Diversity, Original Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

SOLD

Our local farm stand, Walker's, in Little Compton, RI, had soooo many colored peppers - all the better for me, because I don't think I've ever met a pepper I didn't like.  These beauties look like they're ASKING to be part of fajitas, don't they?  My favorite is the misshapen purple one, because.. well, it's purple!

This will be on my display at 'Discover Warren' (used to be called the Warren Walkabout) on Oct. 17 from 11-5.  I'm going to try to get my daughter to bake some yummy things for us hehehe....

The Last Of The Sunflowers, 6x6 Original Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

SOLD

I just love sunflowers, and these are the last from my garden.  Not that I planted them, but last year I had a bird feeder along my fence.  This year my fence was lined with sunflowers!  Trying to keep it loose, but think I need more practice at that.  Yeah.  That and relaxing!

Cluny Abby, Paris, 6x6 Originial Acrylic Painting by Kelley MacDonald

$100 & $10 S&H

A few of my fellow artists from the Daily Painters Originals are taking 'trips' to France - so here's my first contribution!  I loved the Cluny Chapel, and the stories of the Roman Baths in the basement.  Actually, I got a little lightheaded with all the beauty and history, and left my husband to wander inside, while I got some air and enjoyed the pink door and the hollyhocks which matched it!  So, I'd go back to Paris in a MINUTE, and revisit the relics, etc. at this particular church....  See what Kelley Sanford and Julie Hill have served up for their French Feast!

Little Orange Dinghy, 6x8 Original Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

The harbor in Provincetown often has this very narrow orange dingy in it.  When the sun is setting it hits it's hull and it just sings!  I was a little discombobulated today in my 're-entry' to real life.  For almost a week I had just me to think about, and painting.  Today the dryer broke, I cooked a big breakfast for my family, one cat was practicing 'killing' the other cat, and Paco, my pug, just couldn't leave my side, and so he kept getting tripped over.  Oh, yeah, and I tried to paint.  So aside from the glare (which officially I promised not to mention), I'm pretty happy with it, all things considered.  

East View From Provincetown, 8x8 Original Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

$150 & $10 S&H

8x8 inches

Today, my final day in Provincetown, I FINALLY relaxed.  I did a few work ups for my commission (although I still have a couple of potential changes), then I shook everything off, went to the patio at the beach, and painted something that I loved:  this view.  I felt this painting fall off the brush.  I kind of hope it doesn't sell before I get a chance to work it up... BIG.  It was a magical week, and I'm so thrilled to have been given this opportunity - uh, oh... I think this place is getting under my skin...  I may have to come here again!

Pilgrim Monument, Original Acrylic Painting by Kelley MacDonald

NFS

6x8 inches

This is a small work up of a beautiful view I had as I was lugging my gear back to the car after painting last night at Provincetown Harbor.  I also noticed I have a smudge on my camera lens, on the top left portion of the image!  I'll fix it tomorrow, hopefully.

Lots of wind today - and I learned that you can duct tape almost all your plein air equipment - INCLUDING your trash bag!  I decided to use the tape after I was almost ready to paint, and I turned around to get something out of my backpack.  When I turned back my right glove and my roll of paper towels had blown away.  Empty street - no sign of them.  So I took my duct tape and taped and taped some more.  I got some funny looks, but most people said "YEAH, that's the way to deal with the wind!"  Below is a WIP that I started in oils on Commercial Street in Ptown near the landing...

Funny how you can see the things that are wrong  as soon as you post them!

Moonrise Over Provincetown, 6x18, Original Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

This was done last night on location in Provincetown, where I am holed up this week working on a commission.  Each 6x6 panel can stand on it's own, but I think they look good all together.  

I'm feeling incredibly inspired here.  I really think Ptown is one of those spiritually key places, like Sedona.  

I will share with you the 3rd study I did today - all in one color, as it is a value study as well as a compositional study.  I have decided to hunt down or make my own canvas.  I originally offered a 24x48 because they want the 48 inch height.  But upon seeing the scene they want - I decided to find something wider, to include the boats to the right and a bit of the breakwater to the left...

Jelly Perfection, Original Oil Painting By Kelley MacDonald

Reserved

I think I mentioned that at my Open Studio as part of the South Coast Artist Tour I had a gentleman drive from the Boston area to get a donut painting that sold before the Opening.  I offered to paint him another one, and so I dutifully went to Dunkin Donuts and got more jellies.  To get this 'drip' you have to squeeze their plump little bellies.  But that's the beauty of it for me, that glow that the light makes on the drippy jelly.  I actually think (and an artist friend concurred) that this one is even better than the original one that sold.  I'm glad.  I appreciate his effort and support!

And I bet Susan Roden thought I was DONE with donuts - BWA-HA-HA-HA!

