Salt Water Taffy, 5x5 Inches, Acrylic

SOLD

Another one for my show at Nest in Dedham in September.

If you are interested in this, you would have to call Nest to arrange the purchase.  Salt water taffy is really cute and sculptural.  I have been painting like a madwoman, and loving every minute of it.

Birds On A Fence, 12x12 Mixed Media

This is another for my show at Nest in Dedham, for the month of September.  I painted on the Cape last week for a few days, and on our way home, Sally Dean and I attended a talk on mixed media by artist Mary Moquin, who is one of my favorites.  She is doing oil and cold wax medium work, and I was completely inspired.  So I picked up some cold wax and mixed it with my oil paint in this.  It makes the paint thicker and 'waxy', and leaves it a little translucent. Still fiddling around and working it out, but I was happy with how this came out.

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!

End Of Day Reflections, Oil, 5x5 Inches

This is one of my favorite types of sunset - and that's Aquidneck Island with Island Park over to the right.  I love the hot orangy pink that burns up the sky.  This little 5x5 baby will be first shown at Nest, a wonderful shop in Dedham Center.  My show will be hung on the 1st of September, and the Opening is September 10, Saturday, from 4-7.  This size painting will be $150 - no need to frame as it's on cradled hardboard for a contemporary look.  If you prefer a traditional frame, you it is easy for your framer to pop in, as it's only a 3/4 inch cradle.

I've been asked to do a 'sunset' 1-day workshop in the Hingham area.  If you'd like more info, email me!  

I'm off to Provincetown to paint for a few days and will post from there!

SOLD

Sorry, sorry to Susan Roden, that this photo is full of glare!  She has to set up something to deflect this triple threat in the Donut War!  These babies were literally oozing wonderful jelly!

These sold on the first day of my 2 day Open Studio weekend. 

Let me just say I was slack-jawed AMAZED at the people who drove and drove and drove to visit!  CT, VT, NH, ME, South Shore of Boston, North Shore of Boston, all around RI - I was simply floored.  These guys just know me from my blog and are awesome!  I met some people who I never knew, but who 'know' me from this blog.  People were so familiar with the Daily Paintings and pointed out their favorites.  Some people actually brought ME treats - and among the most fun were a donut T-shirt and a pound of Dunkin Donuts Coffee (Ivy!  Thank you!)  

On another subject, the new camera was GREAT.  Nikon P7000.  36 zoom AND a viewfinder.    This photo, the only one I have since I just got the camera on Fri and this sold on Saturday, was taken in sub-optimal conditions, as it was literally going out the door.  I'm trying to keep up and mark the 'sold' ones on the blog, and this week I'll add them to the 'Sold' page.  Fabulous weekend, thanks to all who stopped by!

Camera Escapades!

SOLD

This little 5x7 inch painting will be part of the drastic $35 clearance.  Sorry about not posting new paintings - but we have a camera thing going on here.  I ordered a Nikon P7000.  Then I went in and thought the P500 was better (it was more expensive) so I changed my order.  It came in today and I dropped everything to go get it.  When I got there I realized the P500 had a 7x zoom, but the first one I wanted had a 36x zoom - auuuugh!  So I said I wanted that first one.  Only they didn't have it and they wanted to send it to me, so I opted to get the similar Cannon version, which they wrote up and THEN discovered they didn't have THAT in stock (are you following this or have you fallen asleep?).  Maybe Friday the P7000 will show up at my house!   So.  Short and long, I abandoned all my work for my Studio Salem, spent the afternoon at Hunts .... with no camera, so no new photo of  work...  Maybe tomorrow!  

An Example

SOLD

I got quite a few emails about whether or not the previous post 'Glory' was going to be one of the $50 paintings at my upcoming studio sale.  No, none of the 30x30 sunsets will be 'clearance'.  But here is an example that will be.  There will be a number of 'new' paintings in that category.  Since this is the last year I'm selling at that level, I'm going to have a blast practically giving things away.  

(and if you have bought a big sunset painting, you are eligible for a discount if you decide to buy another one)

Glory, 30x30 Inches, Oil

This painting will be making an appearance at my Open Studio this weekend on my lawn in Tiverton.   It'll be joining new works and lots of current Daily Paintings.

I promise that there will be new Jelly Donut paintings reserved for the Open Studio!  I am having camera issues, so for the next couple of days I will be posting  things that I already have images of on my computer.

