Cupcake III, 6x6 Original Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

SOLD

Here's the final of the cupcake trio.  I guess I've been really intent on the cupcake scene - because today was my husband's birthday, and what did I do?  Bake cupcakes!  

Mine were white cake with light chocolate buttercream frosting.  We took them to brunch in Boston and shared with our grown children after a nice brunch.

Susan Roden is preparing a retaliation I think... so we'd better duck!  I've got frosting all over the walls here......  I think tomorrow it will be non-food items - I need a long walk!

Cupcake II, Original Oil Painting by Kelley Carey MacDonald

SOLD

6x6 inches

This Dunkin Donuts cupcake is possibly going to live with the first one I did.  I've done a couple for the collector, and she gets to choose today's or tomorrow's cupcake.  The other one will be for sale after she decides. I used to dread painting the frosting, but now I luuuurve it!  And the paper cupcake cup... I love making the edges, the folds and the glow.  I guess what doesn't kill us makes us stronger!

Hey... Susan Roden!  Lookie here - flinging the frosting at you in California!

I'm hoping you all had a warm and happy Thanksgiving.  We sure did here, and are pretty much all healthy again, which, .... hey, we were thankful for that, too!

Here's something I'm grateful for that I never, ever thought I would be.  I went out and bought a new recliner today - something else I never thought I'd do.  But lately my 4 o'clock 'power nap' has turned into a circus, with either or both of the cats, plus Paco and me on my Dad's old recliner (think Frasier's Dad's..).  The spring on one side was shot, so you leaned waaaay to the left, and you had to kick wildly to get the foot rest down.  We won't mention the cat 'decorations' in the beige (lovely color) upholstery.  Anyway, you know what I realized?  I bought the same... the SAME recliner, only about 20 years newer.  Same color.  Size.  Feel.  Me and my Dad are connecting, I guess.  

And I'm thankful for that, too.

Three More Jellies, 6x6 In Original Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

SOLD

Look familiar?  A very nice customer asked for a donut painting, and liked the 'Three Jellies".. so I got 3 more jelly donuts and here it is.  I have to admit I like the stack of three. These were just luciously full. Every batch of donuts comes out a little different (yeah, I would notice that) and some are darker, some powderier, some fuller, etc.  This was also the subject of the commission I lost due to tardiness, and I hope someday to meet THAT customer and make her her own!

OK, in this post I made up TWO words.  

And heads up - I will be doing some fun giveaway the first week of December, AND have a couple of announcements!  It's all good!

And did you see Carolyn Finnell's portrait of my little Paco?  TDF!  Yup.  I bought it!

Pair Plus One, 6x8 Original Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

More of these Asian Pears... mmmmMMmm...  I painted this one on a canvas board- the one from yesterday was on a smooth Gessobord.  In other words, this surface had more 'tooth'.  I find I like the way the paint glides onto the surface of the smoother board.  Just a nice feeling when I'm painting.  It's funny, when I first started oil painting I had this great teacher, Valerie Vitali, who made you believe you could achieve anything you wanted with paint.  She would gush about painting on hard surfaces, like paper, and I would try and imagine how I could love anything more than a springy, textured canvas.  Now I know.  It only took me years to get there, but I agree!  One of my goals for next year is to try to buy some large sized wooden panels to do bigger pieces on.  I don't have the patience for framing paintings on paper, although I do love painting on it as well!

Kind of out of it today, as a cold kept me up almost all night. Between the wheezing and the 2 cats and 1 pug on top of me, I barely slept!  But one good thing I found out - I had a painting make it into the Best And Brightest Show in Scottsdale!  It'll get rotated into the huge 10 week Celebration Of Fine Art Show in Scottsdale Gallery area! 

Happy Birthday to my lovely daughter, Molly!

One Pair, Original 6x6 Inch Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

SOLD

The only thing about painting with a glossy black background is it is a bear to photograph.  Suffice it to say I'll get a better shot and substitute it!  

These Asian Pears were SO beautiful I bought a bag full.  Examining each one for a graceful silhouette, I'm sure I looked a bit (to say the least) odd at the market, holding each huge pear at arm's length and squinting at them, putting some aside, some in the bag right away.  Some were more golden orangey and some more yellowy-green. FULL of personality.

At the end of this painting session my dear husband said "Are you going to leave it like that?"   "Like WHAT?"  I (kind of) nicely asked.  "Well, all stroke-y..." he said.  And I must have looked at him like a grizzly, because he said "Of course you are!  They look great.  I was just asking..."

Ask away.....

Moonrise Over Wellfleet, 6x6, Original Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

SOLD

Viewed from Provincetown, the moon coming up over Wellfleet is breathtaking.  It's a visual meditation.

I'm busy in the studio these days doing some fun commissions.  All my holiday paintings except for one set that's going to Newport are delivered and hung.  WHEW!  And in all the mayhem I did lose one commission because I didn't get it done on time.  I'm sorry for that, but mostly because I feel I let that person down.  As my Mom used to say: Live and Learn.  I'm trying, Mom!

