Fine Art of Debbie Lamey-MacDonald» Powell’s Pt. Park

Time Framed

Debbie — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 16:48:12 +0000

(click to enlarge)

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

You can also view the stages of development of ”Time Framed” here. :D

A Window to the Sea

Debbie — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 00:15:33 +0000

A Window to the Sea

It is a perfect summer day! One that will bring warmth during cold winter months. A balmy air hangs in the park accented by a soft breeze every so often. The distance is a hazy blue that appears dreamy and calm. Billowy clouds change slowly creating interesting shapes and patterns.

A peek hole is nature’s window to the sea, causing the mind to wander and explore the space beyond. I am reminded that without exploration and adventure life can become stagnant and predictable. Nature always favors spontaneity causing one to adjust to her flow.

Debbie Lamey-MacDonald

Powell’s Point Park, Nova Scotia.

Sea Path

Debbie — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 15:18:31 +0000

Sea Path

The weather is changeable by the sea. When I arrived this morning, a clear blue sky stretched into the distance. However, as I worked in a meditative state a cloud cover slowly crowded out the clear blue above. Billowy clouds settled into place, revealing only small pockets of blue.

In the distance, slats of bright sunlight stroke the sandy shores; while deeper blues dominant the land. Curves of land and sea push forward trailing the eye to shore like a meandering pathway. It would be nice if life acted the same; flowing in an easy motion allowing one to live it with grace and ease.

Debbie Lamey-MacDonald

Powell’s Point Park, Nova Scotia

Nature’s Lullaby

Debbie — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 18:57:47 +0000

Nature’s Lullaby

Slowly a veil of darkness begins to cloak land and water as the last rays of light fade. After a breezy day a calmness envelops the park. Tranquility presides as nature prepares for nightfall.

Nature’s lullaby whispers of a peaceful sleep as one leaves their cares behind and surrenders to her solitude. She promises renewal when the light begins to rise again and a new day awakens.

Debbie Lamey-MacDonald

Powell’s Point. Park, Nova Scotia

Summer Days Are Numbered

Debbie — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 01:39:45 +0000

Summer Days Are Numbered

Summer days are numbered in the park, but today nature has rewarded us with one more. Waterfowl nosily dart and dive in glass like water, feasting on early morning delicacies. The tide has moved large quantities of water out to sea revealing the ocean bottom and small living creatures.

Patterns of land and water draw one into a tranquil space that seems to encapsulate a space of pure freedom. Time becomes stretched and drawn out. There are no man made restrictions and a natural rhythm strums on at its own pace. It is an endlessness one could live in forever: surely a heaven on earth.

Debbie Lamey-MacDonald

Powell’s Point Park, Nova Scotia

Freshness of Spring

Debbie — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 00:46:46 +0000

Sold

Freshness of Spring

It is such a thrill to be back painting in the park after a long winter. Spring has enveloped the park with its freshness. An array of lime greens, reds and crisp blues dance before ones eyes. A gentle breeze drifts in amongst new foliage and across the ocean.

Delightful arrays of new beginnings prevail; bringing promises of leisurely days ahead within nature’s easy going personality. Promises of renewal and the enjoyment of warm day activities bring a smile to one’s face. Renewal is essential to one’s well being; it brings new hope and obliterates the mundane of daily routines.

Powell’s Point Park, Nova Scotia

Debbie Lamey-MacDonald

Return to the Park

Debbie — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 00:29:38 +0000

Return To The Park

After a long hiatus I have come back to visit the park. Immediately, I am reminded of its allure and hear an inner voice scolding me for my lengthy absence. Life’s responsibilities can get in the way and what brings much delight can soon become a fading memory.

A gentle breeze rustles amongst the foliage; allowing it freedom of movement as it gently rocks back and forth. Wild roses provide delight to the eye as they cheerfully dance about within summer greens. Their laughter fills the space around them with joy and the promise of languid summer days ahead.

We must remember to take nature’s lead and move at a slower pace, remembering to quiet the mind so that self renewal becomes evident.

Debbie Lamey-MacDonald

Powell’s Point Park, Nova Scotia

Believing In Magic

Debbie — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 18:07:04 +0000

Believing In Magic

The moon smiled softly in a violet blue sky. Its presence added a magical feel as it hovered over the park. It whispered tales of cheerful summer days, creating excitement for what lies ahead.

Magical moments present themselves regularly in nature. Children seem to innately be aware of this phenomenon. It is adulthood that silences these moments as the responsibilities of life take over. Stepping into nature restores the belief in magic and renews faith, if one is willing to listen.

Debbie Lamey-MacDonald

Powell’s Point Park, Nova Scotia

I am returning to the park to paint again this year to add new work to my Powell’s Point Park Series. As long as I can remember I have loved and been fascinated with the moon. I love how it tauntingly appears even in the early morning hours. I remember as a child reading magical stories and poems about the moon. As children we liked to discuss the moon imagining that the dark spots were chunks of cheese. Even the saying “The Man in the Moon” revved up our imaginations; whereby, we began to string along various fun stories. The moon has a magical quality that I think can appeal to even adult imaginations! I would love to hear any of your stories about your infatuation with the moon!

Warmly,

Debbie

P.S. You can find the video post about the day I was on location painting the study for this painting here. As a little added note, the day I painted the study for this painting, I was celebrating my 28th Wedding Anniversary with Ian. Time sure does fly!

New Plein Air Inspirations Video: Powell’s Pt. Park

Debbie — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 11:38:55 +0000

Hi Everyone!

Here is my latest ” Plein Air Inspirations” video of my newest study done in Powell’s Pt. Park, Nova Scotia. It was a gorgeous summer morning and while scouting for a subject to paint I looked up in the sky and saw the moon still hovering above. I love the look of the moon in the sky during the day –something magical about it! I am presently painting a larger studio painting from my study and will be finished of it soon. Hope you enjoy my little informal video. Cheers!

Warmly,

Debbie

Freshness of Spring

Debbie — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 21:54:05 +0000

It felt like coming home when the park reopened and I returned to paint its beauty. I easily stepped in time with its rhythm and began to recall emotions I had experienced there previously. There is something very comforting about painting in a familiar location and at the same time exhilarating knowing that unexpected views will be discovered amongst its familiarity.

My heart sang as I listened to nature, smelled the sweet salty air and relished in a slower pace nature had to offer. It is an escape from a fast paced world –a place where living in the moment becomes a priority. Schedules and to do lists become a distant thought as nature envelopes my senses. May nature softly whisper of the importance of self renewal and the necessity of finding a sacred place where you too can find a peacefulness beyond the noise of life.

P.S. Although different from the surface texture I am use to, I did enjoy painting on this linen panel by RayMar.

Painting and Reflection both completed on location.

Freshness of Spring

Warmly,

Debbie

Powell’s Point Park Video

Debbie — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 00:19:44 +0000

Hi Everyone,

I made this small video from my Powell’s Point Park Series I am working on. Hope you enjoy it

Let the tranquility of nature transport you to a realm of peacefulness.

The Unexpected In Plein Air

Debbie — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 21:46:49 +0000

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!