Spearmint Trio, Original Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

I've painted these candies before, but I really feel that doing the same subject a few times makes you 'know' it better.  Once agin, my Dad's birthday reminded me of these, as he always had a few tucked in every jacket pocket.  I miss him very much, and hope that somehow he sees and enjoys this painting!

I'm off for a week of painting on the Cape - lucky me - but I'll share what I do, probably by Wednesday I'll have some studies and plein air pieces to share.

Determination, Original Oil Painting by Kelley Carey MacDonald

SOLD

This little girl was stomping around the beach in her brand new pink Crocks, with her big sunglasses and pink bow in her hair, when I snapped her photo.  The beach in Nantasket is hard gray sand, which is really nice to walk on - or stomp on, as she was doing!  I loved her huge strides, her purposeful arm swinging, and her hairdo - all reminded me very much of my own Molly, when she was little. This painting was posted about 18 months ago, but the owner kindly brought it back to me so I could photograph it.  I'm thrilled that she feels the same way as I do about this little girl! 

I'm getting ready to head to the Cape next week for a week of uninterrupted painting.  Part of the deal is that I do a commissioned work for the owners of the cottage - a very generous couple who are collecting work this way.  So I will spend a portion of each day laying out plans for that, memorizing color, feeling the breezes, imprinting the sky so I can pick the best time of day to capture their chosen scene.

Where will I be exactly?  In Heaven, I think.

Distraction.... Original Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

SOLD

6x6 inches

Today I went into Dunkin Donuts to buy some jellies for a couple of commissions and well, they didn't look that great. Kind of flat - sweaty, too, if you know what I mean. So, OK, I thought I'll get an nice Iced Coffee and some munchkins for Paco, who was waiting patiently in the car - on this wonderfully cool, crisp day. Only... instead of the bin of plain munchkins there was a tray of Lemon Squares. Yeah, ... what the what??? Next to that was some raspberry creamy kind of squares...???? And then... 2 trays of cupcakes with sprinkles - wait - WHERE AM I? So I bought a chocolate with vanilla frosting, and ended up with this.

I am finally enjoying the September weather... I hope you are, too!

Always Responsibly, Original Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

SOLD

Last week Carol Marine came to my studio and gave a workshop. Today's post was trying to incorporate her lesson on the color wheel.

We had an amazing time! She's an artist who knows her stuff, and knows how to teach it to you as well. She's organized, thoughtful, generous and she gives each student attention. We had kind of new artists as well as seasoned veterans. But everyone was so friendly and nice - I've had such great feedback from them! Here's a shot of what I managed to do during the workshop:

Four paintings of the same subject, 10 minutes each  - on a 6x6 panel, and

Three paintings of the same subject, 24 minutes, 12 minutes, 5 minutes!

And here we are:

Gearing Up For Carol Marine!

This is an older painting that sold to a dear friend, but I've been pretty swamped getting ready for the Carol Marine Workshop I'm hosting at my studio.  I studied with Carol in September of 2008 (It was also memorable because it was the first week the news covered the implosion of the economy), and I was blown away by this serious, friendly, generous, extremely talented young woman, who took a room full of artists of varying degrees of experience, and showed them a thing or two or three!  We all parted as friends, and all felt enriched. 

I have just had a cancellation - and am trying to fill that one slot - are you interested?  It's Sept. 8,9 and 10 at my studio in Warren, RI.  Email me if you want for info!!

Strawberry Frosted II, Original Oil Daily Painting by Kelley MacDonald

Giving the strawberry one another try. Honestly I'm practically wiped out of donuts... so... "time to make the donuts!" Actually, probably the last donut for this week, but who knows. I'm in technology hell - having lost my cell phone (yes, in my own house - but it's been 3 phone-less days now, which is making me idgy), and damaged my land line (OK, one of my kids actually lost one phone, the other handset is dying a slow death). So I'm alternately ransacking the house and looking up new cell phones/land line handsets. Ugh. I should paint PHONES!

I'm also really snowed under packing and shipping paintings - which is a really nice place to be. I'm hosting Carol Marine - and yes, while we were full with a wait list - if you want to be considered email me at kcareymac@hotmail.com - I've got a couple of slots that have opened up!

Also, check out Susan Roden's latest donuts....

Lemon Filled, 8x8 Original Oil Painting By Kelley Carey MacDonald

They were all out of jellies. REALLY? I mean Dunkin Donuts, at 11:30 on a Sunday is all OUT of jellies? Well, I tried to work with a lemon filled..... Susan Roden will NOT expect this in the Donut War!!! Man, it's hot here, and I see that this will continue for the week! Maybe I'll have to paint ice cubes!!! Now THAT would be something!

Lozenge, Original Acrylic Painting by Kelley MacDonald

SOLD

I suppose I should actually call this "Lozenge II", because I see I've named another painting 'Lozenge'. Anybody got a good name for it? I'll change it, if you send me one I like! Does it look familiar? Yup, it's the view from my front porch. Every morning and every evening a different color scheme, a different atmosphere (well, I know it's the same atmosphere, but it LOOKS different).

