Manager's Special, 6x6 inches, Original Oil by Kelley MacDonald

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I hadn't done a donut in a while, and this looked so tempting at Dunkin Donuts! A fellow painter at Daily Painters Originals keeps doing donuts and gets my craving going! So I'm fighting fire with fire - I'll TAKE your vanilla frosted, Susan Roden, and RAISE you a strawberry frosted with orange and pink dots! :) And yeah, I ate this one, after it sat under the lights filling the studio with the smell of warm dough and strawberry!

Doesn't it look sweet in the tiny donut box they gave me for the model?

Happy, 5x7, Oil

Pomeranians always look happy, and this little guy, who I met during the Scottsdale Gallery Walk a while ago, was no exception. He acted like a 'big dog', in that he was calm, and had a big presence. I let my brushstrokes emphasize his gregarious nature. He was quite a lot of fun to paint!


The previous post of the horse & buggy were from Quebec City!!!! Congrats to those who guessed it!

Taking The Romantic Route, 6x6 Oil

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Can you guess where this is? Guess and I'll tell you tomorrow. I always felt so bad for these horses in the heat, then when I walked around the block I saw two horses with their muzzles down in a low fountain. OK, if they get a good drink between rides. Otherwise, I'm thinking "Black Beauty" - which I must have read 4 times as a kid!

End Of Day Reflections, Acrylic 6x6

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Another view down the river. I never tire of it. This morning I woke up and saw the moon setting - I took photos and hopefully soon I'll show you that.

Are We There Yet? 6x6, Acrylic

This gaggle of Canada Geese was crossing the road down the street from me. It was a family - 3 youngsters and 2 adults (well, that's what it looked like), and reminded me of my own family and trips we'd taken. There was always the question, "Are We There Yet?" and my husband and I would look at each other like the 2 geese on the right. With a *sigh*.

Also, yes, these are "Canada Geese", as opposed to "Canadian Geese" as you sometimes hear... they don't have Canadian passports....

My husband's favorite part of this painting is the guardrail. Yup, the guardrail....


If you're down in the Duxbury way this weekend, I have 2 paintings in the Midsummer Members' Show at the Duxbury Art Association! I also have 20 little paintings at goooood prices in the members' studio sale!

Last Light, 6x6 Acrylic

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This painting was from a photo I took in Marshfield, MA. It's such a great place in the summer. I love the peach sky and the pale blue water. You know the time of day... everyone stands transfixed by the play of light between the sky and water.

Naptime, 6x6 Acrylic

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Oh, he's too warm to do too much else, here in July!  But truthfully... Paco is a CHAMPION napper. He can fall asleep sitting up.  Or licking my face.  I love the red blanket, too, it's almost like he picks a 'paintable' background sometimes!

I had a wonderful Open Studio weekend.  This was my 'soft' weekend, without invitations, etc.  The BIG one is in August - believe it or not,  it will probably be cooler.  I met so many interesting people, and saw lots of friendly faces from last year - it was great!  Lots of people were interested in classes and workshops, too.  I'm thinking of a couple of Painting Safari's - one in the RI area and one in Hull - where we paint outdoors at a different wonderful location each week.  I'll demo, then we'll paint and do a critique -it'll have just a nominal fee. Beginner to intermediate levels.   Shoot me an email if you're interested, and I'll put you on the mailing list.

Pug Dreams, 6x6 OIl

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Feeling a little guilty that I haven't updated Paco's Blog in over a month. I am just wayyyy overcommitted at this point. Trying to pare it down, but still have a lot of fun and paint daily. This is my view of Paco on a daily basis, because watching me paint is... just boring! I hope everyone has a great weekend, and if you're in the area, stop by at my Open Studio on my lawn in Tiverton! It Exit 5 off rte 24 -one mile south of the exit. It's the smaller Open Studio - I gear up for the August one, on the lawn as well. Part of the South Coast Open Studio Tour!

Maine Morning, 8x8, Oil

I just realized I've hit 600 posts - this is an amazing thing for me.  How quickly time flies!  I can honestly say I've enjoyed every post, and doubly enjoyed the new friends I've made through blogging! 

This was a plein air study done on the dock on the last painting day in Maine.  I loved the pink buoy!  I've got a bit of traveling to do, a little anniversary trip to Quebec where we spent our honeymoon, 33 years ago.  Aside from that I wrenched my neck and shoulder walking Paco last weekend, (he saw something behind us and ran full tilt while I was walking the other way!) and have been unable to paint!  Hopefully by Tuesday I'll be in the swing of things again, and I'll return dying to paint (I am already!).

