Blooms Before Autumn

Blooms Before Autumn, 4x4in. Oil on linen/panel. Available

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Blooms Before Autumn

"Carpet roses burst into full bloom before autumn nips their beauty."

Debbie Lamey-MacDonald

I painted this little miniature in my back yard early last autumn and neglected to post it online. It was early autumn and I knew I had to seize the moment before they perished in the cold autumn nights. I love carpet roses! They are so delicate in appearance, but yet so hardy. They were so cheerful in the sunlight with their fresh pink hue and sweet nature. 

I have been a bit scarce with my posts lately. Ian was on vacation, so he was a bit distracting. Chuckle! We have gone on a few tours enjoying nature and scouting out new/old painting spots for me to paint on location. Tomorrow (Aug. 18th) we have plans to head down to his old stomping grounds where he grew up. We have already been there over his vacation and I have a few spots in mind that I would like to paint. Soooo it will be an early rise and a nice picnic will be part of the adventure. Definitely a couple of thermos' with hot tea are in order as well.

Besides painting outside this summer I caught the "decluttering" bug in spring and have been clearing old belongings, clutter etc. around our house and yard. I enlisted Ian as a participant in my project--much to his delight! Big chuckle! He has been a good sport about it. We made a few trips to the dump and I must say it feels really good to purge old belongings in preparation for new opportunities etc. Although our place did not look messy, it is amazing how much "stuff" we hold onto.  

We have also been busy cleaning and adding little accents to areas around our home. We painted a small bench a wonderful apple red color. It was unfinished when I had placed it on our front doorstep last fall. I am excited about dressing it up this fall and winter. This summer, I loved decorating it with plants and a couple of outdoor cat ornaments my mom gave me for my birthday this year. Staining our doorstep is our next summer project. I'm hoping Ian won't go on strike on me. Wink, wink. 

Our apple red bench --amongst many of my summer projects. Photo taken at night.

One of my favorite books on clearing clutter is "Clear Your Clutter With Feng Shui" by Karen Kingston. I bought it in 2001 and thus my journey in to "clearing" began. I have picked it up many times over the years, loaned it to friends and recommended it to others. When I reread sections, I always feel inspired. Kingston makes the idea of clearing clutter such a sensible thing to do.  Lately I have been reading sections again and they make so much sense. Good energy and keeping things flowing is the basic premise. Being aware of our surroundings and how they affect us is one of her main points.

You can find this book on Amazon. 

Cheers to making room in our lives for new beginnings!

Warmly,

Debbie

P.S. I presently have a few auctions running on DPW. You can visit my shop page for links to each auction. Thanks for looking!

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2x3in. Oil on linen/board
Available on DPW Auction
 
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Together

"Happily rolling along together."

Debbie Lamey-MacDonald


Painting is really like a sport. It takes continuous practice to stay in tune with  your skills.  I loved painting these marbles, but had 3 starts before I got rolling along. In my first start I realized after I had the drawing done I had drawn it upside down when I looked at the notch for possible hanging on the backside. On my second drawing and after I started painting I felt they were too big. Finally on my third attempt all worked out; they were "just right". Needless to say I felt a bit rusty after the holidays. Happily it doesn't take much time to get back in sync with an old love!

(My still life set up)

I continue to be enamoured with marbles. They bring back a plethora of childhood memories. My friends and I had fun playing for hours with them! I remember every Easter I would be delighted to receive a new bag of marbles. 

As many of you know I am in love with reflections and anything shiny! Marbles hold all these characteristics. I love their glassy look and how one can see depth when you peer into  these glassy globes. I am also fascinated with their appearance and reflections on a glass table top. They are a bit mesmerizing!

When I was a child it was these simple pleasures that created cherished life long memories. Marbles existed before the advent of technology and brought hours of fun!

Do marbles hold special memories for you?

Wishing you cherished childhood memories!

Warmly,
Debbie 

Diary of a Plein Air Painter #18

 (Sharing one of my Plein Air Diary Notes I didn't get to share in September. These light filled photos made me yearn for warm autumn days! )

Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012

Plymouth, Nova Scotia

3:30-6:00 (30 min. Supper Break)

Painted En Plein Air in my own Backyard.

"Before The Frost"

"Nasturtiums glow in the autumn light, before the first frost makes its debut."

Debbie Lamey-MacDonald 

3x3in. Oil on linen/panel.  Available Here

Today the sun presents warmth, but when it disappears behind a drift of clouds the cool autumn air is evident. Ian is taking down our pool while I make a stew and roast chicken. I have decided to paint in my own backyard while supper cooks.

Ian hard at work. Lots of baby powder drifting in the air as he packs up the pool. Some even drifts my way!

As I scout around our property, I am drawn to my small raised garden beds. The small nasturtiums I planted in my herb garden have ballooned to quite a size. I love their rounded mottled leaves and bright flowers that peek above their green discs.

My Set Up

My small raised herb garden. I loved the glass bird feeder I bought this year!

My subject

I have decided to do a miniature painting of the backside of a nasturtium. I love back lighting and how the values shift in direct sunlight and shadow. An earthy smell from my garden and the fresh scent of herbs permeates the space around me. It is a beautiful September afternoon to paint in my own backyard!

Warmly,

Debbie

P.S. While I painted bees buzzed nosily around me as they feasted on many garden delights.

P.P.S. Our Persian Cat Marlee came to visit while I painted. She hopped over my box of brushes and paints as she snooped around the garden.

(You may read more of my diary posts by clicking the link on the side bar labelled "Diary of a Plein Air Painter or the link here.)