Tender Trail, 8x6 inch Acrylic Painting by Kelley MacDonald

Oooooh, a little shadow, I now see, at this late hour on the lower left side!  Will re-shoot in the light of day!  This painting is one of those many, may layered pieces.  Abstracts, for me, take so long.  The planning.  The process, the layers, and seeing how they are working, and adjustments made (cooler white or warmer white... any color really gets tweaked).  Then, as I have learned, turn the pieces on their sides and upside down - it must 'work' on all sides.  This again, has so so many layers of paint and clear acrylic.  In person you can see the depth and it draws you in.  

All the reds and red browns and red oranges.  I was seeking warmth, I guess, in bleak January!  Gray sky, gray water, even the dead grass looks gray.  Gray tree trunks.  So... RED!

:)

Yearning For Spring, 7x5 Acrylic Painting by Kelley MacDonald

Well, I'm really getting into the abstract frame of mind.  This painting, little as it is, has taken me over a week of working every day.  Believe it!  There are probably over30 layers of paint and semi-gloss gel medium on this.  I am liking how each layer of paint was a neutral off white, and the blue/green center was a different color layer.  Some times it was deep turquoise, sometimes bluey green, sometimes a lime green.. and the layers of medium between gives it a depth (you can see it better in person, but here....)

And it looks like the colors float and merge.  So much harder to get it 'right' than a realistic painting.  But I love that, too, you know it.  And get your coffee ready, there are donut paintings coming tomorrow!

Come on, dip your toe in...

Surge, 5x7 acrylic painting by Kelley MacDonald

"Surge" 5x7 inch Acrylic Painting

$100 & $10 S&H 

Click HERE To Purchase

Been 'off' posting for a few days, but NEVER off painting.  I think I'll make a collage or something of the ones that didn't get into the post.  I have been loving the process and all the learning that's involved.  I have only been painting in acrylics for about 8 years, so I still have a lot to learn.  But I do love it.  This painting has at it's source, the feeling of WATER from above and below.  Many many layers of paint. 

I live on the water and deal with true wind (and I laugh when people say "Oh, I LOVE wind!" because I USED to say that, till I had to live in it.  So the sound of slamming wind against the house at 2 a.m., the howling, relentless, and the whole house shaking.  The having to basically kick your way out of the car and the fight to get inside a structure to be able to open your eyes.  Storms, on the water are thrilling and terrifying.  Here on the coast of Rhode Island, you can still see things which tell the story of a storm.  The Hurricane of '38 took out the stone bridge which connected my road to Portsmouth, right in front of my house.  1/2 mile of stone... gone.  And there's a clam shack across the river from my house where there's a 5 foot marker on the front, which says how high the surge was on that storm.

I just heard that the water level is rising even faster than we thought it was.  Watching out for a Surge.... for sure.

If you've been holding back about learning to paint... don't... come paint with us.

Fish Town, 4x4 Inch Acrylic Painting by Kelley MacDonald

Fish Town, 4x4 inch acrylic painting

$65 & $10 S&H

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I painted this little 'abstraction' of a small coastal town on a birch board that is cradled.  It can stand up on it's side all alone.  I used acrylic paint, and an acrylic pen - THIS is a new discovery for me and I LOVE it, it's really acrylic paint but comes out of a pen.  You have to pump it to get the paint to the nib.  Anyway, it's Day 11, and I missed posting my paintings yesterday, so here it is, on canvas board, 

"City Life", 7x5 inch acrylic painting

And also.... keep in mind...

Click right HERE for details.  See ya!

True Neighborhood, 4x4 inch acrylic painting by Kelley MacDonald

True Neighborhood, 4x4 inch acrylic 

$65 & $10 S&H

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Day 7 of the 30 in 30 challenge

While solitude is good, there is something to be said for connectivity.  I like a neighborhood where you can be yourself, hang out in a yard and just think, just be, paint, entertain or read without the 'eyes of the world' upon you.  ("I saw you painting in your yard this morning, how long were you out there?""Who were those women you were sitting on your porch with?""Hey!  Are you sleeping or just thinking?")  Yeah.  

But people can be wonderful, nuturing, joyful, too.  I'm playing with types of painting.  This is all flat shapes with an outline.  I'd LIKE to say this was easy, but it took much much longer to do than a realistic painting. The darn lines would disappear, the colors would fade out, or thin out, the color beneath would bleed through, and with a swipe of the brush, the outline could get covered.  But I liked being free of the colors of reality.  I just made colors I LIKED.  :) Fun.

