St. Simon's Palms

This painting was done as a plein air study when I was with my peeps on St. Simon's Island, GA in May of this year.  It is not for sale, as I don't sell the pieces I paint on these trips (UNLESS it's right off the easel, on location... for some reason I can't say 'no' when someone wants it right then and there!).  But I was entranced by the palm trees.  We don't have any here in Rhode Island and I just love their elegance.  It's good to stretch yourself and paint things you're not used to.  I'm trying to work on a bigger one based on this study but it's fighting me. Wish me luck with that!~

Peace Out, 6x12 Inches, Original Oil Painting

SOLD

I have a thing about cairns.  Aside from the fact that they are ROCKS and I love rocks :)  I love looking at the stack of them... their different colors and shapes and textures.  I started, when I moved to RI, to collect white egg-shaped rocks.  Quickly that turned to all white smooth rocks, and then black rocks, egg shaped and also sort of tubular.  Then flattened black ones, and... a few lovely seal gray ones.  Which led to speckled ones, in brown, off white and gray based colors.

Now when I tell you that my husband practically agreed to move once because he thought (bwa-ha-ha!) that we would be rid of the rock collections... you must believe me.  And I DID leave most of them behind.... but I had partners in my crime - my 2 sons, who also loved rocks.  Now they're grown and I have to admit I have this.... addiction!  Fortunately for me every winter throws up millions of these lovely large stones on our shores.  My poor husband.  I think I will build a stone wall with them.... or decorate the garden with cairns...or paint them or something.  They seem to have little personalities!

This one is 6x12, and it just may make it to my Open Studio in August.  If not.... I'll paint another... maybe a really BIG one! :D  Be well, friends, and thank you for your comments!

Pink Light, 6x6 inches, Original Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

$100 & $10 S&H

I adore the dusks when the sky is deep pink and the water is lavender with pink 'rivers' in it.  And then, when a sailboat comes by and catches a tiny bit of that pink light in its' sail....  perfection!

To my dear friends and relations who think I may have skipped the country:  I am buried in my studio, painting big, little, medium sized pieces, I'm just thoroughly enjoying myself and not even bringing the phone with me.  Sorry, sometimes I have to do that.

I will give you a sneak peek of a work-in-progress.  It's 36x36 inches, and is part of a series....

And if you think this is easy I WELCOME you to come and give it a whirl!

Picture yourself laying on the grass, looking up.....

biggest painting I've ever done.  I will hang them on the front porch the week before the Open Studio Tour, in August.  Try not to run off the road looking at them... :D

Christmas Cove, 20x24, Original Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

This painting was inspired by a visit to Christmas Cove (Bristol?) Maine, on my recent trip.  I love the pine trees clinging to the rocks, with barely a toe hold on a small grassy area.  Off to the right is the passage, by larger islands, to the open ocean.  Reminds me of 'kick back time', and Maine's motto, "The Way Life Should Be..."  What's not to love?

This painting is hanging at The Art Stable Gallery in Westport, MA - which, BTW has tons of new work hanging - I must say it's a great summer to be in that gallery!

Still Morning On The River, 8x8 Inches, Acrylic

Mornings this time of year are spectacular.  I've taken to either sitting on my front porch with my camera or my acrylics ('hi' to everyone who drives by, then tells me they saw me...).  Some mornings are rosier than others.  Sunday morning's (below) was really sweet.  Soft, atmospheric colors... very dreamy.  WHAT a weekend.  I'm kind of shell shocked, actually!  

 Saturday morning my partner-in-crime (my husband) got up and came with me to another dog event, so I could maybe get more shots of these pups strutting their stuff.  It was SO much fun - please don't ask if you can come with me, you'll only be miffed at me!  I'm totally absorbed, and no company while I'm at dog events.  As a matter of fact.. I kind of shut the world out, and get in a zone.  I didn't hear the announcer (speaking to ME) saying "LADY WITH THE CAMERA - YOU ARE IN THE SPLASH ZONE..."  duh.  I knew that - but that's where the best shots were!

