Fine Art of Debbie Lamey-MacDonald

A State of Solitude

The air is clear and crisp this morning. We have been blessed with another gorgeous autumn day. Today the park tantalizes one with an array of subject matter.  Decisions must be made before the noon sun fades autumn’s brilliance.

Finally, across the ocean a strip of land beckons to be captured on canvas. Slats of light drape gracefully over land and foliage; while pockets of shadow add to its drama and mystic.

Senses engaged, a rhythm of paint and motion begins as an intuitive voice guides the way. Directed thought  gently disappears as the mind quiets and the present takes precedence. A state of utter solitude occurs, interrupted only by nature’s activity within the area.

Debbie Lamey-MacDonald

Powell’s Point Park, Nova Scotia

This weekend I took full advantage of the weather when the sun decided to visit! The park will be closing soon, therefore I am trying to paint on location as much as possible. I also took some time to explore new nooks and crannies at the park that I had not viewed before.

It continues to amaze me how many angles and different vantage points I can find as new subject matter to paint. There is an endless array of subjects and inspiration! Visiting at different times of day add to the abundance of subjects.

Today, I met a person kayaking in the bay. We chatted about the absolute beauty of the park. It was one of those perfect autumn days you wish could go on forever!

Within the Breeze

The wind is unforgiving today. It gusts about whipping grasses and foliage relentlessly. The ocean air permeates the space with its salty breath. Fall has suddenly arrived with its bright clear colors and crisp air.

I have found a sheltered corner on the beach avoiding some of the wind’s power. Memories of roses prevail as the remaining rose hips bobble in the wind.  Their circular forms are smooth and shiny in the bright sunlight.  Before long a frosty hand will gently turn their leaves crimson as autumn spreads its charm over the land.

Debbie Lamey-MacDonald

Big Island, Nova Scotia

During the long weekend in September, my husband and I ventured down to Big Island, one of my favorite places to paint en plein air. It was an extremely windy day! I really wasn’t sure if I would be able to paint with comfort. Luckily, I found a small corner on the beach, somewhat sheltered from really huge gusts of wind. I became captivated with the swaying of tall grasses and their silhouette against the bright clear sky. Happily, I was able to complete a small plein air painting at one of my favorite painting locations!

On Thursday I was received an unexpected surprise. On the way to a medical appointment with my family we  stopped at the A&W in Truro for breakfast.

The Chronicle Herald (A local newspaper in Nova Scotia)was strewn on top of one of the tables. I suddenly had an urge to check the paper–something I don’t usually do at this location. Suddenly in the Arts and Life section of the paper I found a bit of press about my participation in the Twitter 140 show. It was a delightful and unexpected surprise!

I had sent in a Press Release about the show a while ago and really didn’t know if it would get any coverage. Special thanks to Bob Howse-Editor-In-Chief and Margaret MacKay-Editor of Arts and Life for coverage in the Chronicle Herald.

Here is the published article in the Arts and Life Tattler section:

TATTLER

Thu. Sept 24 – 4:46 AM

New Glasgow artist among those all a-Twitter

New Glasgow artist Debbie Lamey-MacDonald is participating in The TWITTER 140 Art Exhibition in Flagstaff, Arizona.

The TWITTER 140 show, on view to Sept. 30, is a group exhibition featuring a collection of work by 24 international artists from the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia who use Twitter, the social networking service. The work reflects the technology and use of Twitter.

Since Twitter messages have to be 140 characters or less, all works in the show are 140 square inches or less. Each artist’s statement and bio contains 140 characters or less. Lamey-MacDonald’s still lifes are called Tweet Me, of a little blue glass bird, and Between the Layers, of orange flowers.

You can also read more about the show in an earlier blog post: http://www.lameymacdonald.com/twitter-140-art-show/

Invitation To Freedom

There is a chill in the air as a cool breeze drifts in; causing one to don long sleeves and pants. A shift occurs as the lazy days of summer begin to fade. The park is quieter today as people move on to other responsibilities with September’s anticipated arrival.

Still the park’s allure prevails.  Unaware of our man made world it bustles along stepping in time with nature’s pace. Seagull’s gleefully jostle about in the breeze causing one to imagine how joyful it must be to soar without cares in an endless expanse of space.  Nature happily stretches out her arms in invitation to join her in a freedom that only she can provide.

Debbie Lamey-MacDonald

Powell’s Point Park, Nova Scotia

I visited the park a few days before we were to experience yet another weather disturbance. The last one had brought with it much cooler air, bringing about the realization that summer was falling into the past. I love this view in the park. It is part of a well worn path that leads to the beach. As you trudge along there are little peek holes that allow views of the wide open ocean. The height of the path above the ocean adds to its appeal.

I always find that a shift occurs in September which makes me a bit melancholy knowing that summer will soon be over. On another note the anticipation of fall is stimulating as I love its brilliance. Wishing you a wonderful autumn or new season wherever you live!

Special Thanks to all those who followed my process on “Time Framed”. I really enjoyed interacting with you during the painting process. Hope you enjoyed your visits too. Cheers to you all!

