Hi Everyone,

I am adding a New Category to my blog called, “Artists Talk”.  Since I have joined the social media scene via Twitter and Facebook I have been very fortunate to meet some terrific Artists and Creatives. Many have been very generous in offering tips  and resources, not to mention their support. I am very grateful for both their generous natures and friendships.

Thus, as a way to give back I will be  posting  any personal tips or resources I come across that I feel would be of interest or helpful to my fellow artists.  Please feel free to add your own tips/resources or elaborate on the ones mentioned.  Join in the talk with fellow Artists!

I recently came across two Fabulous Artists Leslie Saeta and Dreama Tolle Perry who are both professional artists who broadcast a weekly talk radio show called “Artists Helping Artists” for free. They discuss ways artists can enhance their business based on their own personal or guests experiences. I love their philosophy of artists helping other artists! Kudos to them both for their kindness and generosity! They now have a new blog for Artists Helping Artists as well. I am so happy I found these two great gals and have benefited from their sharing. I hope you do too!

On another note I would like to share a trick I learned from one of  E. John Robinson‘s videos years ago. If you are an oil painter you have probably painted not only your canvas, but your clothes as well. I know I am notorious for getting paint on my face and clothes. Robinson mentioned on his video that oven cleaner works really well in getting paint out of your clothes. So being the adventurous one, I decided to give it a try. Well I was amazed at how well this trick worked, especially when you spray it on freshly painted clothing. I get paint out of my clothes often using this little trick.  A new kind of “Spray and Wash” for artists clothes.

Please feel free to add a comment or elaborate on any of the ideas mentioned above. Wishing you much fun in your creative endeavors!

Warmly,

Debbie

New Spring Arrivals!

I would like to share some new work I have been doing that I am really jazzed about! A few weeks ago I started painting miniature paintings ranging in sizes from 3x2in. to 4x4in.  They are painted on linen covered archival panels and can be ordered from Art Boards. I discovered that I really love painting on linen and am contemplating painting on linen for larger works as well.

I love the intimacy these small works create. For some  reason their personal quality remind me of short lines of poetry. Careful planning is still necessary when setting up these little paintings.There is not a lot of room for error, so I often do a quick thumbnail or gesture sketch before I begin painting my still life.

For awhile I have had small nudges to explore this area of smaller works.  I am so happy I finally listened to that little voice. My admiration of some daily painters such as Duane Keiser, Julian Merrow-Smith and Justin Clayton have also inspired me to begin this new painting adventure.

In keeping with my artwork/reflections process, I am accompanying each small painting with a line of prose or poetry. I hope these mini paintings will add a ray of sunshine to your day. I have felt most joyful when painting them.

Happy Spring Everyone!

Warmly,

Debbie

P.S. I have begun adding these to my Etsy Shop.  I will also be adding  Buy It Now buttons to my blog as well. For your reference, pricing is as follows: 3x2in $50.00 +S/H, 3x3in. $58.00 +S/H and 4x4in. $75.00 +S/H.

P.P.S. You can now sign up for my future Ezine where I will be sharing, paintings, happenings and thoughts about my work. Love to have you! (Sign up is on this page on the side panel.)

Special Announcement!

“Blooms in Winter” is now up for bids on the Haiti Relief Auction sponsored by 140hours. It’s a great way to purchase original art at bargain prices! Come see and join in on the bidding fun. One hundred percent of the money raised is being donated to help the Haitian people!

You can bid on “Blooms in Winter” 5x7in. Original oil painting  here.

You can also bid on other original works of art here

This is a wonderful way for everyone to extend their hearts to the Haitian People!

People around the world are coming together for a common purpose to help those in need in Haiti after a devastating earthquake. Visual Artists are one of such groups who have opened their hearts by donating work to be auctioned in 140 Hours Art Auction Benefit for Haiti. One hundred percent of the proceeds will go to the humanitarian efforts in Haiti.

I am honored to be part of such a worthy cause and am proud of all the visual artists who donated beautiful works of art. I would also like to congratulate 140 Hours for presenting a platform in which to carry out this event!

If you are an artist and would like to donate work you can do so here.

If you are an art collector and would like to purchase wonderful art please join here.  Together we can make a  difference!

Warmly,
Debbie

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/

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!

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!

Recent events reminded me that it is always good to maintain an open mind of where one can display their artwork.   Using traditional galleries is great, but other venues besides regular galleries can also prove to be a good fit for one’s work as well.  I recently had the opportunity to hang a collection of my work at Laura’s Day Spa).  The atmosphere at Laura’s is such a good fit for my work! Both parties maintain a philosophy of soothing and uplifting their clientele.

If you are local, I would highly recommend a visit to Laura’s to pamper yourself.  Laura and her staff are so warm and welcoming, I am sure you would enjoy them pampering you.  I am so guilty myself of not always taking personal pampering time! You can visit her at www.laurasdayspa.ca

As a result of this recent opportunity, I was once again reminded of the fact that it is a good idea to have a body of work ready that could be displayed  in short notice! It prompted me to be on my toes and update all my work as soon as it is completed.  Ex. Recording it in your inventory, getting a good digital, info on the back of the painting, framing etc. You just never know what opportunities are just around the corner!

I have started 2009 by launching a new “Minimalist Series” of small works.  They will be a part of my” Bookshelf Collection” on my website http://www.lameymacdonald.com This series will run no larger than 6x8in. They are so enjoyable to paint and at the same time hone my skills.   An abundance of ideas for these small works are bubbling over in my head!  I have decided to add short anecdotes with each one- no need to write lengthy reflections.

