23rd

“Blue Skies Return” With Audio!

10x8in. Oil on linen/panel

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Blue Skies Return

After a span of grey, rainy days we were gifted with sunny skies and warmth. It is such a joy to look above and see a clear blue sky. The sun’s appearance lifts spirits and adds a light heartedness.

Grant’s Lake continues to be one of my favourite spots to paint. Its seclusion and wild nature always beckon to be captured forever in paint. There is an airiness today as loose strife sways gently in the breeze. Nature dances about to it own tune, oblivious to the demands of a man made world.

Apples hang temptingly on gnarled old trees; enticing wildlife to come visit. Their tasty feast serves as an open banquet for all to experience.

As I pack up to leave, I am grateful for this special moment in time. Responsibilities have fallen away and created a centeredness that only nature can deliver. Cherish the small moments, for it is those that will bring one the most peace.

Debbie Lamey-MacDonald

Grant’s Lake, Nova Scotia

Finally after many rainy days we have begun to see blue skies again. My husband accompanied me on this outing in Grant’s Lake. We had been scouting around the area the night before and I had spotted bear droppings, so I thought it would be nice to have some company when I returned to paint there the next morning.

When we first arrived the sky was completely clear blue, but as the morning progressed billowy clouds took form. It was a perfect day to paint outside with comfortable temperatures.  I love listening to nature and just going with the flow as paint and brush move freely. I never tire from painting in Grant’s Lake. Each season brings a new visual canvas. Subtle changes occur from year to year when I observe vantage points I painted in the past.

My son and I tried a new program where I could record my written reflection that I wrote on location. I hope you enjoy it! Just press the audio link below my painting to listen. I would love your feedback on this new format! Thanks!

Warmly,

Debbie

P.S. I worked a long while on my newsletter today and am just about ready to send it out. If you would like to receive it, you may sign up for it in the top right corner of this page. Love if you could press the Like button above if you enjoyed this post!

By Debbie | On August 23, 2011 – 10:39 pm | Posted in On Location | Tags , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)
22nd

“Summer Sweetness” up for Auction

5x7in. Oil on linen/panel

“Summer shares sweet juicy berries, as one of her special gifts.”

You can bid on this painting here.

I have added “Summer Sweetness” to the Daily Paintworks Auction website. It was painted en plein air on my back doorstep. Please click on the link above if you are interested in this painting. Feel free to click the Like button on the auction page. Thanks!

 Now that we are having some fine weather, I am having a fun getting back out to do some plein air painting.

Thanks for looking!

Wishing you a Wonderful Day!

Warmly,

Debbie

P.S. If you enjoyed this post please click the Like button above. Thanks! You may also sign up for my free E-Newsletter in the right hand column. I’m getting ready to send out my new newsletter soon.  :D

By Debbie | On August 22, 2011 – 9:50 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (0)
16th

“Within the Breeze” Up for Auction

7x5in. Oil on canvas

You can bid on this painting here.

I have just added “Within the Breeze” to the Daily Paintworks Auction website. It was painted en plein air in Big Island, Nova Scotia. You can read my blog post about my experience while painting this one here. Please click on the link above if you are interested in this painting. Feel free to click the Like button on the auction page. Thanks!

Thanks so much for looking! I’m heading out to scout around my yard for a plein air subject today.

Wishing you a Wonderful Day!

Warmly,

Debbie

P.S. If you enjoyed this post please click the Like button above. Thanks! You may also sign up for my free E-Newsletter in the right hand column. I’m getting ready to send out my new newsletter soon.  :D

By Debbie | On August 16, 2011 – 1:49 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (0)
11th

“Harmonic Existence” Up For Auction

6x6in. Oil on canvas

You can bid on this painting here.

I have just added “Harmonic Existence” to the Daily Paintworks Auction website. It was painted en plein air in Powell’s Pt. Park. You can read my previous funny blog post about my experience while painting this one here. Please click on the link above if you are interested in this painting. Feel free to click the Like button on the auction page. Thanks!

Thanks so much for looking!

Wishing you a Wonderful Day!

Warmly,

Debbie

P.S. If you enjoyed this post please click the Like button above. Thanks! You may also sign up for my free E-Newsletter in the right hand column. I’m getting ready to send out my new newsletter soon.  :D

By Debbie | On August 11, 2011 – 2:35 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (0)
3rd

“Notions Ready” Up For Auction

6x6in. Oil on linen/panel

You can bid on this painting here.