Also, for those of you who enjoy the Extreme Markdowns that I've had for the past few years - I'm doing it one more time!  So there are quite a few new larger paintings that will go for the outrageous price of $50!  And lots and lots of older Daily Paintings that will be $35.  This is the last time I'll be doing this, so I hope you get to take advantage of it!

Directions:  Exit 2 off of Route 24.  South on Rte 177 for one mile.  Just past Coastal Roasters on the left!

Scottsdale Mug & 2 Jelly Halves, 6x6 Inches, Oil Painting

LOTS of technical difficulties around here!  For example, my trusty camera has finally bitten the dust.  After painting this I packed it in the car and took it and my camera to Hunt's Camera in Providence.  They couldn't get the camera to focus either, and finally pronounced it officially non-functioning.  I'm getting another camera this week, but in the meantime, they actually took the memory card and put it in a new camera and took some shots for me.  My new camera will be in around Thursday, and I am so excited!

Getting ready for my Open Studio on the South Coast Open Studio Tour on Saturday and Sunday, August 20 and 21.  Crossing my fingers for good weather!

Come on over!  Exit 2 off of Rte 24 in RI.  Go south 1 mile, and ...voila!

I painted this jelly-full donut in response to Susan Roden's volley - it is Monday, so it's the Donut War Day!  Susan thinks her trifecta of sugary sweetness will *splat* my jellies against a wall.  I say.. we divide and conquer!  Reinforced by one of my favorite mugs - one from Scottsdale Artists School.  I loved my class there.  Can't wait to do another one!  On the scorching red mug, is a symbol of a palette, and the words "Scottsdale Artists School"... as if I could forget!!!!

Happy Chair II, Oil, 18x24

This is not for sale - it's a gift to my husband.  You see, my painting trip to Maine was the day after our anniversary (34 if you must know!), so we kept our celebration low key - with dinner at a favorite restaurant.  No presents - I was too busy packing and planning!  When I came home, the next morning Tim asked if I wanted to go for a ride... well, I'd just driven home from Mid-Maine, but yeah, we always have good adventures, so I said sure.  He wanted to stop at the studio and I got a little...idgy.  I didn't FEEL like hanging around the studio.  I said I'd wait in the car.  "No.." he said, "I may be a while."  Well.  I kind of got annoyed.  Were we going for a ride or not?

Fast forward:  I went up to the studio with him, he opened the door - and there was this chair I have been LUSTING after at a local antique shop, and an additional gift of a charm bracelet (I didn't think he was listening...) I'd always loved.

I had a LOT of fun painting this - and the background ... well, you can click to enlarge it - it's kind of crazy - I was totally in a zone.

Cerisnolla Olives, 6x6 Inches, Acrylic Painting

SOLD

There's an Italian section of Providence called Federal Hill, and there are tons of restaurants lining the main drag (Atwells Ave.).  One of my favorites is Constantine's Venda Ravioli.  You can eat outside (al fresco?) facing a little square with a big fountain, or indoors, literally tucked into the shevles and bins of food prep utensils and cappuccino makers.  The entire center of the shop is a huge rectangle which sells cheeses, olives, prepared food and meats.  I was there last week and was captivated by the large, meaty black, red and green olives called Cerisnolla Olives.  A plate of different kinds of olives, some crusty bread, excellent olive oil and some cheese... what more could a person want?

Fiesta Morning Break w/Jellies, 6x6 Inches, Oil Painting

SOLD

Another casualty in the Donut War with Susan Roden - OH!  So drippy and sweet!  The Fiesta cup is part of a gift from a good friend, Jane, who I reconnected with on Facebook a couple of years ago - literally we hadn't really seen each other in a decade - maybe two!  We were kindred spirits when we both worked for a law firm in the 70's  - YOW, that's a long time ago!  Then I moved away, then she moved away, etc. etc...  and it was so great to 'discover' her again.  So.... Facebook can be a pain, and annoying, but it can also be a GOOD thing!  As in... does everybody want to know what I'm cooking for dinner?????  I'll save you the click to FB.... Hamburgers & Sweet Corn, and Tomato Salad!