Then it was the South Coast Open Studio weekend (I'm only doing the August Tour) and I stopped by the Art Stable Gallery, Karen Raus' and Susan Medyn's studio's - then on to a snazzy party with a FOOD TRUCK and tons of fun people.  Seriously.  I really enjoyed myself.  AT A PARTY.  Sunday brought a family party, then picking up at Little Compton Art Show where....

my Water Dancer found a new home!  I will miss that little girl!

And remember 3 years ago when I was on the verge of tears because I never had a puppy who was as much work as a baby?  Little Paco?  I found some quick doodles I had of him in my sketchbook.  Here's one:

 He was a constantly moving target...

Dusk View, 8x24 inches, Original Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

Another new one at the gallery.  I have been painting a LOT lately - yeah, I know, a lot of you think I paint a lot because I do a lot of Daily Paintings (small format paintings).  But since I got back from Maine I have been working on bigger pieces.  The dogs recently were two that came out of it but I have a couple of 36x36's coming...).  But I have been thinking a lot about color and texture.  This painting, simple as it looks, took days to complete.  I very much wanted this particular sliding scale of the orange and the pink/lavendar.  You see colors like that around here after the sun sets - the water leans to lavender, and the sky orange.  Also just before the sun rises.

So!  Hoping I can paint enough so that my INNER painter can come out and play, and she's coming up the driveway - I can see her but she's not here yet.  But paintings like this are getting me there.

This is at the Art Stable Gallery.  865 Main Road Westport, and will be open from 11-5 Saturday and Sunday, and should be well attended!  I'm going to be there around lunchtime (probably 1-ish) on Saturday.  Should be a blast :)

Yep, more dogs coming - but not for a few days!!!!  I'm hooked on that series!

*and yes, that's a piece of grass on the lower edge - I just noticed it!  I took the photo in the grass!)

Go, Ebony!!,12x12 Inch Original Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

THANK you everyone for your wonderful response to yesterday's painting!  This is #2 in the series of 3 paintings.  I'll include a video below of an actual jump - video taken by my friend Sally's with her PHONE :D.

There's just something about these retrievers.  They love having this task, and doing so well at it.  They truly reacted to the cheers of the crowd, and I can only imagine how great it felt to swim on that warm day!  This painting, as well, is at the Art Stable Gallery, 865 Main Road, Westport, MA.

I'm trying to keep them nice and loose, and about the movement and the 'doggieness' of them.  Have fun watching the video!

Good Dog, Bailey!, 12x12 Original Oil Painting by Kelley MacDonald

"Good Dog, Bailey!"

On our way to our painting retreat in Maine last month, my buddy Sally Dean Mello and I pulled off the highway to take a break.  In a shopping center parking lot there was this huge tank of water with a ramp, and a lot of dogs (mostly, but not all, retriever types) in line.  Turns out it was some kind of competition for the dogs to run and leap as far as they could, pick up their toy that had been tossed, and swim back.  To say that these dogs had a blast was an understatement.  They could NOT get their turn again soon enough!  I've gotten 2 of my 3 painted, on 12x12 gallery wrapped (no need for frames) canvases.  They are now at the Art Stable Gallery at 835 Main Road in Westport, MA.  

The South Coast Open Studio Tour for July (I'm doing the August tour at my house and I would LOVE to see you!) happens all around our gallery.  Here's what I suggest, on this lovely weekend.  Stop by the gallery around lunchtime.  The shop next door, called Partners Village Store, has fabulous lobster rolls, $19, and worth every penny, with fresh local lobster, and a lovely patio to eat on right in front of the gallery!!!!  Now, here's the tip:  call your sandwich order in ahead (they also have great ham, turkey and veggie sandwiches) because it's a half hour wait.  Then come, devour, and stop in to the Gallery.  I'm going to try to be there around lunchtime at least on Saturday.  I'd be so happy to meet you!   Anyway, clicking on the link HERE, will get you the downloadable Tour Guide.  Email me if you'd like the insider's guide to some really cool artists....

And a *shout out* to Margaret - (friend of Maria Hock's!) for stopping in the gallery last week while I was there.... SO great to meet you!

