30 in 30 Challenge, Day 7, "Pink Brilliance"

Pink Brilliance, 3x3in. Oil on linen/board. $65

Available Here

Pink Brilliance

"A  pink zinnia brightens gardens with her brilliance and cheer."

Debbie Lamey-MacDonald ©


I think zinnias are the neatest flower. They almost look artificial with their stacked petal layers and vivid colors. They always seem to stand out amongst the other flowers that flow around them.  My dad starts these from seeds and kindly gives me some to plant in my flower beds. This one was painted from life in my studio. 

It is now a week since the 30 in 30 day painting challenge began. Well I have to say, it is some busy painting, photographing my work and then blogging and posting to my website! Not to mention that since I paint from life, I have to choose my subject either from around my yard or travel to one of my favorite painting locations. I am now chanting ...I think I can....I think I can... Okay, off to bed. It is another painting day tomorrow!

I would love to hear if any of you plant zinnias. Do you like them?

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! 

Quick Links:

Fine Art Shop
Small Pauses Blog

Twitter 

Facebook

Imagekind --for reproductions

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30 in 30 Challenge, Day 2, "Glistening"

Glistening, 3x2in. Oil on linen/board. Painted En Plein Air in Plymouth, Nova Scotia. $55 Available

Available Here

Glistening

"A small apple slice comes alive; glistening in warm light."

Debbie Lamey-MacDonald ©

This was painted En Plein Air on my back doorstep. The apple was from an apple tree that is on our property.  I love how this little slice just seemed to come alive on the shiny side table while it sat in the sunlight. 

I have included a picture of what this small painting looks like on a miniature easel. The   easel is included with the painting when purchased. These little miniatures make great gifts for birthdays, Christmas, weddings etc. Or just to make someone feel special!

Besides participating in the 3o in 30 painting challenge, I am working on a commission. Last night I had a great painting session. Little dancing going on between painting. A plein air artist has to keep in shape to carry all their gear! lol

Have  a super day! See you tomorrow.

Warmly,

Debbie

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

Quick Links:

Fine Art Shop
Small Pauses Blog

Twitter 

Facebook

Imagekind --for reproductions

Fine Art America--for reproductions

Newsletter/Blog Posts sign up--Love to have you join me on my artistic journey!

Diary of a Plein Air Painter #25

Available Here

Bursting With Color

"Bursting with color, zinnias add radiance to summertime gardens."

Debbie Lamey-MacDonald

July 23, 2013

Fraser's Mtn. Nova Scotia.

I have ventured up to my parents' flower gardens once again. I decided to get out early this morning as it is predicting overcast skies this afternoon.

After having a chat with my mom, I began my walk about searching for my inspiration for the day. At last I spotted vibrant colored zinnias. I have always been intrigued with shadows against walls or buildings and loved how the zinnias cast a shadow on my parents' house.

My Subject--Zinnias

Zinnias' petals are so dense and solidly shaped that they almost look artificial. Even their vibrant colors make them appear almost "plastic" in nature.

Set up in front of my subject.

Adding the finishing touches.

I tried to make every brush stroke count so as not to loose their vibrancy and shape. Taking time to really observe before I applied paint was a good working method. Looking at darks and lights helped me form their shape. I have to say they were super fun to paint. I think I would like to paint more zinnias in the future in a larger format. 

As I finished up the day changed drastically. The clouds rolled in, the wind came up and the sun totally disappeared. I left feeling grateful and satisfied that I was able to paint this little painting today.

Warmly,

Debbie

P.S. While I worked my dad scared me as he came up from his garage. We had a nice chat.

P.P.S. Just before I cleaned up, I took a break to have lunch with my parents. My aunt and her granddaughter also arrived at the same time. So overall it was a great painting session and visit. Working art into my everyday life leads to greater productivity. 

Crimson Berries/ Rt. Brained Summit

Crimson Berries, 4x4in. Oil on linen/panel. $75

Available Here

Crimson Berries

"Winged friends feast happily on autumn's crimson berries."

Debbie Lamey-MacDonald

Powell's Point Park, Nova Scotia

I'm sharing a miniature I neglected to post on my blog and shop earlier. "Crimson Berries" was painted on location in Powell's Point Park which is one of my favourite places to paint. I love how these red berries glisten in the autumn sunlight! They attract many small birds, who feast happily on them. When I was painting the ocean breeze rustled through the branches creating a swaying movement which added greater sparkle. I had to capture my subject fairly quickly as the position of the sun continued to shift!

Right-Brainers in Business Video Summit

http://rightbrainersinbusiness.com/

This past week I have been participating in an awesome Video Summit, hosted and founded by Jennifer Lee. She is a coach, writer and artist who is both a vibrant and generous leader! You can watch all the sessions free for 48hrs. or upgrade to either booster or premium levels where you will have unlimited access to all the sessions.

The speakers are terrific and are presented in a sincere and engaging manner. You will laugh, nod your head and have some aha moments! 

Two points that I have taken away so far are:

1. The summit has echoed my belief that you need to become clear on your "why" so that you choose the most suitable projects, activities etc. that best align with the deeper reason for doing your business. That is what will make your business authentic!

2. The biz side of your creative business does not have to be boring! You can make it fun and interesting, which again is a reflection of you.

If you haven't already been participating in this Video Summit, I would highly recommend jumping on board this week. One more week of awesomeness is available for participants. You can sign up here for free!

Enjoy and Thanks for Visiting!

Warmly,

Debbie

P.S. I am not an affiliate for this summit--just wanted to share as I was enjoying it so much. I have also ordered Jennifer's book The Right Brain Business Plan. :D


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Music, Paint, Action!

A Burst of Cheer, 4x4in. Oil on linen/board.

Sold


A Burst of Cheer

"Pink hues add a burst of cheer, as the earth lays dormant during its winter slumber."

Debbie Lamey-MacDonald


Last week, I had the day off from teaching due to a storm day.  During the early evening I decided to paint one of the tulips I had purchased to add a cheery note to our home during these wintry days.

Once I was set up I decided to share my painting journey with my Facebook and Twitter Friends. I really had a blast and loved interacting in real time with everyone! It was like a mini party right in my studio--friends, music and paint flowing! What fun! Special thanks to everyone who followed along and added nice comments or thumbs up. It was great having you with me during my studio session.


For those who missed my progress shots I have posted them below. My sweet cat Marlee even came to investigate to see what all the buzz was about in my studio. She aptly side stepped my set up and soared up to her favourite perch on the window ledge!

(Close up of my subject.)

(My studio set up and beginning of miniature painting.)

(Progressing along!)

(Getting there!)

( As I was calling it a night, Marlee came to visit. You can see her up on the window ledge.)

My finished painting is shown at the top of this post. I pretty much finished it that night and only did a bit of tweaking on another session. I loved painting this tulip with all its various shades of pink (one of my favourite colors). I don't sketch out all the the areas on the tulip that need various shades of color. I just observe and paint the detail as I move along--allows me a greater sense of freedom and an opportunity to intuitively paint my subject.

Hoping you find simple things to fill your home with cheer during these cold winter months. I would love to hear how you add cheer to your surroundings. It is sometimes the little things that bring us the most pleasure. We just have to be open and aware of their ability to do so.

Thanks for following along!

Warmly,
Debbie

P.S. Before I posted this blog entry this painting sold on my Fine Art Shop! A lovely surprise--feeling much appreciation for my new collector!

Some quick links: 

Fine Art Shop

Imagekind --for reproductions

Fine Art America--for reproductions
Newsletter sign up

Sign up for new blog posts in the side bar on this page. Then enjoy special delivery to your email box!

Together

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


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