18" x 24" Time Framed Oil on Canvas

Time Framed

After continuous days of showers and thunderstorms the sun decided to make its debut this evening. Golden light drenched the landscape presenting dramatic stage lighting for the surrounding scenery. A profound stillness added to nature’s drama; causing one to feel as if they had stepped into an incredible photo shoot. A capsule of time preserved and quickly snapped before it faded.

It is a momentary pocket of time that must be experienced fully by one’s senses before it rapidly passes on to the next. Allowing oneself to fully experience the moment must happen quickly and with complete surrender. Becoming attune to the present allows worries to fade and a sense of self to prevail.

Debbie Lamey-MacDonald

Powell’s Point Park,Nova Scotia

After a few inquiries about posting progression shots on my blog I decided to add the stages of an 18×24in. landscape of Powell’s Pt.Park entitled” Time Framed”. You can read my earlier note about the evening I painted the sketch for this piece here.

Plein Air:

All my landscapes begin with a plein air painting study( completed on location). While there I also take a few digitals, color notes and also write my reflection to accompany the painting.

I painted this plein study quite rapidly, as the evening light was changing quickly. I gain both physical knowledge and an emotionally connection to my subject by being out on location. Honestly,you just can’t beat the experience and value of painting on location. That could be a topic in itself!

Study painted en plein air in the evening at Powell's Pt. Park.

Stages of Progression

Time Framed Stage One

Stage One:

After making decisions with regards to my focal point ( main area of interest) and composition (design) I begin by toning my canvas with cadium yellow medium. Next I lightly sketch out my subject with charcoal. Now I am ready to start painting!

Time Framed Stage Two

Stage Two:

I begin by painting in the background trees. Next I move into the focal area where I add light and shadow areas created by the drama of the evening light. I also paint the small tree on the shoreline that is in full sunlight and will help lead your eye to the strip of land above.

Time Framed Stage Three

Stage Three:

I am moving well into the painting now and begin to work on the varied greens of the birches in the upper portion of the painting. I begin by adding my darker greens and then adding lighter ones. It is quite amazing the variety of greens mixed at this time.As I paint the foilage I add the sky pockets within the trees. I also add the trunks of the trees, although not a finished version of them yet. I move along to the building next painting both the areas in light and shadow. Next I move into the shadow area of the bank, painting in a thin wash of dark color.

Time Framed Stage Four

Stage Four:

Now that a wash of dark color has been established for the bank, I begin to add the foliage in shadow on the bank as well as bits of foliage catching the evening light. Next I paint the grasses in full sunlight along the shoreline and barely begin the reflections in the water.

Time Framed Stage Five

Stage Five:

I have now begun to concentrate on the reflections and need to block out a segment of time as I like to work wet into wet when completing this area. Thus, creating softer edges and enabling me to blend my colors into each other much easier.I start with the darker base of reflections and then start adding some of the lighter reflections. I also paint the reflection for the little tree in light along the shoreline.

Time Framed Stage Six

Stage Six:

I love painting the reflections! I continue along adding reflections from the shoreline grasses, sand, bushes on bank and upper portion of trees. Working wet into wet allows me to accomplish my desired affect.On the far left hand side I skim over top of the reflections with light blue paint by lightly dragging my brush along in a swooping motion.

My next step is to add the tree trunks and shadows from upper portion of trees. Then onto the remaining water surrounding the reflections. I also have to paint in the sky and tweak the tree trunks in upper portion of trees.

Once again, thanks so much for joining me and following along. I love interacting with you and have enjoyed your comments! Stay tuned for Stage 7 to come

~~********~~

I’m finally back with the last 2 stages of Time Framed and have also posted the Grand Finale on a separate note! Thanks so much for your patience I have been taking advantage of the beautiful weather and working on location as much as I can before the weather changes.

Time Framed Stage Seven

Stage Seven:

I have now began to add the water reflections from the trees and sky. As I moved along I realized I had almost forgotten the reflection from the building on the far left hand side. Oops

Time Framed Stage Eight

Stage Eight:

The water is almost complete after much blending, checking to make sure I had tree reflections in the correct place and going in the proper direction etc. So easy to miss something when you have been immersed in the painting process. This is when I often call in my critics from home! LOL

Okay now comes the Grand Finale with the finished painting and written reflection!
Check out the finale version of “Time Framed“.

Artist Statement:  Relationships bloom, tweet by tweet. Many tweets later, defenses drop; revealing delicate layers of multifaceted personalities.

Biography:  Debbie Lamey-MacDonald is a Nova Scotian artist who works from life to capture the essence of her subject. Musings accompany her paintings.

I am very happy and excited to be a part of an upcoming art show entitled Twitter 140. Twitter is a free social networking and micro-blogging service that enables its users to send and read messages known as tweets that can be no more than 140 characters. All artists involved in the show are members of  Twitter and have completed artwork with a twitter theme in mind. The artists span the globe; thus it is an international showing of interesting artwork! Our Artists Statements and Biography also had to abide by the 140 requirement and the artwork could be no larger than 140 square inches.