Hot Slide, 6x6 Inches, Oil

I haven't decided if this one will be the one I submit for my Challenge group's July painting.  The topic is "HEAT" and I have a couple of weeks to decide.  This is what the hot sun looks like on a hazy, hot and humid day, sinking behind Aquidneck Island.  These colors are the only thing I like about the heat.  I'm a fan/a/c girl.  Heat = misery to me.  I'd rather be cold - I can always add layers!

I really like the sun in this.  I used Cad. Red light with a bit of Titanium White, THEN I added Gamblin's Radiant Magenta to the outer edge.  I like the water.  I don't know if I need the information about the house, the trees and the road on the land section.  Hmmm...

I've been working like a fiend in the studio.  Loving every minute of it.  I've discovered if I get over there early I can get a good number of hours worth of work before the heat is totally unbearable.  It's mostly because I have a flat, black roof directly over me, and the temp inside is hotter than it is outside! My studio assistant, below, likes to get out before the high temps, too!

Borning Room, 8x10 inches, oil

NFS

This is from a rainy day on my recent Maine painting trip.  You may have seen Sally Dean's version, we were both drawn to the pale light as the sky decided whether or not to be done with the rain!  I'm no Connie Hayes, but I do love doing interiors!   The first year I stayed in Maine with this group I opted to sleep in this room, the Borning Room, off the dining room.  Old poster bed, chenille bedspread, rocker with woven chair pad.... what's not to love?  This study took about an hour.  We were all in different rooms working away, with a nice banter/singing going back and forth... real camaraderie.  No cell or internet for 7 days.  It re-set MY clock, I'll tell you!

Independence Day Lobster, 6x6 Inches, Original Acrylic Painting

SOLD

I hope you had a wonderful 4th of July!  While we were all happily celebrating the birth of our country,  this lobster and 2 of his friends were steaming, literally.  At the end of the day my husband and Paco and I sat on the front porch and watched nine - count 'em - NINE fireworks displays.  Paco was a real trooper, except when (not in the 9) our neighbor 2 doors down started his own display - right over the road (a few drivers freaked a bit).  Then neighbors 3 houses behind us on the hill started theirs - and it truly felt like we were being bombed!  One of my cats got out and I was extremely worried he would just run and run into the woods, but I did get him in.  

I had such fun with this lobster!  I don't eat them, I just paint them.  He sat on a platter suspended over an ice-filled roasting dish, staying cool, as he will be lobster salad on Friday!    And no clam paintings (sorry, Frank!) because Tim threw them ALL into the pot before I could snatch some!  Anyway, this is technically Mixed Media because I accidently mixed some white oil paint in the turquoise

paint for the platter!!!!  

1 Cosmo, 2 Cosmo, 3 Cosmo... Floor! 9x12 inch Acrylic painting

This painting will be at the Art Stable Gallery next week!

In Maine last week, I made Cosmos for my painter friends!  I'd done a LOT of research into how to make the BEST, and I've decided to share with all of you -kind of like I'm making one for you, OK?  Here goes:

• Chill the glass, the vodka and the shaker in the freezer
• crack about 3-4 ice cubes (don't have a fridge that does this?  me either - I use a rolling pin and a zip lock bag!)
• 1 jigger of Cointreau (no substitutions)
• 1 jigger of chilled cranberry juice cocktail
• 2 jiggers of Absolute (Citron is ok, but plain is just fine)
• 1/2 a lime, plus a slice

Crack the ice, get the shaker out of the freezer, and put ice in.  Add the Cointreau, juice, and vodka - shake vigorously 10 times.

NOW get the glass out of the fridge.  Squeeze the 1/2 lime into the glass, and strain the mix into the glass - toss in a sliver of lime - and enjoy immediately!  Cold is the key.  One drink at a time - leave the glasses in the freezer till it's 'their' time!  ENJOY!

Lost Buoys, 4x4 Inches, Oil

NFS

These Maine paintings are Not For Sale, because I keep them as a visual record of my painting trips.  On the back I try to note the month, year and location.  I need to start adding the other artists that I am with.  You never know when someone will get famous :)

On a path behind the farmhouse we stayed at there was a sign that said "Free Buoys" with a small pile of 'found' buoys - those that somehow get free of their tethers and float to shore for the beach walkers to find.  My friend Sally Dean picked these three (and gave me the blue and yellow one) to take home, plus one orange and white one.  I had a heck of a time painting the fluorescent orange - if any of you know the color recipe for that, I'm all ears.

