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

Fine Art Shop
Fine Art Blog

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!

Christmas Spirit and Raffle Party!

Christmas Spirit, 3x3in. Oil on linen/board. Available

Available Here

Christmas Spirit

"The joy of Christmas fills the air, with simple pleasures of baubles and fir. "

Debbie Lamey-MacDonald ©

I can't believe it is almost the end of November! Around this time of year, I get inspired to paint small miniatures of Christmas baubles. I love their colors and reflective nature! Do you like shiny ornaments? My mom says I'm just like a crow because I love shiny things. It is always fun to try to capture "the shine" in paint.

To show my appreciation and for fun, I thought I would have a little raffle. Join my Raffle Party for a chance to win a large magnet and two homemade floral note cards. I personally make these cards to have available when I write thank you notes etc. I think they offer a personal touch and are a way of spreading joy around. Soooo come join the fun and enter my little raffle!! Feel free to share with your friends and family! Cheers!

Warmly,
Debbie

P.S. When you visit my Facebook Page, if you did not already Like my page I would love it if you pressed the Like Button! Thanks!

P.P.S I will mail this little package out to the winner. :D

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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!

Sweet Berry & Little Nooks

Sweet Berry, 3x2in. Oil on linen/board. $55

Available Here

Sweet Berry

"Juicy and sweet, tiny tomatoes are a welcome visitor to the palate."

Debbie Lamey-MacDonald ©

This was a tiny, sweet tomato that had to be captured as a miniature painting! It was also a lovely addition to a tossed green salad. I loved painting its long skinny stem. 

Miniatures make wonderful unique and original gifts. With the festive season just around the corner, you may find my miniature paintings to be the perfect gift choice for that special person on your list. My Fine Art Gift Bags were also very popular last year. I will be putting a few new ones together again soon. You can also select a miniature of your choice and I will have Bonnie and Cindy do their magic to make the bag complete. Read all about them here and to see ones presently in stock.

I have added a new section to my website under the Miniatures tab. I now have a tab labelled Displaying Miniatures. In this section I will be adding photographs to give you ideas on how to display miniatures. If you purchase them for gifts you can also send the recipient to my website for ideas on how to display their new gift. I hope you find this section helpful and enjoyable!

Warmly,

Debbie

P.S. I am presently writing my next Ezine (online newsletter). If you are not subscribed you may do so here.  Love to have you join me!

You may also be interested in reading my latest post on my Inspirational Blog

 "Small Pauses ".

30 in 30 Challenge, Day 23, "Color Parade"

Color Parade, 4x4in. Oil on linen/board.
Painted En Plein Air in MacLellan's Brook, Nova Scotia.

Available Here

Color Parade

"With one last procession, nature's color parade, marches into autumn."

Debbie Lamey-MacDonald ©

As the month progresses, green foliage has continuously changed into an array of colors. Reds, oranges and yellows are becoming the predominate colors; replacing summer greens. I love how the light makes the leaves appear translucent. Leaves are beginning to float in the air on windy days; while, deep blue skies serve as a wonderful backdrop for nature's brilliant colors. 

MacLellan's Brook is one of my favorite places to paint. This space made me feel  like I had been tucked away in a room within the woods. It reminded me of the spaces we use to seek out as children. They were magical little spots, where we thought no one could find us. We thought they belonged to our own private world. 

I hope you are getting a chance to enjoy quiet spaces whether in your home or nature! Everyone needs to create their own private world; if only for a short while.

Warmly,
Debbie

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!

30 in 30 Challenge, Day 10, "Gardener's Delight"

Gardener's Delight, 3x3in. Oil on linen/board
Painted En Plein Air in Plymouth, Nova Scotia.

Available Here

Gardener's Delight

"With their brilliant red hue, geraniums are a gardeners delight. "

Debbie Lamey-MacDonald ©


I love red geraniums in black containers or in window boxes. They are such a showy flower and abundantly bloom into the fall. My subject was a section of geraniums from one of my planters in the front of our home. 

I belong to an online drawing group and in August our challenge was to draw botanicals from life. I really enjoyed drawing plants outside around our grounds and often from my back doorstep. One of the plants I sketched was geraniums. I found this experience with geraniums heightened my painting experience with them as I had already explored their structure and color. It made me realize how valuable short sessions of drawing practice can be. It is a subtle advantage that if done regularly it applies to one's overall work. 

What do you like to do with red geraniums? 

Wishing you a Wonderful Day!

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!

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!

Aglow and New Blog!

"Aglow", 3x2in. Oil on linen/panel. Available

Available Here

Aglow 

"A tiny apple sits aglow in summer's warmth."

Debbie Lamey-MacDonald 

This was the second apple I picked from an old apple tree in our backyard this summer. I was fascinated with how it glowed on our blue tin table in the bright sunlight. It was fun to paint on my back doorstep!

In my last post I mentioned a special gift I received for Christmas and then forgot to post a picture of it. Chuckling.... must have had a distraction and moved on to my next thought.