The show is being hosted by the Grandon Art Gallery in Flagstaff, Arizona on Sept. 4th, 2009 for the entire month. All the artists and one of their entries can be viewed here.   Also, this is what the gallery looks like from the outside.   All artwork is either on route or at the gallery now!

Many thanks and praise go to Sheree Rensel for her vision in masterminding this event. She worked very diligently to acquire a gallery that would host our show! Kudos to Sheree!! Special thanks also goes to David Grandon(Gallery owner) for hosting our show.

I have found an amazing community of artists on twitter who are both talented and resourceful. Many wonderful relationships have been developed one tweet at a time. Wishing all the Artists and Grandon Gallery a wonderful opening and show!

Spirits Merge

It is a humid and very breezy day in August. Everything is in motion as a steady breeze drifts over the ocean surface. It dashes throughout pockets of space within swaying foliage. An intimate perch above the shoreline beckons for company. It creates a protected space for the viewer, enabling one to nestle in as a creative spirit becomes one with its environment.

A merging of spirits occur as the dance begins and nature sings her song of praise. She joyously triumphs over her ability to seduce the viewer; allowing one to live within a present moment uninhibited by worry or care for the future. It is a meditative moment where time stands still and a magical blending of spirits occur.

Debbie Lamey-MacDonald

It was the day before Hurricane Bill was predicted to pass over parts of Nova Scotia when I decided to venture out on location to Powell’s Pt Park again. The humidity hung heavy in the air as the wind whipped to and fro. I was being lured to the ocean front that day and knew it would be a day to remember.

With it being so hot, it was necessary to seek shelter out of direct sunlight. Imagine my delight when I saw a wonderful view  from a perch under an old oak tree! Oh it was heavenly, warm wind, serene and a moment in time I think I could stay in forever.

Nature has a way of gently caressing our soul, without any expectations from us. Let’s reciprocate her selflessness and honor her gifts. Wishing you peaceful moments in nature’s late summer embrace.

A  Harmonic Existence

Every year I gleefully anticipate the arrival of wild rose bushes. They brighten summer greens and cheerfully inhabit the surrounding space. Their nature is pleasant and easy going.  Bobbling in the breeze they sway about effortlessly. Resistance is set aside as they adjust to nature’s ever-changing state. Without resistance an existence of harmony surfaces; paving the way for a greater sense of joy and contentment. Negating resistance is not an easy task and one that must be revisited often.

Debbie Lamey-MacDonald

Powell’s Point Park, Nova Scotia

My Park Story

On this beautiful summer morning I had etched out some time to paint in the park. I truly love the appearance of wild rose bushes every year and knew my time was limited in capturing them from life. Once I got settled in an unexpected event occurred! Now I need you to picture this to set the scene. I am quietly sitting painting and thoroughly enjoying the peacefulness and solitude of nature. The park is very quiet and not many visitors are apparent.

Suddenly, a camper truck rolls in and a gentleman gets out. He saunters down to where I am painting and gestures to the picnic table right beside me and asks if I would mind if he set up for a little outside party. Now you need to know that this park is large and there are many picnic tables available! Not to mention that they were all free in every area of the park that morning.

Of course I was dumbfounded and stumbled over my words as I nod towards the table beside me saying “Oh you mean this picnic table right here?!” I am diplomatically saying that I will be  an hour or so. Of course it is hard to be assertive in a public park; so in the end he ended up pulling his camper truck right up beside the table and busily started getting ready for his two companions to appear.

My first thoughts were “Oh no how am I going to get this plein air painting finished before his wife and daughter arrive?” Determination set in and I continued to work on my painting with the intent of completing a greater portion of it. I must admit my visitor was quite quiet as he went about his preparations.

Finally his company arrived! Oh my goodness! Quiet they were not!! Loud talk began, country music filled the park for a country hoe down and pounding began as lobsters were cracked opened! Thank goodness I was almost finished of my painting and knew I was going to have to pack up and retreat to another location in the park in order to write my reflection.

All in all I had to laugh at the event! They were friendly people and well intended I am sure. I actually chuckled at the bizarre happening on my way home and had fun tweeting about it on Twitter later. Thank goodness I was able to concentrate and actually only had to tweak my painting a bit once home.

It is unexpected events like this and our reactions that make life harder or smoother. I like to take the road of least resistance and find a solution rather than trudge against the tide. One Park Lesson I did learn from this event though is to always occupy the  picnic table beside me–never leave it empty! Secondly, expect the unexpected in plein air painting–you just never know what adventures await you!

Hi Everyone!

I finally got my Facebook Fan Page up and running! I tepidly decided to create a presence on Facebook, but now am quite pleased to be there. It has been fun connecting with local and internet friends as well as former students. Having a Facebook Page also sets the stage for informal discussions and interactions with people kind enough to follow my artistic journey. If you haven’t joined my page yet, I would love to connect with you there as well!  Just press the button on my blog with the Facebook label. Looking forward to seeing you there!