" for this week!  Carol Marine asked me to come up with a 'challenge' and... OK, it's paint your favorite donut~ (*wink*wink*).  I must be really missing the Donut War with Susan Roden, no?

I invite all artists out there to do their darndest, and post their efforts on the Daily Paintworks Challenge Page!  The bottom donut in my painting, btw, was filled by a joker at Dunkin's - they put the jelly in on the flat part of the donut that sometimes happens when 2 donuts stick together - looks like a bulls eye!  Where was Quality Assurance?  

Cairn VI, 8x8 Inches, Oil

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This was a demo from my last class.  Since then I've driven 24 hour TO Karin Jurick's Workshop, been out and about about 12 hours a day during the workshop 20 hours home, then prepping for the wonderful North River Holiday Sale - which, baby, if you've never been to one - you should GO.  This year there are artisans as well as artists.  You can really get some good deals there.  Seriously.

BUT I have also painted 6 new paintings for the Providence Art Club in December.  Today.

All paintings are framed in this show, and priced under $250.  It runs all of December.  Ok. I fell asleep TWICE while posting.  Off to walk Paco and get some sleep. :)

Sunday Donuts, Dunkin Donuts, 5x7 Inches, Oil

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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.

Scottsdale Mug & 2 Jelly Halves, 6x6 Inches, Oil Painting

LOTS of technical difficulties around here!  For example, my trusty camera has finally bitten the dust.  After painting this I packed it in the car and took it and my camera to Hunt's Camera in Providence.  They couldn't get the camera to focus either, and finally pronounced it officially non-functioning.  I'm getting another camera this week, but in the meantime, they actually took the memory card and put it in a new camera and took some shots for me.  My new camera will be in around Thursday, and I am so excited!

Getting ready for my Open Studio on the South Coast Open Studio Tour on Saturday and Sunday, August 20 and 21.  Crossing my fingers for good weather!

Come on over!  Exit 2 off of Rte 24 in RI.  Go south 1 mile, and ...voila!

I painted this jelly-full donut in response to Susan Roden's volley - it is Monday, so it's the Donut War Day!  Susan thinks her trifecta of sugary sweetness will *splat* my jellies against a wall.  I say.. we divide and conquer!  Reinforced by one of my favorite mugs - one from Scottsdale Artists School.  I loved my class there.  Can't wait to do another one!  On the scorching red mug, is a symbol of a palette, and the words "Scottsdale Artists School"... as if I could forget!!!!

Fiesta Morning Break w/Jellies, 6x6 Inches, Oil Painting

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Another casualty in the Donut War with Susan Roden - OH!  So drippy and sweet!  The Fiesta cup is part of a gift from a good friend, Jane, who I reconnected with on Facebook a couple of years ago - literally we hadn't really seen each other in a decade - maybe two!  We were kindred spirits when we both worked for a law firm in the 70's  - YOW, that's a long time ago!  Then I moved away, then she moved away, etc. etc...  and it was so great to 'discover' her again.  So.... Facebook can be a pain, and annoying, but it can also be a GOOD thing!  As in... does everybody want to know what I'm cooking for dinner?????  I'll save you the click to FB.... Hamburgers & Sweet Corn, and Tomato Salad!

Torn Jelly Donut, 6x6 Inches, Acrylic

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It's Monday! and that means a new battle in the Donut War with Susan Roden!  Truly, this casualty was quite accidental!  I was headed to the set up with my new painting lamp, and a nice, plump jelly donut.....  the next thing I knew only half of it was remaining, and it was oooozing jelly!  What's a painter to do?

I plopped that baby under the new light and used acrylics this time - the same, but different...  It's a hot day, and I had a fan on me (had to wrestle my way in front of it - Paco and Harry the Orange Cat both felt THEY should have the fan... ) and the acrylics dried so fast!

I'm starting some paintings for a show in Dedham in September - so you will probably see them in the coming weeks.

Hey - it's August - how'd that happen???

Belated National Donut Day, 6x6 Inches, Oil (T-shirt Giveaway)

$100 &$10 S&H

Well, I missed posting a donut on National Donut Day last week because I was in Sedona - a town, believe it or not, without a donut shop.  Can you imagine?  I was totally out of my element.  The closest they came to a donut shop was a bagel shop, which, .... come on!  So... clearing out the cobwebs, and jet lag, etc. today I went to Sip & Dip (remember Tina, the greatest Donut Girl ever?  She remembered me - "Oh, the Donut Lady!") and got a great big (about 2 1/2 inches tall) jelly donut.  My favorite part of the painting was the drip, of course, in the detail below:

Now, here's the thing.  I got a T-shirt made that says "I love Kelley's Jellies!" with an image of one of my donut paintings on it.  Size Large (will definitely shrink).  The first person to email me saying they want it, and gives me their address gets it - I'll pay for the shipping.  

Happy National Donut Day... Belated!