Pemaquid Rocks, 11x14, oil

$150 & $10 S&ampH

These finger-like slabs of ancient rocks are made up of all types of stone squashed together during the last glacier.  I loved seeing the colors within.  This was done perched on a slab of stone across a tiny cove.  Any move could've sent me and my gear down onto the rocks in the water.  So I was VEEERRY careful.  Hope you're all enjoying family and fun this weekend....

We Want S'Mores! Oil, 6x6 inches

$100 & $10 Shipping and Handling 

This month our Challenge group, Girls Just Wanna Paint chose as it's theme 'Summer Desserts'.  My first thought was "MMMmm Watermelon!", But Page Railsback's gorgeous rendition of watermelon stopped me cold.  Then I thought "Oh!  An ice cream cone!"  And I saw that Nancy Colella did one of those.  So what then?  I was stumped till we had our own cookout and my son wanted s'mores.  So... last day of the month there I am at 5:30 a.m. building a charcoal fire, by 6 a.m. I was roasting a half dozen marshmallow's to the confusion of my neighbors.  The chocolate was ooey and gooey, and the marshmallows were so FLUID, but ultimately paintable.

Happy 4th of July to all of you!

Fragrant Mock Orange, 11x14, Oil

This is a view of part of the porch at the Maine farmhouse.  The Mock Orange  bush was in full bloom when we arrived, and more beautiful flowers bloomed daily.  If you've never smelled them, they kind of smell like Lilies of the Valley - on steroids.  My husband's grandmother, Margaret Croft, introduced me to this plant, and every time I smell them, I think of that generous and gracious lady.
$150 & $10 S&H via Paypal
Email me with questions at kcareymac@hotmail.com

Time To Get Painting, 11x14 Oil

This is the kitchen table at the farmhouse we stayed at in Maine.  The scene was to represent the end of coffee time and the breaking out of the paints and easels.  These were special mugs.  The one on the left is a Fiesta mug that I coveted, belonging to my first oil painting teacher and (now) friend, Valerie Vitali.  She brought it from home because it was important to have a cup you loved for tea/coffee.  I SO relate!  The other one was purchased ON THE WAY to Maine (my husband wasn't with me and thus couldn't restrain me as I approached the coffee shop and passed the Thrift Shop in South Boston!).  

Many of us were painting inside the house that day, Jody Regan and I were happily humming while we painted in the kitchen, and I must admit this painting was punctuated by frequent bursts of 70's songs sung by all of us in a most... er... enthusiastic manner (Think... David Cassidy - "I Think I Love You!).  At this point we were beyond feelings of shyness, and fairly rocked the house!
$150 & $10 S&H via Paypal
Email me with questions at kcareymac@hotmail.com

On The Rocks Of Maine, 11x14, Oil

At Pemaquid Point, I believe.  A devilishly hot day, with gorgeous blue water and slab-y rocks.  I know the rocks were gray but I could see all kinds of color in them.

$150 & $10 S&H via Paypal

Island at New Harbor, Maine, 6x8, Oil

Blue, blue... my world was blue... sitting on the rocky coast painting the islands around New Harbor, ME last week.  Funny, when I was done painting this I packed up and turned around for a last look, and the water was FILLED with bright buoys!  I guess all the lobster traps got filled!

Maine Boathouse, New Harbor, 8x8, Oil

This painting is of one of the boathouses across from the dock of the farmhouse in Maine that I stayed at last week.  It was a wonderful, exhilarating week, with some fabulous artists in an enchanting location.  Where to start?  The little cove that the property fronted on?  The amazing rocks that met the ocean at every turn?  The gorgeous boats, the pines that line the shore?   *sigh*  I have enough sketches and photos to last a year or more!  This is the first, from the first, clear, beautiful morning I was there.

Summer Sweetness, 6x6, Oil

Five years ago we planted a few strawberry plants in the garden - now we have strawberries filling every bed they can reach!  Like sugar, melting on your tongue, there is nothing, nothing like fresh picked strawberries....

$100 plus $10 S&H via PayPal

**I will be taking a Zen week this week, in Maine with some painting friends...  plein air paintings from this trip will show up here next week - see you then!**

Wonderful Night

Some of you asked to see the painting that got 1st prize at South Shore Art Festival this weekend - no, it wasn't a jelly donut, it was a painting of my pottery from Mexico.  Weird thing, the juror's comments were that he/she (I forget) liked the lemon and lime on the left side of the painting.  Yikes - I ALMOST painted them 'out' before submitting this!  It was so great to see my friends, (I had a friend drive for 2 hours on what should have been a 45 minute ride, and one of my sons spent THREE hours sitting in Boston traffic to get here, only to miss the ceremony by 20 minutes.  My husband's plane was late leaving, so he missed it, too) and Mary Sheehan Winn kindly became my photographer!  Valerie Vitali, an amazing, inspiring painter, friend, and my very first oil painting instructor, gave me a gorgeous bouquet!  After a scrumptious dinner at my favorite Chinese restaurant, I came home to this, below while I walked Paco.

