Sending Holiday Cheer to everyone!

I hope everyone is getting along well with their Christmas preparations. I’m trying to beat the clock as usual!  I have lots to do yet before the 25th. This is always a very busy time of year.

I am presently working on a Christmas still life I set up in my studio. I have been posting my stages of development on my Facebook Fan Page and am really enjoying interacting with people there. So come along and join us as I head to the finish line with my painting! Would love to see you there

Here is the link: http://www.facebook.com/lameymacdonald

Wishing you all smooth sailing with your preparations and Holiday Cheer with Family and Friends!

Warmly,

Debbie

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!

I spotted this little pot of begonias in the grocery store one day. They reminded me of warmer days and gardening. In the summer they have been known to add a burst of bright color to any shade garden. Their interesting shaped leaves are an added bonus to their song of color.

Like roses, they boast many intricate layers of petals. Painting these layers can be tricky. I had to make sure they didn’t take  a “pasted on” appearance. Keeping some layers subtle and others more dominate helped create a more natural display.

As I painted, it occurred to me that their multi-faceted layers were much like individuals in general. As  relationships with others grow, you begin to experience more layers of their personalities. The best layers are the delicate ones inside where defenses have been dropped and their true personalities experienced.

Yearning for the lushness of spring and summer, I once again took a visit to my local florist.  Sometimes when I go I have a flower or color in mind that I feel like painting. This time my urge was the color purple. I love a blue-purple; it seems so regal and rich.

While in the cold florists fridge, I browsed around with a worker. She was so helpful and pulled out various types of flowers for me to consider. I thought the poor worker was going to freeze if I didn’t make up my mind in a more timely manner. Finally, I spotted a small pot of mini irises calling to me from a small ledge in the fridge. They were perfect! Perky and jolly -just what I needed in this drab March weather! We were both happy as we exited the florist fridge!

Once home I stained my canvas with a wash of cadium yellow medium. Then once a quick sketch was in place and the still life set up with its spot light; my painting frenzy began. I worked alla prima all in one session to complete this small painting.

I thought its name “Iris Harmony” was so befitting to its allure.  Being in nature with its timelessness and lush surroundings always seems to bring harmony to me. What creates harmony for you? I believe listening and finding something that creates this emotion is crucial for one’s sense of well being. Remember to take time to create a sense of harmony in your life today. You will be thankful you did!

I just finished this 5x7in painting.  The tricky part in this painting was  making sure my ellipse was correct and maintaining the symmetrical proportions of the egg cup. I found this little egg cup in my cupboard and have wanted to paint it for awhile.  I just loved how cheerful it looked with its bright orange design.

I remember as a child having these little egg cups for our boiled eggs. They were always so cute and unique. My mom always made “toast fingers” that I could dip into the yolk. I loved the yolk and didn’t bother to eat the white part of the egg. LOL  I am on the look out for more that I can  paint in the future. Did you have a special egg cup? Love to hear about it!

It’s been awhile since my last post! This is such a busy time of year!! I recently finished a new studio painting–just a small one, but fun to do.  It measures 9in.x 7in.  I set the still life up in my studio and then painted from life.  I loved, loved painting the design on the pottery vase! Really fun to paint! I used an old  varnished water bed board to set my still life on.  It made for a nice shiny surface so that I could paint great reflections from my set up.  I have to come up with a title for this one yet though. I have posted my set up and the completed painting.

Now that this still life is complete I dismantled it and now have a new set up for my Xmas painting.  I will make cards off it when it is complete.  Paint has to really get flying as my days are getting numbered! I will post my set up and Xmas painting when complete.