Notions Ready

“With notions ready repairs begin.Renewing used items is a ritual often forgotten.Bringing the old to reusable condition sheds new light on a long forgotten treasure.”

Debbie Lamey-MacDonald

I have just added “Notions Ready” to the Daily Paintworks Auction website. This would make a unique gift for the crafter in your life! Please click on the link above if you are interested in this painting. Feel free to click the Like button on the auction page. Thanks!

Thanks so much for looking!

Wishing you a Wonderful Day!

Warmly,

Debbie

P.S. If you enjoyed this post please click the Like button above. Thanks! You may also sign up for my free E-Newsletter in the right hand column. :D

By Debbie | On August 3, 2011 – 2:08 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (0)
1st

Commission for “Repairs IV”

3x3in. Oil on linen/panel, Commissioned

Repairs IV

“With its rosy hue visions of a soft femininity prevail.”

Debbie Lamey-MacDonald

“Repairs IV” was a special commission to paint. A friend asked me to paint another friends pink thread unbeknownst to her. We even had her husband pick out the pink thread on the sly! The painting was going to be a retirement gift. I thought it was a very thoughtful and unique retirement gift to give.

The friend who received this gift is a quilter, so it held special meaning for her. I have since heard from both parties: my friend who commissioned the work and the one who received it. I was thrilled to know that they were both very happy with their purchase and gift. I truly loved painting this one due to it being one of my favorite colors and because I was friends with both women. Fun little project!

Wishing you a Wonderful Day!

Warmly,

Debbie

P.S. If you enjoyed this post please click the Like button above. Thanks! You may also sign up for my free E-Newsletter in the right hand column. :D

By Debbie | On August 1, 2011 – 4:04 pm | Posted in Studio Work, Uncategorized | Comments (0)
29th

Gifts From Nature up for Auction

6x6in. Oil on linen/panel

You can bid on this painting here.

Gifts From Nature

Gifts from nature drift softly down from the blue above. It is only with stealth awareness that they can be retrieved. Relish in small occurrences for they are what bring  joyful moments.

Debbie Lamey-MacDonald

I have just added “Gifts From Nature” to the Daily Paintworks Auction website. Please click on the link above if you are interested in this painting. Feel free to click the Like button on the auction page. Thanks! You can also read my blog post on this painting here.

Thanks so much for looking!

Wishing you a Wonderful Day!

Warmly,

Debbie

By Debbie | On July 29, 2011 – 4:28 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (0)
26th

Sunny Disposition up for Auction

3x2in. Oil on linen/panel

You can bid on this painting here.

Sunny Disposition

“With their sunny disposition dandelions scatter gleefully about, dotting the countryside with cheer.”

Debbie Lamey-MacDonald

Dandelions are often considered such a nuisance popping up all over one’s lawn. However, I love their sunny disposition and their carefree nature. They just make me smile. You can bid for this painting by clicking the link above.

Thanks!

Warmly,

Debbie

P.S. You can join my free E-newsletter by signing up for it in the right hand column. :D

By Debbie | On July 26, 2011 – 4:59 pm | Posted in Studio Work, Uncategorized | Tags , , , , , , , , | Comments (2)
24th

New Place to Share My Work!

“A Grand Entrance”, 6x6in. Oil on linen/panel

Bid on this painting here.

A Grand Entrance

In the midst of winter, Amaryllis make a grand entrance. They evoke memories of bright spring greens and vibrant blooms.

Debbie Lamey-MacDonald

I am very happy to be apart of Daily Paint Works. It is a website that displays a wonderful variety of original fine art by many awesome artists. DPW now has an Auction component similar to Ebay, but is only for original fine art. I love this idea! It is also a much friendlier auction due to its Auto Extending feature. This serves as a very convenient and user friendly way to collect fine art. The web manager David Marine is the husband of  Carol Marine. She is a fabulous artist on the site too! David has done a super job on DPW. He is very friendly and great to answer any questions promptly.  I am looking forward to this new adventure!

I have just listed “A Grand Entrance” 6x6in oil on linen/panel. You can bid on this painting here.

Thanks for looking!

Warmly,

Debbie

By Debbie | On July 24, 2011 – 12:02 am | Posted in News | Tags , , , , | Comments (2)
25th

Plein Air Inspirations I

Something New!