All works continue to be painted from life.  The works are painted alla prima (wet into wet) and usually in one session. The first painting is titled “Blooms in Winter” ; second is “A New Angle”. Hope they add a smile to your day!

Thoughts and Plans for 2009

It is always great to take a few moments to jot down future plans and ideas.  Putting thoughts to paper always seems to bring about greater clarity and focus.  I am excited about bringing these new ideas or plans into action during 2009.  Hopefully, by 2010 some will have come to fruition.

1. Create a greater online presence.
2. Revise my current website-adding e-commerce, adding audio to some of my reflections and other features.  http://lameymacdonald.com
3. Continuing with and revising my Blog.  http://lameymacdonald.com/blog
4. My most exciting idea : to create a separate and totally new Website and Concept.  I have been scheming since the summer of ’08 on this idea.  I even registered the domain name already. My new site will have a Special Section for local clientele, For Everyone it will have:  Collections of work for sale, By products from my artwork and an educational component as well.  I will need my technologically minded son to pull this one off! I’ll let you know how we are doing on my blog-lots of behind the scenes activity so far!
5. Introduce and continue my “Minimalist Series” as well as my “Bookshelf  Collection”.
6. Begin working on another Series of paintings of Powell’s Point Park.  I posted some of my studies on an earlier blog post titled “Powel Point Park”
7. Explore the idea of producing a small coffee table book.  I found a neat site that provided the software to actually assemble your book online at www.blurb.com I just need to make sure the digital images will be of good quality.
8. Remain open to any new experiences, ideas etc. that come along in 2009!
9. Lastly and most importantly, to continue learning as an artist; always striving to create the best work I can, thus providing works of quality for others.

Why not take a few moments of your own to jot down your ideas or thoughts for 2009.  It really helps to refocus and get a grasp on what is most important to you.  Let’s make 2009 the best yet!

Finally getting my Xmas painting posted.  All  I need to do now is  run off photos. Then cutting and pasting begins.   I give these cards out for gifts to family, friends etc.  Often the people receiving them frame them as keepsakes.  I thought that was such a neat idea and one I had not thought of when I started giving them a number of years ago.  I really enjoy giving them out and feel it’s my small way of sharing with everyone.  Adding a little sparkle to their day makes me happy!

I am now scheming again and am thinking about painting a  minimalist series of small paintings.  Some thoughts were orange wedges, garlic etc. one or two items, but adding drama with color, texture and lighting.  Hmmm we ‘ll see.  Hope to start one soon.

I want to take a moment though to wish everyone a Very Happy Holiday Season! Special thanks for visiting my site and following my blog! I always love receiving your comments. Thanks!

Merry Christmas!

The following is my reflection for inside my Xmas cards from the painting above:

Simplicity

For years many beliefs have surrounded the holly plant. Some believed it to be a symbol of peace and harmony.

While others believed it possessed a mystical quality. It has adorned many a household with its fresh glossy leaves and vibrant red berries.

Whatever the belief, its simplicity speaks of Christmas’ true meaning. It speaks of the real magic of Christmas when one attains a heightened awareness of humanity; an awareness of our ability to lift another’s spirit. The true meaning of Christmas lies within the human spirit. May this heightened sense touch one and all and sustain us throughout the coming year.

Debbie Lamey-MacDonald

Christmas 2008

]]> http://www.lameymacdonald.com/merry-xmas-everyone/feed/ 2 http://www.lameymacdonald.com/twitterjoined-online-gallery/ http://www.lameymacdonald.com/twitterjoined-online-gallery/#comments Tue, 02 Dec 2008 19:10:21 +0000 Debbie http://www.lameymacdonald.com/?p=223 I just joined Twitter and have an icon on my sidebar so you can keep up to date with short quips from me regarding news and new work posted. Join Twitter today so you can follow along! It is fun and entertaining! Cheers!

On another note I just spent a lot of time getting set up for e-commerce on an online gallery titled boundless gallery.  I now have a profile and work for sale on this site.  My intention is to increase my market to a larger audience.  Not sure how it will go, but time will tell.  It is a nice site to navigate around.

My local buyers can still contact me direct.  This is more for distance buyers.  Check my store out at lameymacdonaldart.boundlessgallery.com

Hope everyone is surviving the Xmas rush! I always find this time of year a bit hectic. I really love it when I can sit with a cup of tea and look at the Xmas lights and just breath a sigh of relief! Good luck with all your Xmas preparations!

On our way home I went into Chapters to purchase a few art magazines.  I sure was inspired and motivated by the time I left the city.  I am definitely getting out on location tomorrow morning!

On June 27th a piece of my work titled “A Cheery Note” was part of a group show called, “It’s My Party” at the Destination Gallery, Parrsboro Nova Scotia.
Here is a visual of it. I set this still life up in my studio and painted it from life. Time was of the essence as tulips actually grow taller when in water. Believe it or not they actually grew taller overnight and of course disturbed the ribbon I had woven in amongst the foliage!
Four other pieces are on display at the Destination Gallery as well. Two are from my “Bookshelf Collection”.

Please check back often as we continue to add new features and additions to the site. We are thinking we might add audio to a few of the written reflections. With Brett’s ingenuity you never know what might appear! Your comments and personal stories regarding my work are always welcome. I love hearing how some works evoke memories or resonate with you on some level.