Also... if you are in the area... we have a couple more spots in the class - I guarantee you you will enjoy this class.  The people are amazing, and we will do some really focused exercises, and subjects that are bound to break you out of your winter blues! Info HERE

Swish, 7x5 acrylic painting by Kelley MacDonald

  

Day 6

Here it is, the first week, and I'm a day behind already!  Well, not in the PAINTING, but the posting of the painting!  I am loving, but still exploring, this particular method.  I cover the board with one color.  When it is dry I apply a semi gloss medium and let that dry - that will protect the first layer.  Then I add the second color - in this case, the blue, and when IT is almost dry i add droplets of water, trying for a pattern, a direction.  When the blue is dry I absorb the water droplets, leaving a clear view through the medium, to the bottom color (green).  At this point I look for my 'direction' and use the whole tube of paint to paint the red droplets with.  FUN!

Sparks, 5x7 inch acrylic painting by Kelley MacDonld

Day 5 of the 30 in 30 Challenge.  I'm very intrigued with the different types of abstract painting you can have.  Eschewing form in favor of motion, of interplay between colors, I've got a few more coming. Today I am loving black and a creamy white.  Black, of course, is a mixture of a lot of colors, and the red was just the ticket. I've kind of taken over the dinning room, with drying paintings, pots of mediums, glazing mediums and paints.  What a ride this is!  

Here are the details.....

Universe Unfolding, 6x8 inch acrylic painting by Kelley MacDonald

"Universe Unfolding" 6x8 inches

$100 & $10 S&H

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Day 3 of the 30 paintings in 30 days.. this week I'm doing all abstracts... I feel somehow I can't ever get out of the story that a painting tells... You can take what you want from this... and I can't promise that I won't go back in on this one.. codes, rhythms, colors, velvety depths, patterns, light.... that's what I was feeling here. I limited myself to a small range of colors and a range of 'blacks'.  An astral party is what it ended up looking like!  I'm ok with that.  

To see the rest of today's submissions click HERE.

See HERE for details.... you will have fun AND learn to see & paint!

Glass Balls & Ribbon, 4x4 Inch Acrylic by Kelley MacDonald

Day 2 of the 30 paintings in 30 days!

Yes, I will be doing the 30 paintings in 30 days with my friend Leslie Saeta in California.  So every day I will be posting a small painting - and I can't decide... donuts?  cocktails?  abstracts?  pet paintings?  Let me know what you think... I need help here.  

In some ways I would love to explore abstracts, because I never really have given myself over to them - but they take a long time to make! (at least mine do!).  For me, it's more than splashing color around.  I need to have a focus, an idea, and references to something.  I like layering, and it takes time, even for acrylics to dry.

Anyway... got new stuff happening in the New Year!  First up is a very small class I'll be doing in Bristol.  Perfect for new-to-intermediate painters.  Get this year started right!  More info on the Page above, HERE.

Archangel Gabriel, 8x6 Inch Acrylic Painting by Kelley MacDonald

$100 & $10 S&H

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"The Angel Of The Lord Appeared Unto Mary…."  Yes, that's Gabriel.  Although many depictions of Gabriel show a male angel, in fact (ahem…OK, I don't know how they know this) Gabriel is supposed to be a female angel.  She is the Angel of fertility and adoption, as well as the Angel of writers, artists and creative people in general.

The name Gabriel means "God is my strength".  In addition to telling Elizabeth and Mary about their pregnancies, Gabriel is credited with dictating the Koran to Mohammed. Gets around, this girl.

Invoke Gabriel in prayer if you are wanting a child, if your are a writer, singer, artist or actor and are looking for doors to open for you.

With 7 days left to my Angel Challenge, I find I've got more to say about them.  I'm inspired now to dig deeper.  But don't worry.  My regular fun paintings will be showing up as of Februrary 1st, even if I continue to explore this theme now and then!

Among Three Angels, 6x4 inch Acrylic Painting by Kelley MacDonald

$100 & $10 S&H

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All the bases are covered if you've got these three on your side.  Health?  Relationships? Abundance? Work?  Children? Grief/Loss?

I am enjoying painting in this very different manner for a few paintings… so very many layers of colors, and all the while keeping color, value, temperature in mind. Plus, can I tell you how satisfying it is to mix up a color and SLATHER it on with a palette knife?  MMMMmmmmMMm.  Tomorrow's will be more traditional (I THINK).

This trio brings to mind, though, my daughter and her two close friends growing up.  They were peas in a pod, one blonde, one light brown, one dark brown haired.  At age 29 they are all still close, though the darkest 'angel' lives across the country, and is married, with a babe on the way - we are all going to be vicarious Grandmothers in our group!

Flying Angel, 6x4 Inch Painting by Kelley MacDonald

$100 & $10 S&H

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She is just a wisp.  A reflection of light off your watch, a flash from a passing car, a sundog, a rainbow, a bit of glitter on the water…. she's a glimmer in the corner of your eye….   She's faster than lightning in answer to a prayer.  This one's ginger haired… for you!

Angelic Team, 7x4 Acrylic Painting by Kelley Macdonald

$100 & $10 S&H

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Many times Guardian Angels are one-on-one with us.  But every once in a while, there's a soul that needs 2 Angels.  So there's a team.  The are usually complementary, with different skill sets, and quite different in personality.  You may need one more often than the other.  But there is a time in your life when you need both, or just the other.  No worries.  You're covered.  