I thought it would be fun to post tips, thoughts and inspirational quotes about plein air painting since I will be out in the field more frequently as summer approaches. That is if we ever get summer! Today I thought I was going to have to dig out my winter coat again! I will also post short videos as well featuring my plein air outings.  I hope you enjoy!

 

PLEIN AIR INSPIRATIONS I

(Thoughts, tips and inspirations about plein air painting)

Emily Carr is one of my heroes! I will relay sometime how she became a catalyst for the beginnings of my plein air journey. I love this quote as it depicts that painting a subject without feeling leaves a void in the work produced. Truth comes from a sincere and connected depiction of your subject.

 

“There is something bigger than fact: the underlying spirit, all it stands for, the mood, the vastness, the wildness.” (Emily Carr)

More of Emily Carr’s inspirational work can be viewed here. You can also read her biography as well.

Warmly,

Debbie

 

If you enjoyed this post I would love if you could Like it at the top of the page. Thanks! You can also use the share buttons at the bottom of this post to share with your friends. :D

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By Debbie | On June 25, 2011 – 4:53 pm | Posted in Plein Air Inspirations - Inspirations/Videos, Uncategorized | Tags , , , , | Comments (0)
12th

Spring Dance

Spring Dance

The garden centers have opened and an array of color notes strum through the aisles. After a long winter, bursting blooms tantalize one, begging to be brought home. They sing of long summer days and gardens dancing with color.

Although it is a cold rainy day, they imbue my studio with cheer as they smile back. I promise to give them eternal life as they become immortalized in paint. Their lighthearted nature reminds me of children absorbed in play; where only the present moment bears meaning.

Debbie Lamey-MacDonald

It was a cold and rainy spring day when I decided to take things into my own hands and bring spring cheer into my studio. So off I went to the garden centers on  a treasure hunt for brilliant color and smiling blooms. As I shivered picking out my subjects, I smiled at the thought of being in my nice warm studio painting these cheerful blooms. I was on a mission to ignore this cold spring and make my own music!

What a joy it was to share a space with these special blooms. I love pansies. They have such smiling sweet faces and immediately make me happy. As music surrounded my studio and rain fell outside, I travelled to a joyful place while paint flowed.

I hope you also get to experience some quiet times surrounded by the cheerfulness of Spring blooms! Do you find pleasure in new blooms? What are some of your favorite flowers?

Happy Spring Everyone!

Warmly,

Debbie

 

Feel free to email me anytime. You may also sign up for my e-newsletter on the side bar of this page under Mailing List. :D

 

By Debbie | On June 12, 2011 – 7:51 pm | Posted in Studio Work | Tags , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (4)
20th

Back out on location!

New Life

The brook rhymically babbles along this evening. The light begins to stroke sections of land and trees as the sun lowers in the sky. The field is aglow beyond the brook and is ready to come alive as Spring progresses onward.

Soon a lacy frill of green will drape over branches, concealing their skeletal nature. Spring delineates winter’s sparseness and brings about new life.  A rebirth is felt within the land!

Debbie Lamey-MacDonald

MacLellan’s Brook, Nova Scotia

On Easter Monday evening I had a chance to paint out on location again! It was the first time on location since last fall and felt like I was coming out of hibernation. It didn’t take long to get back in sync with nature. Painting in her open studio was just as I had remembered.  A variety of conditions arose that kept me on my toes–rapidly changing light, variances in temperature from the time I arrived and taking care not to over paint so I wouldn’t lose the simplicity of my subject and thus loose its esssence.

My son accompanied me on this outing and was witness to me becoming overzealous with my subject. At one point as I tried to capture the abundance of light on all the tree branches, I went too far! My painting became too busy and I had to pare back what I had added. This happened in a matter of minutes and reminded me of how important it was to keep things relatively simple when out on location. In this situation, too much detail interfered with the overall feeling of my painting–less was definitely more.

All and all I really loved being immersed in nature again and once again she quickly reminded me of lessons I had almost forgotten! I am really looking forward to being out in Mother Nature’s Open Studio during the upcoming seasons! Hoping you get to spend some peaceful moments in nature as well.

Warmly,

Debbie

By Debbie | On May 20, 2011 – 10:29 pm | Posted in On Location | Tags , , , , , , | Comments (1)