And JUST TO PROVE that SOMETIMES I act in a domestic fashion, this is what I made for dinner last night: homemade jerk chicken and grilled sweet glazed grilled bananas... mmmMMmm  wish you all could have come and eaten it on the front porch with the above view!

Couple more things:  First, if you are on the South Shore and want to see some of my recent Daily Paintings, they are at Oceanside17 Gallery, 17 Rockland Circle, Hull, MA.

AND I'm on a painting trip with 7 fabulous artists in MAINE, all next week.  Internet is difficult.  I'll try to post, but will return with, hopefully, lots of new work!

Puttin On Airs, 6x6, Oil

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So these jellies (from Dunkin Donuts) wanted to hang out in a cut glass dish... who am I to deny them?  That top donut was so full it DRIBBLED down the side of the bottom donut and globbed up at the bottom of the dish!  Unless this gets sold beforehand, it will make it's debut at Oceanside 17 Gallery in Hull on Saturday evening, which is hosting a dinner for the South Shore Art Festival (where I am getting my first REAL 1st place award).  Now I can say that "awards don't mean anything".  Before I got this, they were elusive.  I know plenty of gorgeous paintings get passed up for awards at these shows, but every once in a while, it's so nice to hear that a judge liked what you did!  And that's the last you're going to hear about this from me. :)

Japanese Irises, 12x9, Oil

Sat in my garden and painted these last night.  I didn't have any of my small panels or boards, so I used what I could find - a 9x12 canvas.  The surface was a bit absorbent for some reason, and the paint went on in a washy, watercolor-like fashion - you can really see it on the bottom two flowers.  My irises are very special to me, and I have 3 types, bearded black, bearded ice blue, and these.  The black ones have gone by, and the ice blue ones got stomped by the small pug who runs my life.. :)  Oh, Paco!!!!

"Yes.....?" 8x8, Oil

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These sheep are favorites of mine, from a local farm.  I love to make the paint portray their wooliness.  I'm so grateful that I can get to these farms and photograph the animals.  They have such great personalities! 

$100 & $10 S&H via Paypal

Questions? Email me at kcareymac@hotmail.com

Moonrise Over The Sakonnet, 6x8, oil

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This is a view down the Sakonnet River where I live, in Rhode Island.  The land on the left is a peninsula called Nanaquaket.  I love the moonrise, and especially when I have the glow of a sunset going on as well.  Thanks for voting in my 'Subject Poll' on my blog, so I get an idea of what appeals to people.

$100 & $10 S&H via Paypal

Email me with questions at kcareymac@hotmail.com

Wild Morning Glories, 6x8, Oil

One of those days when I couldn't find inspiration, and did everything I could think of to put off painting!  As I was coming back to the studio after a walk, I stepped over these tiny white flowers embedded in the grass near the bike path.  I bent down, and to my surprise, found these lovely white morning glories!  So I picked one of the vines, and padded the end of the vine in wet paper towels, and proceeded to paint.  Here's the thing about Morning Glories and why you don't see them in vases - as soon as the vine is cut, they start to die.  As I sketched in my shapes, I noticed the cups of the flowers were sagging... and by the time I was applying paint to the board - a dead droop.  But this is what they looked like when I first cut them.  Sweet!

$100 & $10 S&H via Paypal

Email me with questions or help with purchasing at kcareymac@hotmail.com

Swirling Vase and Roses, 5x7, oil

My son made this pottery vase for me in kind of a 'swirl' pattern.  It's a creamy white and has spaces for about 5 rose stems to tuck in.  Roses continue to be a challenge for me, and so... I will continue to try to paint them! These were backlit - another thing I need practice on.

I have a poll on the top right hand side of my blog about my subject matter.  You can choose more than one.  I'm just curious about what you think my best pieces are.  

And thank all of you who voted for me in that contest.  I did not make it to the Top 5, but that's OK.  I enjoyed the ride, and, I'll keep myself busy....

A Cup Of Inspiration, 5x7 Oil

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Sometimes a cup of tea is just what you need.  This spicy tea has inspirational quotes - this one says "God has two homes, one in the Heavens and one in the heart of the meek and gentle.."  The cup was 'saved' from a tag sale, but I love the mint green with the little red design, too.