Spearmints IV, 6x6 Original Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

SOLD

This painting wasn't actually due to post today, but the eggs I painted, apparently are abhorrent to my camera because it WILL NOT focus on the painting.  Seriously - about 18 shots... all very blurry.  I actually went to get a new camera today, not the one I wanted.. can't afford that one just yet, but a little replacement - and I showed the man my camera and said "It won't focus on close up things - a boat in the river, sure, but anything close, no."  So the man took a whole bunch of really clear shots of things 2, 3, 4, 5 feet away and said "There's no problem here....."  And, puzzled, I took the camera and started taking pictures of everything... perfect.  Wow, I thought.  I'm really losing it!  Even in the car back to the studio, I took pictures of my feet, of the GPS map, of my husband.... perfect.  It was a little like when the kids were little and had an awful cough, and you got the nurse to squeeze you in to see the pediatrician, and when you get there - no cough.

BUT... when I got back to the studio and tried to photograph my painting of blue eggs -  blurry.  I'm about to hurl this little camera right into the river...

Peaceful Garden, 8x8 Inches, Oil Painting of Linden Place Garden

SOLD

Today the Painting Safari was held at Linden Place in Bristol, RI.  (Our last one of the Summer!)  This lovely mansion is now a museum, and you can take a tour as well as walk the beautiful grounds.  Of all the places and things I could paint, I was drawn to this small garden area, with the beautiful green hydrangeas and pink lilies, not to mention the fabulous red, white and blue buntings.  Behind the fence was a sort of barn - it looked too lovely to actually house livestock, perhaps it was a carriage house.  When all the architecture is white, you have to squint down and look hard for color bouncing from all over, to make the white *delicious*.

A further upside to todays' effort was while I was about 2/3 done a beautiful pug wandered out from some door I couldn't see in the garden area.  I was in heaven, as I was missing Paco (I didn't think he'd be welcome there)!  And then... I kid you not, a beautiful orange tabby cat strolled out from the same area!  I met their owner, and we gushed about pug-love - she even has ANOTHER pug!  

Anyway, this painting was one of those that just kind of falls together - with a lot of measuring and squinting! :D

Torn Jelly Donut, 6x6 Inches, Acrylic

SOLD

It's Monday! and that means a new battle in the Donut War with Susan Roden!  Truly, this casualty was quite accidental!  I was headed to the set up with my new painting lamp, and a nice, plump jelly donut.....  the next thing I knew only half of it was remaining, and it was oooozing jelly!  What's a painter to do?

I plopped that baby under the new light and used acrylics this time - the same, but different...  It's a hot day, and I had a fan on me (had to wrestle my way in front of it - Paco and Harry the Orange Cat both felt THEY should have the fan... ) and the acrylics dried so fast!

I'm starting some paintings for a show in Dedham in September - so you will probably see them in the coming weeks.

Hey - it's August - how'd that happen???

Kenny II, 6x6 Inches, Oil Painting

$100 & $10 S&H

This guy is a model for my Girls Just Wanna Paint Group.  He's so adorable.  But I do love the close up!  One thing - kitty paws are really awesome to paint - I think I'm going to do one more - of him on his back - he is a HAM!

Plein Air Provincetown, 8x8 Inches, Oil Painting

$100 & $10 S&H

Wednesday I partook (that's a word, huh?) of our annual Jeep Trip to Provincetown, MA.  Three other artists and I, for years now, have piled into Paula Villanova's Jeep and headed down Rte 6A, then to Rte 6, landing in Heaven On Earth.  If you've never been there, this little town is the very tip of Cape Cod, surrounded on 3 sides by water.  It's kind of low, and the light is incredible.  It's a very colorful town, a mix of verve and sass and chic and history.  There are lots of really good galleries.  A place to see some important work.  The tourists are very interested in art, and have lots of comments ("NEEDS MORE RED!" shouted by a man riding a bike down the street).

Anyway, we stopped to see the exhibit at the Chatham Creative Arts Center of Charles Sovek's work.  Going right now to watch the DVD I got there which featured him....

Last Safari of the Summer was today - and that painting will be posted Tuesday.  We were at Linden Place in Bristol, RI - a drop-dead gorgeous place which had so many subjects - well, there will be more paintings inspired by that place coming!

Chocolate Munchkins and Iced Coffee, 8x8 Inches, Oil Painting

SOLD
Donut War Ammo of the Day: Chocolate Munchkins!

There's a little girl here in New England, who very, very soon is going to be a Big Sister.  Her mom likes to cool off with iced coffee, and she likes munchkins... and iced coffee.  We had coffee as kids as a treat - with milk and sugar, and my mom used to make us iced coffee, too.  So I identify with her.  Her mom is thinking of getting a painting for her.  Right now all you can get is Captain America cups at Dunkins - hunh?  But if she wants to wait out this movie theme, then this painting will be for sale and I'll do another one for her.  Good luck, little Big Sister - I hope you love, love, love your new baby!

