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!
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! 
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!
Happy New Year Everyone!
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.
- Create a greater online presence.
- Revise my current website-adding e-commerce, adding audio to some of my reflections and other features. http://lameymacdonald.com
- Continuing with and revising my Blog. http://lameymacdonald.com/blog
- 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!
- Introduce and continue my “Minimalist Series” as well as my “Bookshelf Collection”.
- 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”
- 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.
- Remain open to any new experiences, ideas etc. that come along in 2009!
- 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
My husband and I attended an Invitational Wine and Cheese at Nova Scotia Art Sales and Rental. It was meant to be a thank-you to artists, patrons and volunteers. It was inspirational to see other artists’ work. I wish I was closer to Halifax so I could take in events/talks with the arts community. It is always great to talk to other artists! After we left the wine and cheese, we went to see Tom Forrestall’s Exhibit at the Art Gallery Nova Scotia. (all events were in the same building) Wow! What a treat! His work is amazing and really unique. We also got to view his newly published book about his art and writings. It was nice to see a local artist honored in such a way.
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”.
I am very excited to say that my new website is now on the web! Many, many thanks to my son Brett who built my new website! I greatly appreciate all the effort and enduring hours he put into completing it. It is so wonderful to have a computer savvy individual at home! Any comments for Brett can be sent Here
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