*this is my favorite painting from the trip*

So... in addition to the 3 pair of earrings, 2 art books and the buoy, my 'souvenirs' included smooth beach rocks for my garden.  Soon:  The photo of my Cosmos's and the recipe!

"Both Sides Now", 6x6 Inch Oil Painting of Clouds

NFS

This is my Girls Just Wanna Paint Challenge Painting: Theme:  July.

Remember as a kid - lazy summer days laying in the cool grass staring up at the sky ... looking at the shapes?  My best July memories.

I've spent a week totally off the grid - painting with 4 other painters in Maine.  It's been a tradition I've been happy to join (my 3rd year) - going back decades to other women who painted with fervor in Maine together Summers during their lives, but have now passed on.  We are immersed in art.  We talk late into the night about our joys and struggles with the artistic life as well as our technical progress.  Our mediums of choice, today, and yesterday... and tomorrow.  We compare easels, paint colors, methods.  We talk about inspirations from the past.  We take a day to visit the Farnsworth Museum, and see the Wyeths as well as their new show (Frank Benson - swoon!).  We visit a gallery and pretend we want to buy a rather famous artist's work so they will drag out a few more....

We eat sumptuous dinners with mind-blowing desserts.  We imbibe (wine and Cosmos were this years picks).  We read.  Talk about our dreams.  Our wonderful spouses and children.  Share recipes.  And paint, paint, paint.  Fabulous!

And every day we paint.  Inside, outside, every which way!

And for some far away fun, check THIS out... and scroll down to see Ray Rempel in an "I Love Kelley's Jellies" T-Shirt, painting plain air!  Go Ray!  Kim, your Dad is great!

TheMaineThing

I am away for the week, and cannot figure out how to post from my iPad! Sometime this week I hope to regale you with paintings from the coast of Maine! I'm with a band of convivial and inspiring artists and I am happy to report that my 'Perfect Cosmo' quest has yielded the desired results. I have photos.......

Cloud Dance, 5x7 Inches, Oil

SOLD

First day of Summer really made it's voice heard!  It sizzled here in Rhode Island, but I, luckily, spent the entire day in the sweet air conditioning (I am trying to look on the bright side here) of the Toyota dealership.  Half the day for routine maintenance and readying for a long car trip, and the other half for a freak malfunction of my audio system (hello - I'm music and GPS-less!).  At the end of the day my part could not be located (yet) and I will be entertaining myself with song, and reading maps (like in the 'old' days)!!!

BUT I kind of needed that calm before the storm:  tonight is Art Stable Gallery's Grand Summer Opening.  We have arranged for theatrical skies and sweet cocktails, fine wine and fabulous art for your enjoyment.  So many other good things going on tonight, I'm not sure of the crowd, but it will be magical nonetheless.

This painting is a view I see often from my front porch, of Aquidneck Island and the Sakonnet River.  The color is enhanced in my painting, but honestly not by much!.  I'm saying I'm celebrating the color.

These Boots Are Made For ... Running! 4x4 Inches, Oil

$65 & $10 S&H

I saw these boots in Santa Fe about 4 years ago.  I don't know why I hesitated, and then left without them (probably the sticker shock).  But I when I saw them something inside me went "YEAAAAAH!"  And when that happens, I have learned to go with it.  So this Fall I am headed out to Santa Fe again, and if I see them.... they will be mine!  If you encounter something that speaks to you (a pair of boots, a cream colored kitten, a piece of pottery...) you should grab it and run.

I have a pair of boots (blue.. from Arizona) and they, honestly, are among the most comfortable shoes I own.  And when you wear them, you get a little lilt in your step.  Definitely worth it.  I think every woman should own what I call 'running boots' (as opposed to 'flying' boots, I guess, 'cause that's how they make you feel!).

On another note, I'm having high anxiety that my Opening Friday night will be devoid of friendly faces that I know!  OH!  When does THIS fear end?  Seriously, there will be fabulous Blackberry Lemonade Cocktails, fabulous food, and very interesting art to look at.  I'm in with a good group....