So for the Donut War... today's treat (I mean weapon) is CHOCOLATE MUNCHKINS!

Take these little tender balls of chocolate cake glazed with honey-dip, Susan Roden!

Beach Path, 6x8 Inch Original Oil Painting

SOLD

This, to me, is one of the most inviting scenes there is... a path to the beach.  I love paths in general, but when there's the prize of a beach at the end... even better!  Even just looking at it is a little escape for me.  And who doesn't love painting sand????

I was featured in this really cool blog this week, too - I am so excited!  It's called Lemley House Art Guild...  Check it out!

Tonight we had a surprise thunderstorm... followed by:

See the rainbow to the right of the trees?  Cameral did not do a great job capturing it....

Fun Painting Safari (see tab above) at Linden Place in Bristol!  10 a.m.!! Join us!

Sparkle Donut, 6x6 Inches, Oil Painting

SOLD

 It's Monday!  Thank means there's probably 'incoming' doughy delectables coming in from CA from Susan Roden's blog!  I've got this great big chocolate frosted incredibly sprinkled donut as my shield!  Seriously, I could have gobbled this up - but I didn't!

This was a very 'family' weekend.  Sons came and hung out and ate... nice, nice, nice!

On Friday Tim and I went to visit Mary Sheehan Winn at her spot on the Ptown Pier~!

Here's Mary deftly taking a credit card from my hubby.... (I couldn't resist - I bought one of her beautiful paintings!)

Mary's wry sense of humor (the next shack had art from China).  Her set up was on the right side of the room.

It was a hot and steamy day.  Broke records.  We couldn't find a cool restaurant to eat dinner!  We ended up in Wellfleet, and it was HOTTER inside than outside - and the hostess argued with anyone who complained!  She kept insisting that the air conditioners were working.  We mentioned it to our waitress (in between sopping our faces) and her response was "Well, it's 125 degrees in the kitchen."  Um... yeah, I wasn't planning on eating in the kitchen, and I felt bad for them, but.... next time, we'll head to an awful fast food place, because they ALWAYS have air conditioning.  Bad food, yeah, but at least you won't melt while you eat!

Jamestown Rocks, 6x8 Inches, Plein Air Oil Painting

SOLD

This week's Safari (Thursday) was held on a day that was billed to be a disaster in terms of weather.  3 of us boldly went ahead and re-visited the rocks at Beavertail Lighthouse in Jamestown.  We were steeled for blistering heat.  What we got was FOG, and, man it was chilly!!!  The lighthouse itself had fog drifting around it, so my first inclination was thwarted, as I wanted to take a run at the white stucco walls and red roofs.

But Carole pointed out the gorgeous sea-green spot in the water among the crashing waves - ah!  That's what I had to paint.  Strangely enough what I enjoyed MOST about this painting was the rocks - they seemed to take form on their own, and the lovely colors showed through.

One of those days when life give you lemons.... and you make lemonade!

*Oh, yes, my new easel withstood whipping wind without blowing over the cliffs this time (yup, rocks in the trash bag, and the backpack clipped onto it as an anchor!).  I foolishly tucked about 50 business cards in a baggie under my turp container... nowhere to be found when I returned from checking out my students' work...  Moby Dick, if you see them, you can drop them at my house!

Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind?, 6x6 Inches, Oil Painting of Donuts

SOLD

Back to the Donut Wars with Susan Roden!  She'll never suspect a trio of Chocolate, Vanilla and Chocolate Drizzle donuts~!!  Seriously... I went to FOUR Dunkin Donuts to get donuts with a decent amount of frosting (fortunately I live in Rhode Island, where there is one on every other corner practically!)!!!!

I don't know about you, but I'm cowering in air conditioning these days.  This 'heat dome' (explained by the weatherman that it is like an upside-down cake pan over most of the country) is headed our way and it's hot already!  I'm sitting in a sweater in front of the biggest air conditioner I could find. My husband is trying to coax me into the humid and despicable weather by wagging a fresh, over-limed, chilled gin and tonic.  Now I ask you... is that fair?

If anyone is intrepid and wants to attend our Painting Safari today (Thursday) we'll again be at Beavertail Park in Jamestown, RI.  If I can take it, so can you... :D  9 a.m.!