Near Rexhame, 8x8 Original Acrylic by Kelley MacDonald

Reserved

Behind Rexhame Beach in Marshfield, MA, is a marshy, sandy area with beach roses and paths in and around the dunes.  I spent some truly wonderful hours there with painter friends this Spring, and enjoyed this little piece of heaven.

Thank you to everyone who came to the Opening at Bella's in Rockland.  What a hoot to see our names up in lights!  Your support and friendship means the world to me!

North River Arts Holiday Sale!!! Sat & Sunday 10-4

Really, there's some amazing art showing up there.

  I've priced mine well, and included very recent pieces this year. 

 It's set up alphabetically, and my standing bin has magenta and lime green pompoms - go have a BLAST!!!

Great kick-off for gifts, or to add to your own collection!

*there's an early admittance at 9 a.m. on Saturday for $15 - very smart!*

Here's their link!  Enjoy!

  

Just Amazing, 4x4 Inch Original Oil Paintings by Kelley MacDonald

This is a sunset that I saw from my front porch, over the Sakonnet River.  Sunsets give me such peace, such hope, such a sense of centering.  If I couldn't see the sunset like this every night, I'd plaster a wall with paintings of them - like my friend Mary's daughter did who lives in NYC.  It just stops you in your tracks and lets you really breathe.  

Bella's Show and American Art Collector 11/10 Issue!

First of all I'd like to invite EACH and EVERY one of you to the Artists' Reception that Sally Dean and I are having for our show at Bella's Restaurant in Rockland, MA.  And I'd like to correct that the hours are daily from 11: 30 a.m.    Reception: 5-7 on Sunday, November 14th.  We'll be there with bells on and would really love to see you!

And yay!  The November Issue of American Art Collector Magazine  has arrived, and in it you will find a very nice article on "Small Works And Miniatures".  It talks about the wonderful online Gallery I participate in, the Daily Painters Originals, and features some samples of works.  My painting below has also been included in the ad, and I am just thrilled.

Yummy Jelly, 6x6 Inch Original Painting by Kelley MacDonald

Reserved

All this one needs is my signature block.  Once again, working from life, Alla Prima with a fresh pudgy donut from Dunkin Donuts, this time it was a demo at the wonderful Furnace Brook Middle School in Marshfield, MA.  This school is lucky enough to have a Parent Organization that subsidizes the children's art education by funding an Artist In Residence Program the first Friday of every month.  Two artists are enlisted to produce work, and expose the children to different types of artistic processes.  My plan was to do my little Daily Painting, and alongside it, let the children paint one slightly larger, 8x8 inches.  They are enthusiastic, curious and polite.  

I hope I am not boring you with this, but here we are at a relatively early stage.  I set up the 'guard rails' of the drawing, so none of us would go 'off the road' too much.

Each child got to put a couple of strokes of oil paint on the panel.

And below - the finished product - I think they did a heck of a job - I better watch out for these guys!

Coffee Cupcake, 6x6 Original Painting by Kelley MacDonald

SOLD

My new friend, neighbor and fellow artist, Susan Medyn, gave me a box of GORGEOUS and delicious cupcakes from a Boston area bakery.  I had trouble painting many of them, wiper after wiper, but then this one got it's turn.  It was creamy, and dreamy and soooo fun to paint.  So I'm flinging the frosting over to California to another Susan, Susan Roden!  Let's see what she comes up with after getting hit with a coffee cupcake!!

Carolina Herrera's Runway, 5x7 Oringial Acrylic Painting by Kelley MacDonald

$100 & $10 S&H

My Challenge Group, as I mentioned yesterday, had the topic of "Fashion".  Now, although I know some people see me as a fashion fiend (NOT!) I am kind of laid back in that department.  Still, I like to know what's what.  I think I'd enjoy going to an actual runway show someday.   I'd love to see the notes the serious Fashion Police take in the first row.  Probably something like "Black and White" or "Sleeveless Blouse" or "Weird Straw Hats"... just so we'll know what will get filtered down to us peon who shop in 'regular' stores!

Guess Who? Original Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

$100 & $10 S&H

My Challenge Group's assignment this month was "Fashion" - YIKES!  In my memory, the icon for fashion for my mom was Jackie Kennedy Onassis.   Anyway, I did this painting and then decided to do a different one.  It'll be posted by dinnertime on the Challenge Blog, check it out!.  I have a little tweaking of it to do.

Today I am hanging my show I'm having with Sally Dean at Bella's Restaurant in Rockland, MA on Rte 228.  It'll hang till Jan 2.  The Artists's reception is November 14th from 5-7.  We would LOVE to see you there!

End Of A Very Good Day, Oil, 12x6 Original Oil by Kelley MacDonald

SOLD

This one WILL be about $200 (framed) when it goes on sale at the Art Club's Holiday Sale.  It's my first year participating, and I'm very excited!  I did this one today after class - we did more value studies - I did one good one, one awful one.  I can never do those enough, it's like I learn a lesson with each one!  This wine was a delicious French red, a Chateau Larose Trintadon, a Medoc.  Take my word for it, there SHOULD have been none left!