I Just Met A Girl Named Maria!, 6x6 Inches, Oil

SOLD

Friends, meet Maria Bennet Hock.  Though she looks like a stern person here, it's just her mugshot persona.  She is just lovely inside and out, and we became friends at Karin Jurick's workshop in Hilton Head.  She is the brains AND the brawn behind the Hilton Head Gang Mugshots.  She's widely travelled, compassionate, smart and just plain funny!  I think I won't bore you with the rest of the mug shots - I'll show you the collage of them when I get THAT finished.

Very excited at selling my big painting of 3 Little Graces at my new gallery, the Art Stable Gallery - which, BTW is having our big Opening this very Friday evening, from 6-8:30 at 865 Main Road, Westport, MASSACHUSETTS.  (Caps for all the folks who asked me how many hours I have to drive to CT.... Westport MA is the next town over from Tiverton!)  Anyway it is going to be a TIME.

Cute Stuff, HHI Mug Shot, 4x4 Inches, Oil

This is my friend Sheryl, trying to look tough.  Yeah, she can't.  She's a softie.  And a wonderful artist, as are all my Hilton Head Gang friends.  I can't believe I haven't even known them a year.  Being in a workshop sometimes makes friendships 'ripen' faster.  I've met some of the best friends at workshops.

Anyway, she is - if you can believe it - a grandmother!  Stylish, talented and sweet... and with a red-headed sense of fun!  I have a few more to publish, but I'll space them out.  If you would like to see how we ALL painted each other - and this is a hoot - click HERE.  Just run your cursor over the images, and they'll all pop up.  

Dribble, 6x6 Inches, Oil

SOLD

I confess I've been missing my donut paintings!  For a while there I was a bit 'over' them... now I want to do them now and again!  

I stopped into not one, not two, but THREE Dunkin Donuts shops before I found 'good looking' jelly donuts.  And at that I had to ASK for 'not-weepy' jellies.  With the warm days the donuts don't cool down very quickly, and they stick them into stacks, where the sugar coating melts.  NOT appetizing.  However, the wonderful woman at the donut shop offered to re-coat them with sugar.  Made all the difference in the world.  How great is that dribbly jelly?  This piece will be nicely framed in a (famous) randy Higbee Frame, and will be offered in my new Art Stable Gallery.  Let's see how people in the area like donuts!

Dawn, Armed and Dangerous!, 4x4 Inches, Oil

nfs

I'm trying to finish up as many of the mug shots of the Hilton Head Gang as I can - as we have a  special surprise we're putting together.  Now, this was Dawn, and she was about the sweetest person there - but when it was her turn to pose for her mugshot she sure got an authentic 'criminal' look about her, don't you think?

I tried using (for the most part, I needed to add some umber & ultramarine for the shadow areas) a skin 'cocktail' from David Shevlino - whose work I love.  He uses Yellow Ochre, Cadmium Orange and White.  I'd never used that mix but it worked for the most part.  Now that I'm looking I see I did add a bit of Cad Red Light to her cheek area.

I've been absent for a few days, because my husband and I have spent a few days on Cape Cod - more anniversary celebration!  We never have real 'work free' days for either one of us, but I tried to limit his phone calls by ducking into a store every time he got one, and had stuff waiting at the register when he came to find me ;).... Other than that it was galleries, galleries, galleries, although, the 'season' hasn't started yet on the Cape, so they weren't all open yet.  VERY inspirational though, 

Brushes With Greatness (In Hopes), 6x6 Inches, Oil

SOLD

This month, the Girls Just Wanna Paint Challenge was "Tools Of The Trade".  I worried that everyone would think like me and paint brushes - not so!  It's an exciting month, and includes our two new members - so check it out HERE!  Of course you know how thrilled we'd be if you subscribed to that blog, or commented on it, or became a 'Follower'!  It's all good!

I tried to stay loose with this - I've painted my brushes before, and I'll tell you - it's hard to let those paintings go!  I will probably put this up for sale after our meeting this coming Friday - I like to hold them out so we can all see them in person.