Kind of comforting knowing that no matter what life hands you, you are not alone, and you don't even have to 'believe' to be cared for.  Thankless job, sometimes.  Wisps of color or a scented breeze… a beautiful sound, a memory that comforts but you can't quite place it…. touches of the angels.  

If you ask me how I know this???? I will tell you that I read some books.  I Googled it.  I had Angel readings… or… I just know….

In the Home Stretch now for the 30 in 30 paintings.  10 more.  CAN I do it?  I've missed a couple.  I still have so many kinds/types/images of angels I thought I'd get to!

xoxo Thanks for staying with!

Angel of Comfort, 6x4 Inch Acrylic Painting by Kelley MacDonald

$100 & $10 S&H

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This angel, painted with a palette knife, is one you can turn to when the world is just too much.  You are never too much for her.

Loved doing the layers, and using the knife to almost sculpt her in.

Archangel Ariel, 6x6 Inch Acrylic Painting by Kelley MacDonald

$100 & $10 S&H

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Ariel is called the "Lioness Of God", and she is often shown warrior-like.  But her passion and influence is the natural world, and she lets herself be felt when we observe and enjoy the forests, meadows, beaches, deserts and mountains.  She invites us to experience the joy of nature, and supposedly when you find yourself feeling a sense of calm and 'rightness' as you look upon the waves of the ocean, or a bubbling stream or the awesome heights of mountains… she is with you.  

Also included in her realm are all of God's animals, and she is their protector and guardian.  

They say that you can call on her to help your beloved pets, so keep that in mind!

I think I prefer painting on smooth surfaces, like boards.  I like the way the paint slides on - and I don't have to 'fight' with the canvas, which grabs the paint.  Just easier, I think.  So why, you ask, am I going to Dick Blick this afternoon to use a gift certificate for their awesome sale on canvases?  *Shrug*  Can't resist a good sale.

As I was painting this I thought… who does this angel look like?… Do you have an idea?  purely coincidental….. huh...

Angel & Harp, 12x6 Inch Acrylic Painting by Kelley MacDonald

$100 & $10 S&H

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This painting was started the day after a talk I went to from the Liquitex Acrylic Paint Company at the Art Club.  There are at least 10 layers of paint, and it was very very hard to photograph because I mixed Iridescent Medium into the top layers of the painting, making it very reflective and prone to glare.  The background is a velvety deep blue, slightly lighter than pictured. 

  

She was inspired by a folk art angel that was given to me by my friend Sally Dean.  Since I started this project I've been given and sent all kinds of angel paraphernalia.  I have wings, photos, images, halos, angels, books, etc.  It's fabulous!

It may look that this type of painting is simple.  But that's where you'd be wrong.  Building up the layers and treating the paint like it was a 3rd partner in the painting (me, the subject and the whims of acrylic paint).  But though this angel is not 'named', no need to worry. Tomorrow…. look for Archangel Ariel.

:D

Someone To Watch Over Me, 4x6 Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

$100 & $10 S&H

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This angel is inspired by another painter Anne H. Neilson.

I'm a big fan of her work.  I think I may use the palette knife more if I try this again.

I think we all need Someone to watch over us.

I'm thrilled that I'm at the halfway point for the Challenge.  Although I feel I have a lot to learn still… and will keep going!

Uriel, Angel of Light, 8x6 Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

SOLD

Uriel is the Angel of Light, his/her name meaning "God Is My Light".  He/She guarded and guided St. Elizabeth and baby St. John the Baptist on their Flight Into Egypt.  He/She is one of the Angels who will reign after the end of the world.  

Guide and Guardian.  I'm loving this Angel.  

Pouty Angel, 6x8 Inch Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

A few days off and I'm buried in 'back angels'!  I am ending up posting even if I am not thrilled - which is, I think, part of the 30 in 30 Challenge.   I know people will say I should never say these things but honesty is my only policy…:)  Will work on this again this month.  And hopefully catch up!

Well, just for fun, here are two older paintings I did (one a collage) that are 'angelic'…. I still have both, only the collage is buried somewhere in the boxes that came home from my studio when I moved.  If I EVER find it, I have someone who would like to buy it…. wish me luck!

"Angels Watch Over Her" (6x6 Collage_

"Angelic Me" 6x6 inch acrylic

Van Gogh's Angel, 6x6 Inch Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

$100 & $10 S&H

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I don't know why I don't copy the masters more often!  I have such a great time doing it and learn so much every single time!  When you look at a Van Gogh, do you think of the layers and layers of paint?  The hundreds and hundreds of brushstrokes?  No, me, either, I simply stand in awe of his purposeful strokes, and keen color sense, as well as his amazing rendering skills.

So here is my interpretation of his angel.   I love all the many blues against the gold.

I am very proud of myself that I've done 8 in a row.  Believe it or not there are a handful of rejects that I  may or may not get in shape!