$100 & $10 S&H via Paypal

Questions? Email me a kcareymac@hotmail.com

Vanilla Frosted, 6x6, Oil

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*Special Announcement*

I am thrilled to announce that I have been invited to join a NEW group of online Daily Painters, called the Daily Painters Originals.  You'll see a lot of new links on my bloglist, they are really fine artists, and hopefully there will always be fun, fresh paint for you to look on our new site!

On National Donut Day I went in for my FREE jelly donut at Dunkin's... so excited to paint it on this red checked tablecloth, and.... they were OUT of jellies.  Hmmmm... Strawberry?  Out.   Well, so they had Vanilla Frosted, and I'd never painted one of those.  I do have to say that sitting under the lights makes the donuts SMELL fresh - a torture, I assure you!

$100 & $10 S&H via Paypal

Email me with questions at kcareymac@hotmail.com

Pick One! 6x8, Oil

Trying to get back in the groove of donuts, and feeling rusty!  I was listening to Leslie Saeta and Dreama  Tolle Perry on the radio show "Artists Helping Artists" about doing workshops.  I learned a lot, but I think I should EITHER listen or paint.  Today there was no option, as we have our Girls Just Wanna Paint meetup, and I had to run a bunch of errands, as well as whip up something tasty to share before hitting the road (not to mention puppy face-time!).  So hopefully more donuts to come.  

Our Painting Challenge for May is up and loaded - check it out!

I Love Peonies, 6x8, Oil

So that's just it.  I LOVE them.  These are the most amazing flowers ever.  I found this great vase at a yard sale, and the lady tried to tell me it was Depression Glass.  For $5, a big turquoise vase with glass polka dots... uh huh...  But it is gorgeous, and I knew I wanted peonies in it the minute I laid my eyes on it.  I loved painting every part of this - the variation in the white petals, the wonderful pinks in the outer petals, and need I say.. all the reflections in the VASE?  IThis little painting is going to be a reference for a BIG painting.  I'll let you know when it's done...

YUM YUM! 6x6 Oil

***Hooray, I made it to the top 10 of the Daily Painters' Contest!  Please go HERE and vote for me for this last round.  I'm asking that you click on the 5 gold stars!  The voting ends on the 7th of June - Thanks for all your help!***

The biggest reason I dislike Whole Foods market is the bakery department.  Man, I don't even have to be hungry to crave the beautiful desserts there!  This little 3 tiered cappuccino mouse confection was irresistible!  And, like a fool, I only bought the one, and wouldn't let anyone touch it, as it was a PROP for painting today!  As it sat under the lamp in my studio it slowly lost it's form, and turned into a gooey glob.  I, fortunately, had just finished my painting, so I grabbed a spoon to taste ONE bite!  MmmmmmMMmmm!  When I need something decadent, I think I'll hop over to Whole Foods from now on...  So fun to eat the little striped chocolate 'straws', too!

$100 & $10 S&H via PayPal, my email is kcareymac@hotmail.com

Demo at North River Festival, 6x8

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This painting of the Photography Exhibit Barn at North River was the demo I worked on on Sunday afternoon.  It was a beautiful day - the actual painting is brighter on the grass and on the tent top.  There's some really fine work at this exhibit.  The whole view, almost, for me, was in shadow, so that in itself was a challenge.  But I just kept plugging away, liking the way the orange underpainting was peeking though.  Thanks for those who visited, and who picked up the older Daily Paintings in the Barn...

Plein Air - Pink Evening, 9x12 Oil

This was a quick sketch done in oil of the sky and water across from my house.  I had to work really quickly, so it's very loose.  You guys have seen from my unenhanced photos that I'm not making this up - the sky at sunset here causes people to drive off the road!  Probably due to air pollution, but nevertheless breathtaking.  I like how the little house had lights on already in one room, too.  Because it's a 'Daily' painting, even though it's larger than my usual Daily Work, it's priced at

$100 & $10 S&H via Paypal

my email: kcareymac@hotmail.com

Enjoy your long weekend~

White Peonies, 6x8, Oil

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*note... I accidently priced my small paintings $25 less than 
my last event - $50 each at Art In The Barn, North River Festival! this weekend only!*

When I was a young and very foolish woman I actively disliked Peonies.  I had my husband dig up (I'm shuddering just thinking of this) vast beds of them around our first house because they had ants all over their flowers.  Years later when I learned how wonderful gardening is and flowers in general I repented - and then begged for Peonies all around the yard.  I know now the ants help eat the sticky stuff off the petals so they can open.  I have 4 beautiful varieties in the yard, now, these being the simplest, just white - with, occasionally, a streak of magenta along the edge of a petal. 

