Winter Offerings

Winter Offerings, 4x4in. Oil on linen/board. Available 

Available Here

Winter Offerings

"In the depth of winter, mother nature continues to present her offerings."

Debbie Lamey-MacDonald ©

This was another tiny bottle my mom bought for me at a local flea market. I loved its size and shape. I picked the fir sprig and rose hips while I was on my walk. Although sparse, still life subjects can still be found in nature during this cold season. I have to admit though, I am dreaming of days when the land will be filled with blooms and lushness again!

This was a different background color for me. At first I wasn't quite sure if I was going to like it, but once I started painting the fir and rose hips it seemed to make them pop. The warm tones against the cool seemed to be a nice combination.

Here are a couple of  photos of my studio set up and work in progress.

I have been spending some cozy time in my studio these days. Between winter storms and frigid days, it is a nice place to escape the reality of winter. I have begun to work on a larger painting that I started awhile ago, but didn't get to finish. It sure is a change going from a 4x4in. to 24x12in. surface. Wink, wink. It is enjoyable to get lost in a larger format again though.

Here is an in progress shot showing my reference material, plein air painting, digitals and also my color notes written on location. The location is Powell's Pt. Park--one of my favorite places to paint.

You can join me on Facebook where I often post in progress updates. 

Wishing you a Wonderful Day! 

Warmly,

Debbie

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Happy New Year and Little Forelle

Little Forelle, 4x4in. Oil on linen/board. Sold

Little Forelle

"Aglow in red speckles, a little Forelle sits happily on her glass perch."

Debbie Lamey-MacDonald ©

A Very Happy New Year to you!! I hope this year brings much happiness and good health into your life, as well as some pleasant surprises!

When I saw this little Forelle pear in the grocery store, I knew I had to paint it. Loved its size, color and red speckles.  A new collector and friend purchased it as a Christmas gift for a friend I actually went to Teacher's College with, many moons ago. It truly is a small world and more and more I am shown how connected we all are. 

On Christmas Eve we had our yearly family gathering at our house. I prepare a buffet style supper and we all sit down to share,good food, love and laughter. Afterwards we head into the living room for some fun gift sharing. Lots of laughter and gift opening prevails. 

This year my sons totally surprised me with a gift I did not expect in a million years!! They were excited to give it to me and left it to the last gift to be shared. They were armed with a camera and ready to be entertained by my reaction to their big surprise. Well, I am sure I didn't disappoint them with my reaction upon opening their gift. Even as I opened my gift I still was no wiser--usually I am more of a sleuth, but not this time. When I finally realized my gift was a new laptop, I was surprised and thrilled.

The boys teasing me as I open their gift!

Having a good laugh at how the boys pulled off their surprise so well. Ian is giving me a hand getting it out of the box. lol

My Youngest son Tristan loaded this pic to my desktop. It was a delightful surprise!

I showered them with thank yous and delight. My old laptop was becoming so slow loading, it reminded us of a sloth. I was in the process of either ordering a solid state drive or purchasing a new laptop. Something had to give --I was wasting too much time in wait time! Soooo needless to say, my new laptop is much faster and a delight to use!

I have some new ideas I will be exploring in my art this year. I am excited to embark on a full year of my art journey. I love having you travel along with me! Many thanks for all your support. Cheers to a fresh new year!

Warmly,
Debbie

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Orange Globe and Gift Giving

Orange Globe, 4x4in. Oil on linen/board. Sold

Sold 

Orange Globe

"A miniature orange globe celebrates harvest time with ribbon and cheer."

Debbie Lamey-MacDonald 

This was a mini orange pumpkin I bought as a fall decoration for my front doorstep. Of course I knew it would most likely end up as subject matter for a painting. It was just too cute and cheery not to! 

It sold to a good friend and new collector before I could post it online. She really loves pumpkins, so this little painting was a good fit for her. I think pumpkins are so cheery and interesting! Love their bright color and interesting shapes. 

I mentioned in my last post that I will be highlighting a few of my available works over the next while. I thought it might help give you ideas for your future holiday gift giving. 

Today I am featuring "Nature's Power", 6x6in. Oil on linen/panel. It was painted on location at one of my favorite haunts...Big Island, Nova Scotia. This would make a great gift for a beach lover or someone who loved the outdoors. 

It was so windy the day I painted this, I had to hold onto my easel while I painted at times. When I was packing up to leave, a young gentleman helped me carry some of my belongings to the car, because everything kept blowing away on me. I am sure he thought, "This is one crazy artist!". 

Nature's Power, 6x6in. Oil on linen/board. $125

Available Here

You can also view more small plein air paintings here. Thanks for looking!

Today that white stuff was floating down from the sky!! Where did autumn go?!

