Till Tomorrow

"Till Tomorrow"

11 x 14 x 3/4" Oil on Canvas

Available at The Dutch Art Gallery, Dallas

I'd painted a similar, larger painting a while back in a square format. When I was asked to do this size I was a little worried that the horizontal format might not work for the subject matter. While the boat is key - it's the sky that I wanted to fill the painting with. But I think it turned out ok.

Dogs, Dogs

"Bonnie"

5 x 5 inches, Oil on Board

"Ole"

5 x 5 inches, Oil on Board

A beautiful quote I found:

"He is my other eyes that can see above the clouds; my other ears that hear above the winds. He is the part of me that can reach out into the sea. He has told me a thousand times over that I am his reason for being; by the way he rests against my leg; by the way he thumps his tail at my smallest smile; by the way he shows his hurt when I leave without taking him. (I think it makes him sick with worry when he is not along to care for me.) When I am wrong, he is delighted to forgive. When I am angry, he clowns to make me smile. When I am happy, he is joy unbounded. When I am a fool, he ignores it. When I succeed, he brags. Without him, I am only another man. With him, I am all-powerful. He is loyalty itself. He has taught me the meaning of devotion. With him, I know a secret comfort and a private peace. He has brought me understanding where before I was ignorant. His head on my knee can heal my human hurts. His presence by my side is protection against my fears of dark and unknown things. He has promised to wait for me... whenever... wherever - in case I need him. And I expect I will - as I always have. He is just my dog." - Gene Hill

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!

Merry Christmas and Snow

"House with Red Roof"

11 x 14" Oil on Canvas/Palette knife work

Well it's Christmas Eve and SURPRISE, SURPRISE! It's snowing. It was in the 70's yesterday - and I even went out to dinner with bare legs and sandals! But today the snow came in and ruined my plans for a Christmas Eve dinner with friends - the roads are getting a little too cold to drive on and there is snow everywhere - the windows a foggy and frosted.

We're having a white Christmas Eve - it's perfect!!!

Red Flowers in a Green Vase

"Red Flowers"

14 x 14 x 3/4" Oil on Stretched Canvas

Painted with Palette knife

This is a commission and already spoken for. I love painting flowers that are vague and abstract. The red flowers are perfect for Christmas.

Mistletoe

6 x 6 inches, Oil on Board

Available.

email me.

Feeling Christmasy

Chemise - Palette Knife Oil Painting

"Chemise"

8 x 8 x 3/4 inches, Oil on Canvas

Some paintings are just fun! This one was fun to paint. That's not right. Most of the time I'm having fun painting; I'm in a better place when I'm mushing paint about and getting it on my hands, my face, clothes.

I must say, though - as I was just about finished and really happy with the way it had turne out noticed that her hand was in the wrong place!!! I had to paint it out and re-design with her hand on her knee - I think it looks a lot better this way!

This painting is just a tad bigger at 8 inches square.

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Looking for Someting in Red

"Something in Red"

6 x 6 inches, Oil on Board

Palette Knife

Christmas, parties, what to wear...and then I heard Lorrie Morgan singing "I'm looking for something in red....something that's shocking to turn someone's head...."

It's a good time of year to wear something red....

Angels with Attitude - Doll

"Doll"

8 x 6 inches, Oil on Raymar Canvas Board

Another Angel with Attitude. I had a birthday last week. I guess that's a good thing. I'm alive because I have them. But I don't like 'em...Darn...

My painting friend Nancy Medina gave me a beautiful plaque for my birthday with a lovely quote. It says:

"FRIENDS are angels who lift us up to our feet when our own wings have trouble remembering how to fly."

My friends definitely are my angels. I don't know how many angels' shoulders I use to whine on, and who help me to my feet.

Thank you dear friends, dear dear angels.

Angels with Attitude

"Guy"

8 x 6 inches Oil on Raymar Canvas Board

Palette knife

This angel is pondering something...a new one for my angels with attitude series.

Bedhead Dog

"Meemo Bedhead"

5 x 5 inches, Oil on Board

Little Meemo was under the weather the other day but Sharon tells me that he is on the mend. Oh it's so difficult to see our pets not feeling very well because they can't tell us they are hurting. I'm so glad Meemo if feeling better!