I know a lot of artists don't like painting sunsets - too sweet, too much, too amateurish... but I simply don't care - I paint what inspires me, and man, this inspires me! Donuts again next post - watch out, Susan.....

End Of The Day Sizzle, Original Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

SOLD

This month my Challenge Group (Girls Just Wanna Paint) is painting The Sun. Well, I love sunshine, sunrise and sunsets, so that was perfect for me! My problem was deciding WHAT sun to paint! Here the sun lowers itself onto the horizon behind Aquidneck Island... Portsmouth, to be exact. Yes, it's the view from my porch. I know a lot of people think sunsets are too 'kitschy' but I find them serene, peaceful... inspiring, almost like a prayer. I used a little pure cadmium orange near the sun, and while it was very vivid, it made it's point! SIZZZLE!

Just letting the blood sugar settle down a bit... a day off from the donuts!

Same, But Different, Original Oil Painting By Kelley MacDonald

NFS*

This weekend I was part of the South Coast Open Studio Tour.  I was overwhelmed with the number of people who follow my blog who stopped by!  One gentleman came specifically (drove an hour) for a donut painting he'd seen on the blog that had 'pre-sold' (the purchase was just before the open studio, but I got to put the painting out to show it anyway), and he was very disappointed.  I promised to work on another one for him and would make sure he had one in hand by the end of Sept (I am hosting a Carol Marine Workshop in my studio AND spending a week on the Cape painting Ptown), so here I am, not only firing a SALVO to Susan Roden in our Donut War, but working on his piece!

I'm humbled by the sheer number of people who came and supported me this weekend - people I hadn't seen in YEARS, people I'd never met in person - it was great.  And now I have to try to catch up to mark my paintings sold on the blog that went to new homes!

*Not For Sale

Glazed Jellies, Original Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

SOLD

What can you do to improve Jelly Donuts? Dunk them in glaze. These are from The Coffee Shack in Marshfield, MA - I'm SO glad I don't live close by!

Susan Roden... truce till I'm done with my Open Studio this weekend?

11-5 - Paco says to COME ON DOWN!

Coffee Shack Coffee And..., Original Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

SOLD

I was in Marshfield, MA yesterday, and couldn't resist the pull from The Coffee Shack - it is a little coffee and donut shop with AMAZING donuts (and yummy coffee, too, as in *iced* that I sipped all the way home!). Here we have a half of a German Chocolate Donut atop an Old Fashioned Glazed. I'm going to ''like" Coffee Shack on Facebook, and you might want to, too! And stop in some morning when you're feeling decadent.. or blue... or cheerful.... or just plain hungry! So! Susan Roden... let's see what you fire back at me NOW!

I was channelling fellow Daily Painter Original painter Gwen Bell while painting this. I bought this napkin this weekend with her in mind, as I love her fabrics that she paints! It was fun, although I felt I was a little 'tight', a bit 'literal'... maybe doing more of them will loosen me up!

A Salty Dog, Original Acrylic Painting by Kelley MacDonald

SOLD

This lucky dog was heading out (and the fact that I have to explain that they were heading by some HUGE boats says I should maybe have done something differently in the painting) for a fun day on the water with it's people. A friend of mine had a wonderful yellow lab (now gone) named 'Salty', and she was just the BEST - so this is dedicated to her. Paco... do not be jealous.. you have a wonderful life!

Every day I'm getting ready for the Open Studio - today I actually painted a biggish painting of hollyhocks for the Bargain Table! I'm getting CRAZY!

Evening Song, 6x8 Original Acrylic Painting by Kelley MacDonald

SOLD

This is one of my favorite sunsets from my porch. Last time I used a taller canvas... this time more rectangular. I still think I'm going to do a HUGE one of these! I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. I enjoyed my time off and am 'off to the races' now. I have more plans for my 'donut war'... so I hope you don't mind!

Getting ready for my Open Studio on my front lawn this weekend - 11-5 ... you can see this view from there... I've heard from so MANY of you saying you were taking a girlfriend on this tour - I think they should call it the 

"Open Studio Girlfriend Tour"! So fun!

Dunkin Donuts Combo #1, Original Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

8x8 inches

SOLD 

After a couple of days of a truce in the Donut War, I am bringing out the Big Guns. TWO jellies, with a Medium Iced Coffee - regular cream and sugar. Take THAT, Susan Roden! (I know she's just going to come back with MORE ooey gooeey chocolate ones!)  
Two donuts and a coffee is a #1 Combo at DD's. You didn't know that?This thing has got to end soon because I've 'friended' Dunkin Donuts on Facebook, and have joined some kind of CLUB where they send me coupons - YIKES! OK.... it's scary to me that the EASIST part of the painting now is the clear red jelly. What is that saying about me? Too many jellies! I'm taking a couple of days for a mini vacation, but hope to have another post on Sunday - my husband has an idea for me to do a painting at the Sunapee Arts Festival - but I don't know about that!

