To Us, 8x8 Inch Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

We have so much in common, but you like olives and I like lemon twists....  here's a toast to the best of times!

Spring is finally here in full swing, and everywhere we look there are celebrations - festivals, weddings, graduations, etc.  So... a toast to all the good things, and good people in our lives!

Cluck, 8x8 Inch painting of a chicken by Kelley MacDonald

SOLD

No need to 'adjust your set'.... The photo was one of 3 I took - all a little blurry.  I think the camera didn't know what to focus on with all that pattern!  I will try again with a different camera on Saturday, when I am in the studio again!

I love chickens - I guess you can tell.  I think they're pretty smart - though some people can't see it.  It's like people who don't 'get' cats, or dogs - you can't expect them to act in a 'people-ish' way - you have to take them on their terms.... and then I believe you will mostly find it very rewarding!  The feathers on this chicken are crazy!  Very flamboyant.  And we all know I like fun, so.... 

Oh, on Saturday night, Kathrine Lovell, a heavenly artist, (and I mean her work is divine, not religious) is having an Opening in her Studio at Tiverton 4 Corners.  I have double booked, and will miss the Opening (but my homemade hummus will make an appearance), but I will not miss this show. 

Come Sit By The Fire, 6x6 Inches, Original Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

$100 & $10 S&H

I have always wanted to paint interiors, as some of my favorite artists, one in particular is Connie Hayes, are masters at it, and make it look fun.  But my own home isn't.... visually intriguing.  But this past Spring we went to a wonderful Inn on Cape Cod... the sitting room was so warm and inviting.. with a comfy seat near a fire. This was my demo at the Art Stable Gallery on Sunday.  

Come sit.

Teaser For Open Studio

This is a 30x30 Inch oil painting on canvas that took me, quite literally, months to do.  Sometimes I just can't help doing something like this, quite different from my usual contemporary realism.  I can stand for hours in front of the canvas, in a kind of meditative state, just thinking 'Shape' 'shape' 'shape' 'color' 'color' 'color'.  I'm quite sure there are thousands of brushstrokes.  I don't know where it comes from, or if it's 'legitimate', it just makes me happy, and I find myself putting important things off (go home, eat lunch, walk the dog) to do just one or two more colors.

So, no, I was not thinking of Klimt or any other artist when I did this, perhaps subconsciously, but not actively.

WHATEVER!  It's fun for me and I'll have it at my Open Studio this weekend, from 11-5, Saturday and Sunday.  1888 Main Road, Tiverton, RI.

*This will be for sale, contact me for info

Pink Light, 6x6 inches, Original Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

$100 & $10 S&H

I adore the dusks when the sky is deep pink and the water is lavender with pink 'rivers' in it.  And then, when a sailboat comes by and catches a tiny bit of that pink light in its' sail....  perfection!

To my dear friends and relations who think I may have skipped the country:  I am buried in my studio, painting big, little, medium sized pieces, I'm just thoroughly enjoying myself and not even bringing the phone with me.  Sorry, sometimes I have to do that.

I will give you a sneak peek of a work-in-progress.  It's 36x36 inches, and is part of a series....

And if you think this is easy I WELCOME you to come and give it a whirl!

Picture yourself laying on the grass, looking up.....

biggest painting I've ever done.  I will hang them on the front porch the week before the Open Studio Tour, in August.  Try not to run off the road looking at them... :D

Allyson, "Sundance", Hilton Head Gang Mugshot, 4x4 Inches, Oil Painting

Another beautiful artist rendered 'muggy' by my brush... here's what they say about Allyson...

Allyson “Sundance” Schilb does most of her shooting in the evening.  She, too, is one of the more quiet members of the Hilton Head Gang.  We do know that she rides with a biker gang.  She rode all over the island...There were tales of drive by shootings.  When other gang members were strolling beaches, sidewalks and tourist sites, Sundance was laying low...riding quietly and shooting unsuspecting victims.  We also know is she is no less proficient than any of the other members...she is SLR ready and will shoot at will.

For more about the The Hilton Head Gang check out their blog at http://hiltonheadgang.blogspot.com

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!

Gloaming Glory, 8x8 Inches, Oil

Another one, for my upcoming show.  Sorry I cropped the painting at a little tilt!  I just love, love, love this view down the Sakonnet River, if you stand on my front porch and turn your head to the left, at the end of the day.  My blood pressure goes down...down...down... just looking at it!

Winter Walk on the Sakonnet, Oil, 5x7

This painting was from a photo I took on a very cold December evening across the street from my house.  The whole sky was salmon and the water reflecting it was the same color.  The river was as still as a lake - so unusual, and the reflections of Gould Island were beautiful and rosy.  People walking their dog on the beach I thought I just have to paint this.  It was such a perfect winter evening, and so typical of this area.  You feel like the whole world is pink, and it has a bit of magic in the air.

So glad to be painting again.  December had personal issues which kept me away from the easel, not to mention wanting to not mess up the holidays by being AWOL to the family.  Back in the saddle, now!  Happy New Year to ALL of you!