So here is the beautiful piece of amethyst my brother and sister-in-law gave me for Christmas. It is suppose to inspire creativity. I love how it glows with a lit candle behind it. It has found a home in my studio on my apple green bureau.

A special Christmas gift --amethyst.

Last post I also mentioned my New Fine Art Gift Bags I launched just before Christmas. The idea grew after visiting a new shop in my area. I loved the way in which the shop owner/ artisan had artistically set up her new shop. I also loved how her wares were packaged. We had a wonderful chat the day I visited.

That visit along with my love for teaming with other like minded entrepreneurs/artisans helped my vision evolve for these new Fine Art Bags. My intention was to make each bag personal and unique. To hold a special energy of their own. This would greatly align with my philosophy that I take to the creation of my miniature work. Each miniature is like a small meditation; thus these new bags needed to mimic this intention as well. I really enjoy assembling each one and am always delighted to see what my two counterparts come up with in their interpretation of my miniature oil painting. 

You can read more about them on my online shop here.

"Violet Heads" Fine Art Gift Bag Available Here.

New Blog: Feel free to visit my second and new blog "Small Pauses". I would love for you to join in by sharing your own small pauses or thoughts!

Wishing you a Wonderful Day!
Warmly,
Debbie

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!

Summer Birth

Summer Birth, 3x3in. Oil on linen/panel. Painted En Plein Air in Plymouth, Nova Scotia.

Available Here

Summer Birth

"Birthed from weighted branches, a small apple finds joy in summer's warmth."

Debbie Lamey-MacDonald 

I love painting apples. This was a small apple from an old apple tree in our backyard. I was fascinated with how it glowed on our blue tin table. I sat the table on a blue chair, so the apple was definitely in the blue zone! 

My set up outside. The apple was set on a blue tin table which was set on top of a blue chair.

I enjoyed painting this one so much I painted two more miniature apple paintings. I really enjoyed the summer light and how the apples seemed to glow. I'll post the other two paintings soon. Summer seems so long ago. As I am typing up this post a blizzard is raging outside. We are suppose to get up to 30 cm. of snow tonight!

I thought it would also be fun to share a special Christmas gift I received from my brother and sister-in-law. They gave me a beautiful piece of amethyst that is suppose to inspire creativity. I love how it glows with a lit candle behind it.  It has found a home in my studio on my apple green bureau. 

In my next blog post I will be sharing more information about my Fine Art Gift Bags I launched just before Christmas. You can click the link above to have a peek at them.

I hope 2014 is going smoothly for you! 

If you are in a winter season right now, let's visualize an early Spring with all those wonderful lime greens and freshness!

Warmly,

Debbie

P.S. You can view some of my Plein Air Available Paintings Here. 

Quick Links:

Fine Art Shop

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!

New Inspired Space/ Happy New Year!

Welcome to 2014!! It is going to be a year of great happenings and new beginnings. It has been awhile since I posted to my blog. Life has been busy, but I'm getting back on track!

I just posted a new "Inspired Space" to my online shop and thought I would share it on my blog as well. I continue to be intrigued with space and how it affects us. I truly believe that fine art can aid in uplifting your space as well. Art evokes emotion and memory, creating a positive mental break. The piece of work featured in my new inspired space photo is titled "My Brother's Sanctuary". It was painted on location over several sessions in my brother's backyard. A wonderfully peaceful and uplifting experience! 

Relish in this intimate space, where conversation flows naturally and steaming cups of your favorite beverage ensue. Fresh greens and bright drapery echo summer's vibrancy and charm. " My Brother's Sanctuary" conjures memories of times spent within nature. Moments of being tucked away beneath apple trees, while our winged friends flutter about. It is a space where you happily relinquish your cares to a world beyond. 

(You can visit the "Inspired Spaces" section of my shop here.)

Featured Painting: "My Brother's Sanctuary," 11x14in. Oil on linen/panel. Painted En Plein Air in McLellan's Mtn. Nova Scotia.

On another note, it is a great time of year to take stock of where we are and the direction we would like to be taking in various areas of our life--career, personal etc. One of the more common practices this time of year is to write New Year's Resolutions. I think they are a good idea in some respects because they help focus our dreams and desires. However, they are sometimes another "thing" to do and fall by the wayside because they do not align with our internal desires, only our "shoulds"! That is why a few years ago I began picking a word of the year that I felt intuitively aligned with where or what I wanted to experience more in my life for the upcoming year. 

You can fine Christine Kane's Word of the Year booklet Here.

 I got this idea from Christine Kane. She also has a great little workbook you can print off to get you started on picking your word. You can find her workbook here. I like to type my word and post it around the house, in my studio etc. Thought you might like to give it a try! Good Luck!

Hoping all your Dreams come True in 2014!!

Warmly,

Debbie

Quick Links:

Fine Art Shop

Twitter 

Facebook

Imagekind --for reproductions

Fine Art America--for reproductions

Newsletter 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.