I'm taking the smallest little breaks from painting - my anniversary (35th!) is this month, and we are treating ourselves to a couple of nights away, and our KIDS (this is still amazing me) gave us a couple of nights on Nantucket last week.  For real!  How fabulous is that?  Be well, all... I'll post 'em as I paint 'em!

Breathe, Ocean Study, 4x4 Inches, Oil

SOLD

This is kind of a Zen painting.  I stood at the (Horseneck) beach and listened to, and watched the waves come in, and studied all the colors of the water and the sky and the sand... it's another 'baby' painting - one meant for desk-side company.  I love doing these little ones - honestly I've never thought about it, but it's an amazing way to do studies for larger works.  I think, now, I will probably attempt this in a 24x24 format, on board.  I'd like to have a few of these in large scale scattered around my home, to remind me to breathe...

Dunes of Summer, 4x4 Inches, Oil Painting

$65 & $10 S&H

I'm back in the saddle again - took a whole day off from art-related things - and just spent time with my husband and boys (my daughter is with friends on a very nice island...:(), and was chomping at the bit today to paint.  

Do you know Nancy Angelini Crawford?  Very cool artist.  From Alaska.  Last Spring I was in Sedona painting with my buddies Mary Sheehan Winn and Carol Marine, and Nancy came to visit Carol.  After painting, we were sitting in a shaded sort of pavilion and Nancy and I got to talking and it turns out she grew up in the next town over from me, and her best friend and my best friend were sisters!  So we had actually hung out decades ago! 

Anyway when she visits her Mom we have gotten together to paint, twice now.  Today we went to Horseneck Beach in Westport and painted there.  I did two little 4x4 paintings, of which this is one!  Here's a close up of the brushwork - teeny tiny, but I had so much fun doing it!  It's a painting that probably won't need a frame, and will sit happily on a desk, reminding someone that Summer is never that far away... and the beach beckons....

Whirlwind...

As Calvin & Hobbs say "The Days Are Just Packed..."

I do not have any new artwork from this weekend.... First on Friday night was the North River Arts Festival Opening, where I went to cheer on my friends who got awards in the show.

Then Saturday my niece Darcy was feted for graduating from nursing school (my sister had a cake made featuring a photo of 3 year old Darcy in her nurse outfit and toy needle and stethoscope, because she liked to take people's 'Temper', and their 'Blood Chester'...)

Then the Art Stable Gallery had it's Opening Day!

Then Sunday I drove back to North River, but was too pooped to paint.  My husband and older son were helping my younger son move from Boston to Providence...

It's all good, but it's a full life!  Painting this week, for sure...

Memorial Day Weekend

SOLD
6x6 Inches, Acrylic

This marsh was inspired by about 100 photos of the marshes on St. Simon's Island, GA.  We have plenty of marshes here, and for about 20 years I lived in an area south of Boston that was very marshy.  Here in RI - at least where I am - it's more rocky and be beachy and sandy.  Well, I'm not sure I want to sell this one.  It may have a spot in my heart and my home.

But I would like to extend an invitation to all of you - those of you in the South Shore area, this is THE weekend for the North River Art  Society's FESTIVAL  Saturday and Sunday!!!  I have two pieces (below) in the juried show, and 10 smaller, unframed pieces in the Art Sale there.  I think you'll like what I've chosen for the Sale!

 

And those of you in the South Coast/RI area, the Art Stable Gallery on Main Road is opening this weekend and will be open from 11-3 Saturday and Sunday.

This weekend we remember our vets, and all who have served.  Thank you for your gift to our country!

Carnation Bouquet, 8x8 Inches, Original Acrylic Painting

$150 & $10 S&H  

Where have I been?  There's always a story, no?  But if you add these ingredients - 

• New Gallery (check it out, HERE) opening this weekend, Sat & Sun, 11-3
• Exhaustion
• Painting Block

The recipe makes for a ton of wiped-off paintings, enforced naps, and mild interventions of beloved friends telling you to S-L-O-W D-O-W-N.  So this little painting finally, finally came out today.  It's a bit bigger than the usual 6x6 or so I normally do, hence the slightly higher price.

