Droolworthy, 6x6 inch oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

"Droolworthy" 6x6 Inch Oil on Archival Panel

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Oh, I love these close up portraits of jelly donuts!  I particularly enjoy the jelly part (can you tell?).  Why?  Because it's the biggest challenge (hardest part, yeah..)!  How many layers of light and sweetness can you see?  I use about 7 or 8 colors here, the exact selection honed over about 7 years of painting donuts.  The jelly has layers, and so do the highlights.  In this way it's like painting colored glass.  

So... I just this morning begged my husband to stop at the donut shop after he picked up some dog food.  Nom nom!  But I'm getting in the mood to paint some pets, and I've exhausted my own.  If you would like to send me a head shot of YOUR fur baby or one you know, please do!  NO OBLIGATION, I'm looking for models!  Send them to kcareymac@hotmail.com!  THANKS... from me and.... Paco, who is having a very tough time between the 2+ feet of snow and the bitter cold! :D

This is Paco's "come hither" look...

Pug In The Sun, 5x7 inches, Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

I did this one a while ago, but kept it as it is a favorite of mine.  Almost abstract, the sleepy pug (yes, it's Paco) has snagged one of the choice spots in the house - on a dining room chair in the sun.  I didn't include it but there's at least one cat in an adjacent chair.  Never happier than when with me, he really suffers when he's alone…. and let me clarify that the cats or my son Rory's dog Charlie DO NOT COUNT.  He is either with me or alone, those pretty much are his two states of being.  We enjoyed a beautiful walk tonight and it was mild and the air was sweet.  It almost ended too quickly….. I think we could have just kept going….

*If you are interested just email me, as I must cull my collection since I moved my studio into my house…"

Mints On Pink, 6x6 Inch Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

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I had the most fun in the studio today.  For some reason there was NOTHING else (well, housework, yeah, but that'll be there beyond death, you know?) to do today, so Paco and I slipped off to the studio. I worked on EIGHT paintings.  Paco chased a patch of sunlight, and could not understand why it kept moving, and he'd have to go find it again to take another nap (this is so very unlike him - so DOG-like, to sleep on the floor... I think it's his first nap on the floor EVER).

And then I am still determined to work on figures, and I am my own free model...

And I definitely see improvement - although isn't it funny how cross you look when you paint yourself!?!

SHOULD We Cross The Road?, 8x10 Inch Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

I don't know why I painted chickens today - I should have been doing a thousand other things.  But while I was tidying up my studio I came across a shot of these lovely chickens...  and I couldn't resist!  Now, I sure would love to paint them from life, and I did try that once, but it was funny how I couldn't get them to stand still!  

Instead of painting darks to light or going from most vulnerable color to more sturdy ones, I painted transparent colors first - and then started with the paint that needed a little white mixed in or was opaque.  There is no 'right' way to paint (sorry, but it's true).   And it's all fun, and good.  I think just learning and observing all your painting life is the way to go.

And below, my studio assistant, who is right now very freaked out about the big wind and rain storm...