Warmly, 

Debbie

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30 in 30 Challenge, Day 27, "Magic"

Magic, 4x4in. Oil on linen/board.
Painted En Plein Air in Big Island, Nova Scotia.

Available Here

Magic

"Magic occurs, as a golden glow sweeps over the land. "

Debbie Lamey-MacDonald ©


We had one last blast of summer yesterday! The temperature was so warm I could wear summer clothing. Yes, I'll take more of these days please! After finishing some domestic chores, Ian and I decided to escape and go for a nice drive. I wanted to try to get a painting completed on location, since the weather was so gorgeous.

After a bit of a drive we landed in Big Island--a favorite painting haunt for me! I loved this scene in the golden evening light. We parked the car on the side of the road and left the trunk up, which acted as a wind break while I painted. The light really changed quickly as I got further into my painting. 

My Subject at Big Island, Nova Scotia.

While I was painting, Ian and I were thrilled to both see and hear geese flying in formation in the wide open space beside us. Several groups of them filled the air during my painting session. 

The geese were honking loudly as they flew by--such an awesome sight. This is one of my favorite scenes on the Island--would make a wonderful larger painting.

It is looking like I will have 27 out of 30 paintings completed by the time this challenge is over. I am going to keep my count until I hit 30, even though my days won't be consecutive and in the same month. It was quite a commitment, but I learned from this experience in many ways. I will elaborate in a future blog post. I really appreciated all those who commented here, liked my posts on facebook etc. It was great encouragement and really kept me going. Big Thanks!

Cheers to more fun painting times!

Warmly,
Debbie

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30 in 30 Challenge, Day 18, "A Burst of Light"

"A Burst of Light", 4x4in. Oil on linen/board.
Painted En Plein Air in Powell's Pt. Park, Nova Scotia.

Available Here

A Burst of Light

"September light bursts through a moody sky, illuminating tree tops before its evening departure."

Debbie Lamey-MacDonald ©


This was one of those paintings that if you did too much monkeying around you would loose the spontaneity and freshness! I had to make sure I tossed my brush aside when I had the affect I was looking for; it would have been easy to add one brush stroke too many.

My Set Up

It was so quiet in the park the night I painted this, you could hear people's footsteps before I actually saw them. I love how dramatic and moody the skies get this time of year. It is breathtaking when the sunlight bursts through towards the end of the day.

Powell's Pt. Park, Nova Scotia

When I first arrived to paint, an eagle flew so close to me I could see him perfectly. You could hear his wings swooshing through the air. What an amazing looking bird!


I hope you are getting a chance to witness dramatic skies and beautiful light. Nature never seizes to reward those who are attune to her beauty!

Warmly,
Debbie

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30 in 30 Challenge, Day 16, "Autumn Approaches"

Autumn Approaches, 4x4in. Oil on linen/board.
Painted En Plein Air in Powell's Pt. Park, Nova Scotia.

Available Here

Autumn Approaches

"As autumn approaches, a gleaming red roof echoes nature's sprinkling of reds and browns."

Debbie Lamey-MacDonald ©


I cannot believe how quickly reds and browns are making their way into summer's green palette. The park is showing signs of autumn's inevitable arrival. Warm sunny days are now numbered, as we make our way through September. 

I loved this high perch I painted from which overlooked the sandbar and ocean beyond. I was drawn to the little house in the distance with its red roof gleaming in the morning sunlight. Seagulls were busily cracking shells as they feasted on the many delights the sandbars offered. They soared continuously in the air and floated happily on shallow waters. 

The park continues to receive many visitors. Everyone is making sure they absorb as much of the park as they can before it closes in mid October. Oh how time marches on! Seize the moment while you can!

Warmly,
Debbie

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30 in 30 Challenge, Day 15, "Rhythmic Voice"

Rhythmic Voice, 4x4in. Oil on linen/board.
Painted En Plein Air in Tor Bay, Nova Scotia.

Available Here

Rhythmic Voice

"As the sun warms the land, the rhythmic voice of the ocean, echoes in the 
surrounding space."

Debbie Lamey-MacDonald ©


I was delighted to have the opportunity to stay in a cottage not far from Tor Bay Provincial Park in Guysborough County. Our family has been coming to visit and picnic in the park since I was a child. It is about a two hour drive from our home. 

It was thrilling to be able to visit the beach so early in the morning. Beyond the beach is the wide open Atlantic Ocean. We often see cormorants and sometimes seals out in the ocean by huge rocks. It is a wide open and free space, where the ocean and sky change without warning. 

My view --Tor Bay Provincial Park, Nova Scotia.

I found a great spot, high on a sandy hill surrounded by dune grass and weeds. It was a wonderful vantage point, where I could look far and wide over the ocean. The sun was so warm that morning I was able to sit wearing short sleeves. At one point when my husband went back to the cottage to get his book, I was the only one on the beach! It was so peaceful and trance like as my senses became attune to my surroundings and my brush moved intuitively. I was in the zone!