By the way - when you receive a painting of mine and you send me a photo of it in your home - it totally MAKES MY DAY!   (Thank you Elise!~)  

In other news my 'job' at my new gallery is to set up and maintain a Facebook Fan Page (HERE - I'd love to see a ton of 'likes' on that!) and a Blog (HERE - not much up yet - but trust me, it's coming!  Go ahead and subscribe to that, too - it won't be overwhelming, I promise).  But in my muddled state on Monday I inadvertently put up, instead of a 'Page' on Facebook, a 'Discussion Group'.  Got everyone quite confused, as well as myself, who... actually doesn't know how that happened.. .:) wish me well....

$100 & $10 S&H

It's martini time again!  These olives are deliberating... gin or vodka martini's.  I know a real martini is gin.  And yum about that, right?  Especially my favorite, Hendrick's Gin.  Not that I drink a lot, but (like the guy in the commercial for Dos Equis) when I DO, I like really good stuff.  Ahem.  And about that.. I have another painting trip coming up, and one of my friends from that group is with me on the hunt for the PERFECT Cosmo.  The palest shade of pink blush.  Chilled martini glasses.  Really, don't even think about ice (unless you're in the South and it's truly hot!), because with that cold glass, and the shaker full of ice - that baby won't have TIME to warm down.  So I'm going to be practicing making them.  I'm going to get tips from the bartender at The Boat House Restaurant in Tiverton, which, if you are ever in the area... you should go.  This is turning into a drink and restaurant critique... so, let's get back to those olives!

*SATURDAY* is the Girls Just Wanna Paint Opening!!!

SO hard to photograph!  I loved all the greens in them.  At first, because I just was reading about this awesome artist who does this, I tried mixing up my colors right at the outset.  The problem was, I kept thinking the green was GREENER than it is.  It's almost a yellow, an ochre-y yellow.  And the shadows are dark, but not as dark as I initially thought.  So... I'm back to mixing as I go.  So what if it's not as quick?  I'm not quick.  Take it from me that these babies look so much better in person.

AND.... I was the featured artists in the YWCA's publication "She Shines".  Learning a lot about giving interviews..

See all our work in person, together in one place! 

We have all our Challenges since December here in the Bumpus Gallery in the Duxbury Library.  We have been asked to make a poster like the image above, which we did in limited number, and they are for sale at a very affordable price ($10) at the Library.

Please know how much it means to each and every one of us to see you at our Opening!

Oh, Happy Day!!!, 12x12 Inches, Oil Painting

This painting is so joyful!  I feel the little boy dancing in the sand on the first day of vacation.  I love his red hair!  This painting will be included in my paintings at the Art Stable Gallery, which opens May 26 (more on that later - I really MUST start my Newsletter, there's so much going on!).

I painted him using techniques I learned in Karin Jurick's workshop last November.  So I have featured this little guy on my 'ad' for my figure workshop, which is a one-day workshop, next Monday, the 21st, at my studio.  You should come.  I do a demo, then we paint, and then I feed everyone a home made lunch. We laugh, (some of us might shed a tear), we bond, and the creativity and talent that is unleashed in absolutely amazing.  I probably talk a little about blogging, since I can't seem to help myself, but everybody takes home at least one painting they L*O*V*E.  Info is on my 'Page' at the top of the blog.  But feel free to email me for info.  kcareymac@hotmail.com

Island Cottage, 6x8 Inches, Plein Air Oil Painting

NFS

I just got back from a week on St. Simons Island, GA, with a wonderful group of friends/artists.  Restorative.  Relaxing.  Rejuvenating. 

My goal on this trip was definitely not to see how many plein air paintings I could come home with.  I've done that on painting trips and come home exhausted.  No... this time I tried to absorb the feel of the place, take a lot of photos, do some sketching and come home with at least 2 (and I got 3) paintings.  A couple of wipe-offs are to be expected.  Talking far into the night with amazing and huge hearted artists from all over the country.  Below is a happy moment after we all learned how to hit a golf ball (more or less) from Pro Kathy Cousart.

Left to right:

Kathy Cousart

Carol Marine

Mary Sheehan Winn

Me

Laurel Daniel

That's us.  The Gaggle of Artists.