Angel Painting with Palette Knife

"I'm Listening"

6 x 8, Oil on Raymar Canvas Board

When I painted this angel at my weekly painting with my painting pals, Barbara said the angel looked like she was holding a cigarette or something. Kinda has an attitude about her. That got me to thinking. Hmmmmm Angels with Attitude. That'd be fun. So I will be painting a few more "Angels with Attitude". So what if the angel who listens to you developes an attitude - "Stop whining" the angel says to you!! Oh my!

If you read my last post about honey roasted peanuts, I'm sure my angel looked the other way when I stuck that doggie treat in my mouth instead of gently guiding my hand away from the canister....and is still laughing at me!

Have fun!

Honey Roasted Peanuts

"Golden"

5 x 5 inches, Oil on Board

Another commission.

S was showing me how well the new foster dog responds to little treats....Stella, my pointer sister loved the treats too - she'd proudly stand for it. He was reaching into a large can of honey-roasted peanuts.

I reached for one and popped one in my mouth - it had a fishy taste, not at all sweet and when I spit it out it was square shaped. I looked at the can and it did say "honey-roasted peanuts" so I figured I'd gotten a "bad" one and that it was one of those nuts with some coating on it, so I popped it back into my mouth....YEAH - stupid of me! YEAH....and then it hit me!!! These were not honey-roasted peanuts but someone had put doggie treats in that canister!!

Aaaaarrrrgggghhhh...really? It took two attempts for me to figure it out!?!? Well, I refuse to "sit" or "stay" for that horrid tasting honey roasted peanut!!

Have a wonderful Saturday!

All Dogs Go To Heaven

"Genny"

5 x 5 inches, Oil on Board

I love the title of the animated movie, "All Dogs Go To Heaven". I'm sure of it. This is a commissioned painting of "Genny" who is now an angel. She wanted a painting of Genny as a Christmas present to herself.

"You can say any fool thing to a dog, and the dog will give you this look that says, `My God, you're RIGHT! I NEVER would've thought of that!'" - Dave Barry

Palette Knife Painting of Angels

"Angel Friends"

8 x 8 inches, oil on Canvas

Palette knife

A few angel and friend quotes:

"If you should die before me, ask if you can bring a friend."- Stone Temple Pilots

"I am good, but not an angel. I do sin, but I am not the devil. I am just a small girl in a big world trying to find someone to love." - Marilyn Monroe

"Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow. Don't walk behind me, I may not lead. Walk beside me and be my friend.- Albert Camus

I'm no angel, but I've spread my wings a bit. ~Mae West

Angel Painting - A Little Different

"Goth Angel"

6 x 6 inches, Oil on Board

Painted with Palette knife

Is it unusual for an angel to have black wings? The black wings idea was something my sister suggested.

I didn't want to make the angel too terrifying though.

Angel Painting - "Dreaming"

"Dreaming"

8 x 6 inches, Oil on Raymar Canvas Board

Palette knife oil painting.

Happy Thanksgiving to Everyone!

Artist of the Month

I've been given the title "Artist of the Month" on the I Love Grapevine Website.

YAY!!!!

Contemporary Landscape Abstract with Palette Knife

"Autumn"

6x6 inches, Oil on Gessoed Board

Are you lucky enough to live where the leaves change to brilliant colors? Here in North Texas we don't have the aspens or maples but there is a subtle change. The colors in this little painting reminds me of Autumn.

Thank you all for your title suggestions for the last abstract - I like all the titles and will use them for future paintings.

Small Abstract Oil Painting - Warmth

"Warmth"

6 x 6 x 3/4" inches, Oil on Stretched Canvas

This is a small painting I did a while back and had titled "turmoil" but now that some time has passed, I don't sense the turmoil I probably felt when I painted this. I think sometimes a feeling one has when painting translates to the painting and of course the titles. I wonder if I was feeling some angst when I gave this painting its title. Anyway I'm changing the title to "Warmth".

If you have any other suggestions, I'm open.

