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 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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Diary of a Plein Air Painter #21

Bends in the Journey, 6x6in. Oil on linen/panel. 

Available Here 

 (You can also read the reflection I wrote on location that accompanies this painting here.)

Monday, July 8, 2013

Big Island, Nova Scotia

10:15-11:30 A.M.

When I awoke this morning a fog had blanketed the world outside. It looked as if the sun would break through. The sun was not predicted to appear today. Excitedly I knew it was a day for a plein air adventure. Quickly, I raced to get ready and get on the road before the moment faded. Big Island was on my mind with its wild and carefree personality.

Once on route, I somehow missed my turn off and had to travel an extra distance to finally reach my destination. What a treat when I arrived; not a soul in sight--the whole island to myself! After doing a couple of walk abouts and jutting to a couple of spots, I settled on a distant view. I loved the little sea path leading around a bend and the swirly sky. Strokes of light colored water streaked across a darker blue.

My Subject

The light would change fast especially near the ocean with a moving cloud cover overhead. I set up quickly and intuitively began a brush dance with my canvas. The sky appeared much lighter that the ocean today. The ocean looked cool with its darker color.

My Set Up

Beginning

As I painted visitors passed by on bikes. Tourists I could tell as they began to speak French. One proceeded to take my picture enchanted that they should come upon such a sight. One set of visitors stopped their car directly beside me and had complimentary expletives. Once again tourist were upon me, as two of the occupants spoke a foreign language to me. They were all very nice. It is these momentary encounters that add interest to a plein air painters life!

Almost finished

One of my visitors was curious about what scene I was painting as my easel was sideways and the scene before it did not look like the one I was painting, I quickly explained that I had turned my easel sideways to avoid having direct sunlight on my canvas. I told him I would make my values too dark as I over compensated for the bright sunlight on my work. (A plein air tip for today.) I have made that mistake in the past and my painting turns out much darker than I thought it would.

Looking down Big Island Road

A peek hole to the wide open ocean on the other side of the road.

As I was leaving the sun was becoming more scarce. I was so happy I had spontaneously followed my instinct this morning and ventured out into the world of plein air!

Warmly,

Debbie

P.S. While I was writing my reflection, I noticed a shiny spot in the long grass. It was a little ladybug twinkling in the sunlight. A sign of good luck they say. :)

P.P.S. My car made a great side table today as I had my cup of tea and snack while I wrote this entry. Adjustments; that is what plein air painting is all about. Cheers!

Special Note: If you had signed up for my blog posts to arrive in your email inbox, I finally have that enabled! Thanks so much for your patience. 

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