Sublime.

$100 & $10 S&H via PayPal

Woo-Hooo Duck! 6x6 Oil

In a lighthearted mood... this little duck was given to me for my birthday, but I keep him around everyday because he makes me smile.  Reminds me that friends make me laugh, and so, he's my little 'party animal'!

I promise something more serious for the next post!  In the meantime, I'm excited to go to the Gala Opening of the Art Festival in Marshfield tonight - it's never happened that I got two paintings in, so I wouldn't miss this for the world!  And Sunday I will be painting there from 1-5, which is like Old Home Week - sometimes I have to finish the painting afterwards.  Last time I spent a lot of time taking pictures of all the cute dogs!  Don't think I'll do it this time, I don't want to make Paco jealous!

And, in case you think I took them for granted, I realllllly appreciate your comments guys.  It tells us bloggers that we're not 'blogging into the wind', to paraphrase....

Plein Air - Beach! 6x8 Oil

My monthly Challenge Group meets next week, and the assignment this month was "Plein Air - Beach"!  So Paco and I headed over to the beach across the street before anyone else was there (hence the long shadow from the Lifeguard's chair.  The view is looking down the river, past Little Gould Island, with Aquidneck Island (think Newport) on the right bank and Tiverton and Little Compton on the left - of which you can only see a little peek of Tiverton in this painting.  The little piece you can see is called "Fogland" - and I just love to go there when it is foggy - it's like another world.

Now, here's the scene from my evening walk with Paco - facing the opposite way up the river...

Peace.

Bloggers don't forget Leslie Saeta's Radio show "Artists Helping Artists" today - noon-the topic is "Selling Art While You Sleep" - which is OK in my book!

Little Blue Birds, 6x6 Oil

A couple of weeks ago my Challenge Group met at my studio in Warren, RI.  A couple of girls came down early and we hit the antiques stores (we have REAL antiques stores, where you can really find good things!) together.  At the Wren and Thistle I found these two ceramic birds - irresistible!  So different from painting plein air, and tough to shift gears.

This painting is $100 & $10 S& H via Paypal

I want to share some valuable information with other bloggers, too.  Today I found Leslie Saeta's blog and saw that she has a radio program on Thursdays at noon about Artists Helping Artists.  She has the links on her blog so if that's a bad time for you it's there when you can listen at your leisure.  Thusday's topic is:  Sell Your Art While You Sleep!  Check it out!

Hazzards Of Plein Air

This 8x10 is one I left for my hostess at the beach house.  I loved the way the light hit the closed green shutters! I did it at early light, and it is a house across the street that you could see from the kitchen windows.  No fear, I did it outside.  However, I foolishly laid it down on the patio to dry out a little in the heat of the day, and left to paint somewhere else - and all kinds of sand, dirt, and debris blew onto the wet paint.  When the paint is dry she can brush this off, but sheesh!  

I love doing this, leaving a painting for the owner of a place I've gone to paint.  I have another paint-a-thon coming up this Fall on Cape Cod, where I get to stay the week and paint like crazy, and they get to choose a painting.  Wonderful for me, I hope also wonderful for them!  They get to collect original art and it's off-season, so they're not really losing any money!  So!  If you know of anyone who has a vacation home and would like to trade a painting for time spent there in off-season, let me know!

Sue's Shed, 8x10, Oil

This was the plein air piece that was my favorite from my Marshfield paint out!  At this point in the day a few other painting buddies had arrived and we staked out this shed in the backyard of where I was staying - positioning ourselves around it.  My favorite part is the buoys hanging on the shed.  Or maybe the shadow from the overhang of the roof. It just flowed... bing, bang, boom.

*A note about the DailyPainters.com contest... only one vote per IP address counts, so that's good!

This painting is not a Daily Painting per se, and I am reserving it for a summer art show entry.

At Rexhame Beach, 6x12, OIl

Plein Air Perfect Day!  It was warm and sunny, very little breeze.  This is of the marshes in the back of Rexhame Beach - those buildings run along the dunes and beach itself - which was so, so gorgeous I couldn't hope to capture it!  I was painting with a friend who is a master of buildings in a landscape, so was inspired to do this view.  Tomorrow I'll post what I think was my best piece this week!  I've been internet-challenged for a couple of days - no email, posting, or even Facebook!  I think it's like fasting... something you should do every once in a while to get you grounded again!  Apparently evil squirrels had chewed a hole in the cable running across the street from the utility pole into our house.  The man fixing it said he'd never seen anything like it.  Welcome to my life ;)