Sunny Flowers, Original Acrylic Painting by Kelley Carey MacDonald

9x12

NFS

This is a demo I did for my 'story board' at Michaels.  Let me tell you, there are entirely different skill sets for painting... and for collage/poster making.  I spent THREE hours today trying to make tiny stickers in the shape of letters explain briefly the painting process.  I think, in the end, it looks more like a ransom note, where all the individual letters are cut from different spots in magazines - all crooked and tilting.  People at the store were very kind.  However, about once a minute someone, seeing me in my 'Michaels' uniform, would ask me where something was.  Now... I only know where the art supplies are!  And, well, the flowers, as I was standing in the middle of them.  

Anyway, if you go to the Michaels' in Middletown and see my storyboard - do not laugh.  :)  I hope I paint better than I make posters!

Below... two of the steps in between...

The initial sketch 

And the block-in

Tulip Fields In Lisse, Original Acrylic Painting by Kelley MacDonald

NFS

This is a demo for a 'story board' for an Acrylics class I'll be teaching at Michael's Art & Craft Store.  The steps leading up to it are below.  This is what I was doing all weekend, 4 of these demos in acrylic.

Mum's The Word, Original Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

SOLD

These mums are called Flamingo.  They're a new kind, and they are deep pinky salmon with orangy centers.  Now that I've uploaded it I can see glare in the middle of the photo - apologies.  I'll try again tomorrow, hopefully with better light.

I thought this would be a tedious painting, but it turned out to be downright joyful to paint!  I loved the way the depth just kind of evolved, loosely, with various leaves and stems.  Normally I'd overwork this part, but somehow I didn't feel the need to!

We did value studies in class today - SUCH a valuable lesson, no matter HOW long you've been painting!

Be Stress Free, 6x6 Inch Original Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

SOLD

Phew!  The Open Studio was a wonderful day, seeing old friends and meeting new!  I took yesterday *off* except for some work on Commissions.  Today this tea bag wrapper said "Be Quiet. Be Still. Be Stress Free." It was Chamomile, and smelled wonderful! Good advice for everyone, me included!

Here's some photos from the Open Studio - my favorite is the little cluster of girls working on a sketch book one of the young artists brought with her - I see a bright future as an artist for her!

   

AND one blogger friend, JoAnn Elig, came and brought her OWN donut painting for me to see!  She really blew me away with this one, beautifully framed, too!

(Jo Ann, I apologize, the lighting is horrible - you AND your painting looked much better in person!)

Spearmints III, 6x6 Original Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

SOLD

This was the demo from my class held at my studio yesterday - can you say 'fun'?  These gals are great!  How lucky am I?  

Then it was home to bake Bake BAKE goodies for my OPEN STUDIO at the Warren Walkabout/Discover Warren on Sunday.

I'm at 32 Cole Street 2nd Floor - come see my space, I'd love to have you visit!

Crayolas, 6x6 Inch Original Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

SOLD

My fellow DPO'er, Dana Cooper did a series of crayola crayons recently - and I loved them.  Wanted to paint them sooo bad!  (I have a bad crayon story from kindergarten!)  Well, I'll tell you they were a challenge!  Long thin poles with wrappers with designs - whew!  Well, I'm having fun making posters for my Open Studio in Warren this weekend (see upper right side of my blog) - I find the more you fool around with Microsoft Work, the easier it gets.  

And in case you haven't heard, the pug who thinks I'm poisoning him with expensive gently cooked-no by-products dog food WILLINGLY crunched open the 'level' part of a level that fell onto the floor - yeah, they're filled with ethanol, so we had to call Poison Control for him!  He's fine...

Citrus Cupcake, 6x6 Original Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

Susan Roden has been flinging frosting at me during this Frosting Fight!  All the way from California I took hits this weekend~!  This delicious cupcake was only ONE of a dizzying array of flavors (I can vouch for the Strawberry!) of beautiful cupcakes at the new CupCakery in Westport, MA.  The only fault I see is they somehow (?) have neglected to make coconut cupcakes.  Anyway I've been busy getting ready for my Open Studio next weekend, getting set for my Painting Class this coming Thursday in my studio - AND I've had a wonderful visit from friend and fellow blogger Amy Hillenbrand!  My husband and I took Amy and her husband Bob on a "3 hour tour" (a la Gilligan) of Rhode Island.  We me in Carol Marine's class in Santa Fe, and she invited me to stay with her when our Workshop Women (from that class) had a reunion in Austin this past January.  It is amazing that blogging brings friendships that are so dear and wonderful - what a thrill to be a part of all this!  As a younger woman - heck, 5 years ago I never could have imagined I'd be 'friends' with women I've never seen in person!  Long story - sorry.

Below, I will show you cupcake #2 - also was wiped out to make way for the more successful one, above.  It had no...ooomph.  Boring composition.  Yes, it was a recognizable cupcake - but, as they say on the South Shore of Boston - it did not survive the 'so what?' question.  So I changed the composition, and background color, and I think it's better.  You?