BFF's, Original Acrylic Painting by Kelley MacDonald, 6x6

These girls were watching a street performance during my recent trip to Quebec City. Everyone around me was riveted by the young men break-dancing, but I was riveted by the crowd. These young girls struck a chord. You know how it was when you wanted to wear exactly the same thing as your best friend? It's a sweet time. Speaking of sweets, I want to reassure Susan Roden that I have defnitely NOT abandoned the Donut War, and she should be ready for some incoming fire!

Heading Out, Original Acrylic Painting by Kelley MacDonald, 6x6

I needed a slight break from the Donut War, so I took myself down to the dock and spotted this guy, in the early morning hours, setting off for a day on his boat. Although I don't have a boat, I completely understand how being in one for the day could remove you from your day to day cares.

I had the good fortune to attend the Outside The Box Opening Saturday night at the North River Arts Society in Marshfield, MA, where a zillion artists took 8x8 inch squares and painted something that was 'outside the box' for them. I couldn't help myself, I was bidding and bidding! There's some awesome artwork there. My husband finally gently took my pen and led me off for a late dinner - a nice little date - but I'll return to re-bid, as the show is open till 9/ll/10!!! I'm determined!

Salvo In The Donut War, Boston Cream Donut by Kelley MacDonald

A challenge to paint, a challenge to photograph! IRL there is a part of the cream that is in shadow - distinct from the donut in shadow. See, Susan Roden? I can do ooooey and goooey, too! Taking a break from donuts (much to my family's relief) this weekend - next week I'll mix it up - the war's not over, Susan.... not by a long shot!

Possible Casualty in the Donut War, original oil painting by Kelley MacDonald

Hmmmm... I knew there was a reason I never bought these.... WHAT A CHALLENGE! Translucent parts, glazed parts, shadow parts---aye-yi-yi! This was the 3rd effort at capturing the wonderful pastry. I think Susan Roden may take me prisoner over this one! Our donut war is fun (and friendly, no need to worry!)! But starting Monday I'll be alternating subjects again (surely there will be more donuts, but I'll need a new wardrobe if I don't start painting other things!).**

In the meantime, my Challenge Group, Girls Just Wanna Paint, has posted July's efforts. The topic is Fin, Fur or Feather.

** Where I come from these donuts are called "Crawla's" (you know, French Crawllers).

Rocket Launch In The Donut War, Original Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

SOLD

 

In a spirit of friendship, and painterly competition, my fellow Daily Painters Originals member Susan Roden and I are deep into a Donut War. Painting something so simple as a ball of fried dough, dusted in sugar, with juicy jam spilling out is an EXCELLENT exercise for our skills. It's all in fun, and no donut was devoured in the making of this painting....

This is a Dunkin Donuts Jelly

WHAT KIND of donut should I paint next?????

Think Outside The Box!

At the North River Arts Society, they have a fun event that's coming up.  Artists get an 8x8 inch square of foamboard and they have to think Outside The Box (or OTB) when they make a piece of art on it.  The pieces are not signed, rather they are assigned a number, and throughout August people can bid via Silent Auction on them.  So I was working on mine, and there's NO WAY I'm putting it up here, but I'll show you my brainstorm pieces - and my submission is inspired by one of these.  

The Opening is open to the public (and a good time will be had by all, I assure you!) and is the 7th at 7 p.m.   Join us if you can!

Also:  below, my Ammo For The Donut Wars:

Happy Birthday to my son, Conor!  

It Takes Two, 6x8 Original Acrylic Painting by Kelley MacDonald

The Donut Wars have begun! My blogger friend Susan Roden and I are engaged in dough warfare - I promise it's a fun 'fight' - and are painting our hearts out in donuts! This morning I trekked over to Allie's Donuts (the box, I swear, says Allie's Donuts... Rhode Island... as if everyone just KNOWS where it is), and yeah, we got lost .... twice. Finally enough of the "Don't you have your iPhone?" and "I thought you KNEW where this place was..." and we remembered - in our new car we have a built in GPS! D'OH! Rhode Island is a tiny state, but we had to drive over 2 islands to get to Allies, and pay EIGHT DOLLARS in bridge tolls! Yeah. For donuts.

I struggled a bit with the acrylic paint for no good reason. I am used to the creaminess of the oil paint, although I did the painting BELOW in acrylic, in a trip we've made an annual pilgrimage to P'town last Friday. No problems with the paint that day. With the perspective, with the flag, with the fleeting light, but the paint was fine! I hope you all had a good weekend, too!