Bully Lobster, 6x6 Inches, Oil

SOLD

We had lobster Sunday to celebrate my daughter's boyfriend's birthday.  It was a really nice day, and, chicken-heart that I am, I left the actual COOKING of the beasts to my husband.  I ventured into the kitchen right after they went 'in', and heard a bit of knocking on the pan - I ran out of the kitchen faster than I thought I was capable!  They cooked one for me to paint, as I don't eat them, and then he became part of a pasta dish.  I had a lot of fun with the drawing of the lobster, and then I just had a blast putting brushloads of green paint on, in slightly different shades, for the background.  I love my life!

My husband says I always seem to paint lobsters looking angry - now I ask you.. have you ever seen a HAPPY looking lobster after he's been cooked????

He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not, He Loves Me.... 6x8 Inches, Oil

NFS

One gray day in Maine, I was casting about for something interesting to paint, and friend and wonderful artist, Pat Gray let me use a beautiful blue vase she brought. I went into the yard and collected daisies, and these little blue flowers, which I cannot for the life of me remember what they are called...., and put a peach colored cloth under it on the broad railing of the wonderful porch... and this happened.  It so happened that my husband really liked this one, so it belongs to him.  And the title?  It's what most of us want, isn't it?  And as young girls we'd pluck the daisies and count off "He loves me, he loves me not..". and NEVER did we want it to end there!  So I don't know about you, but if it looked like that would happen, I would simply end it one petal early and toss that bad boy!

The Best Defense Is A Good Offense, 8x8 Inches, Oil

SOLD

OK, I need to explain the title:  As of TODAY, the DONUT WAR is officially re-opened.  California artist Susan Roden and I will be flinging frosting, glaze and jelly across this great land of ours once again.  She is a wonderful artist and friend who takes as much delight as I do in painting pastries and confections.  We are both new members of the DailyPainters.com, and we thought we'd celebrate by re-instigating our *war*.  I believe in the saying "The best defense is a good offense!!"  This is a commission for a fellow Dunkie lover, but there are more in my ammo pack, not to worry ;)

Hey, I was lovin' that pink frosting and glaze... so fun to paint!
Jelly
Strawberry Frosted
Glazed (or Honey-Dipped)
Medium Regular Hot Coffee
YUM!  Couldn't wait to bite into that JELLY~

Beavertail State Park View, 8x10, Oil

SOLD

Today the Painting Safari went to Jamestown, RI.  This is a view from the rocks on the side of the lighthouse.   What I loved painting was the changing colors of the water, and those gorgeous puffy clouds!

To clarify something - this is the weekend for the South Coast Open Studio Tour -  but I am not participating this July.  I WILL, however, will be open in August - and it will be fanTAStic.  This weekend, however, I will be visiting as many studios that I can! 

Also, below is a commission I just finished for my daughter's boyfriend's birthday:  It is he and Molly last Derby Day:

First Kenny, 6x8 Inches, Oil

SOLD

My friend Page Railsback has a beautiful, charming cat named Kenny.  He made such an impression on our Girls Just Wanna Paint Challenge Group last week we decided to make 'Kenny' our topic for the upcoming month.  I've decided to paint him in various poses, and maybe in different styles... and see what one 'makes' the cut.

I also want to thank Pam Copeman for featuring me on her blog - she's fabulous!

In our area, it's been so darn hot and humid.  But this week our Painting Safari will be in Jamestown, RI.  If you can make it and want to know where we're meeting (at 9 a.m.) just call me at 339-222-1998 and I'll tell you where we're going to be.  Most of us are meeting to carpool at the Prudence Island Ferry in Bristol at 8:15.  We'd love you to join us!

Oh, and here's the pics and info for that wonderful viewfinder with grid lines:

Along with directions on enlarging your small paintings into big ones and a value scale:

Their contact info:

San Miguel Souvenir, 6x6 Inches, Oil

SOLD

I've been lucky enough to visit San Miguel de Allende in Mexico three times - each time I buy little painted or metal crosses.  The painted ones are so cheerful and colorful, they make a nice display grouped together on a wall.  I am longing to return, it is such a wonderful little town, and I hope maybe next year.....

And just to put your minds at rest, the Donut War will probably only be 2 days a week!  So adjust your diets accordingly!  I know for a fact a few of you relieved Dunkin Donuts and Sip and Dip of a number of Chocolate Frosted Donuts today!!!!  A wonderful artist I met in Atlanta, at Leslie and Dreama's workshop, bought the Chocolate Donut painting!