My perch

Once I was finished painting, we headed back to the cottage. It wouldn't be long and my brother and sister-in-law would be arriving to stay the night with us. We all had a great weekend, despite the rainy day that followed.  A little wood heat came to our rescue, resulting in a cozy, lazy Sunday. 

Warmly,
Debbie

P.S. (You know how it always seems when you are going away you forget something? Well, after checking my painting gear several times, I managed to forget the attachment on my painting box that allows me to attach it onto my tripod!! I had taken it off the day before so the box would lie flat on a table when I was tweaking a painting. Soooo I had to paint with the box sitting on my lap. I won't forget it next time....will probably forget something though! Haha) 

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30 in 30 Challenge, Day 14, "Super Moon"

Super Moon, 3x3in. Oil on linen/board
Painted En Plein Air in Powell's Pt. Park, Nova Scotia.

Available Here

Super Moon

"The drama has begun, as a Super Moon arrives for a stellar performance."

Debbie Lamey-MacDonald ©


I painted this one on the same night as I painted "The Night of the Super Moon" . It was an exceptionally calm and beautiful evening in the park. I almost missed painting this one, as my gear was pretty much packed up when I turned around and saw this huge bright moon. It felt surreal to witness such an amazing sight. 

Super Harvest Moon, September 8th in Powell's Pt. Park, Nova Scotia

I thought that this was a once in a lifetime opportunity and that I shouldn't let it pass by. So I worked quickly, (basically in the dark) to capture the essence of my subject. I especially loved the turquoise blue and pink sky colors. They reminded me of the rainbow popsicles we use to eat as children. 

By the time I left the park, it was dark and the moon shone brightly on the calm ocean. It was breathtaking. A moment in time I will not forget!

Super Harvest Moon, September 8th in Powell's Pt. Park, Nova Scotia

I hope you were able to witness the super moon too. I would love to hear some of your stories about your reaction to it.

Warmly,
Debbie

P.S. I am in a cottage on Farm Lake as I write this post. Yesterday, I was able to paint a miniature of the Atlantic Ocean. I was the only one on the beach at Tor Bay. I loved sitting high up on a sandy hill nestled amongst the dune grass! Today it is raining heavily--although I can't paint on location it sure is cozy relaxing with a wood heat going and listening/watching the rain on the lake. I'm crossing my fingers the sun will come out this afternoon. 

( I missed yesterday's post for the 30 day painting challenge, due to my travels and not having a quality photo of "Super Moon". I'm still hoping to get 30 done, I just might be off by one or two days. )

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30 in 30 Challenge, Day 9, "Nature's Tempo"

Nature's Tempo, 4x4in. Oil on linen/board. Available
Painted En Plein Air in Big Island, Nova Scotia.

Available Here

Nature's Tempo

"It is a quick dance moving to nature's tempo, as swirls of light change like a continuous slide show."

Debbie Lamey-MacDonald ©



Many who follow me know how much I love Big Island. If you visit in the evening the skies are incredible and change continuously as the sun lowers in the sky. It was a beautiful evening when I painted this one on the beach. It is necessary to work really quickly and  intuitively, as the light changes rapidly.  It is like a dance with nature where one must follow her lead!

Set up at Big Island, Nova Scotia

Do you enjoy watching sunsets at the shore?

Don't forget to take time to witness nature's beauty. It is always uplifting.

Warmly,
Debbie

P.S. Please feel free to comment or join in the challenge if you are an artist! 

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30 in 30 Challenge, Day 5, "Angel Wings"

Angel Wings, 2x3in. Oil on linen/board. $55
Painted En Plein Air in Plymouth, Nova Scotia.

Available Here

Angel Wings

"Soft white petals float like angel wings in an evening glow."

Debbie Lamey-MacDonald ©

It was a beautiful evening when I painted these white petunias on my back doorstep. Birds fluttered about and the sky continued to change as I painted. Sometimes I think simple subjects offer the most beauty. There was something soft and gentle that I loved about these little flowers, hence the reference to angel wings. 

On another note we are experiencing gorgeous weather the last couple of days. Today after I painted another miniature on my back doorstep, I escaped to Big Island beach. It was divine! I even got to swim in the ocean; something I never do in September. But that is what retirement is all about --new adventures!

Here is a photo I took the other night when I was leaving Big Island after a
plein air session. Majestic!

While I was swimming, small schools of fish dashed by and around me. They flicked in the air and were quite the acrobats. The sea gulls were out in abundance, crazily searching for and feeding on these small fish. Aww the wonders of nature!

I hope angel wings hover nearby for you. Watch for them. They may show up in unexpected places.

Warmly,

Debbie

P.S. Please feel free to comment or join in the challenge if you are an artist! 

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