Contemporary Abstract with Palette Knife

"Watch Over Me"

20 x 20 x 1.5 inches, Oil on Gallery-wrapped Canvas

I love that song "Someone to Watch Over Me"...I think we all have someone who watches over us and I'm sure we watch over someone. Not literally but in thoughts, prayers and well-wishes.

I love getting emails and phone calls that start with "I was thinking about you...." I've got to remember to do that myself more often and let the people I care know that I think about them.

Thank you for watching over me. Have a beautiful weekend

Celebration - Palette Knife Painting of White Flowers

"Celebration"

14 x 14 x 3/4 inches, Oil on Canvas

Thick Palette knife Painting

I had painted a painting called "I Celebrate You" last year and was asked to do another, so here it is. The background colors are deeper and the vase is blue rather than the dark green of the first painting.

It's already November!! Daylight savings, fall back on the clocks...where does the time go? Driving around at 4 in the afternoon feels like it is late at night and I hurry to get home.

And yet it was warm enough today to wish I was wearing sandals!

Lakeshore - Abstract Lanscape Palette Knife Oil Painitng

"Lakeshore"

6 x 6 inches, Oil on board, Palette Knife

This abstract came about from playing with color. I'd actually wanted a more teal color instead of this intense blue but I think it works with the warm red. I use a limited palette when painting and for this one I used just Prussian Blue, Cad Yellow Pale, Cad Red and white. I find it fun to be able to come up with various combinations using the limited palette, but magenta is a hard one to mix.

Kicking Back with a Glass of Wine and Sunset

"Kicking Back"

6 x 6 inches, Oil on Board, Palette Knife Painting

A little while ago, fellow artist Manon Doyle visited Arizona and put a photo of her feet up on a table, a glass of wine and the sunset kissing her toes. It was such a cool photo I asked her if I could use it as a reference for a future painting. Well this is it - Manon's feet. Thank you Manon for the use of your photo!

Merry Christmas and Poinsettias

"Merry Christmas"

5 x 7 inches, Oil on Board

We haven't had Halloween yet. But driving by my neighborhood I saw Christmas lights out! Several homes!! OK the first home had orange twinkly lights so I suppose that could be considered Halloween decorations but the others had multi-colored light. Maybe they were feeling festive....

We're having a mixed temperatures here in North Texas; it's raining today and slated to get cooler. The leaves on the trees just outside my window is turning yellowish-brown quickly.

Yesterday I found this critter in my bedroom. He's about an inch long. I scooped him up in a glass and placed him next to my computer on my desk as I was working. He had these beautiful big eyes. I asked a friend what I ought to do with this guy and the advice was let him free outside. I did that but I worry about the cold weather we might have ahead. He was such a cutie pie with those eyes!

Blue, Blue, Blue - Palette Knife Painting of a Lady in a Blue Dress

"Blue, Blue, Blue"

6 x 6 inches, oil on Board

It's just the color; I'm not blue. In fact so many interesting things have happened in the past few days that I've no time to be blue except for the fact that I'd not had a chance to blog.

This painting is available for auction - CLICK HERE TO PLACE BID.

The Artist reception at the Dutch Art Gallery was fantastic!. Thanks to Pam and everyone at the Dutch Art Gallery for putting on a wonderful reception. For me, meeting the other Texas Artists who are a part of the Artists of Texas was a real pleasure. Laurie Pace put together a slide show of the Artist Reception and it is available for viewing on the Artists of Texas Website.

Last week I visited my artsy friend Filomena Booth at her house in Waco, TX. She's been making Youtube videos and taught me how to make one too. So here is my first attempt at YouTube:

So, you see, I've nothing to be blue about!

Artists of Texas/Daily Painters of Texas

This afternoon I'll be at the Dutch Art Gallery in Dallas for the "Somewhere In Texas" Art Exhibit featuring artwork by the Artists of Texas and Daily Painters of Texas. I'll be looking forward to meeting the other artists! If you're in the DFW area, please stop by:

Opening Reception
The Dutch Art Gallery, Fine Art & Custom Framing
10233 E. Northwest Hwy Suite 420
Dallas, Texas 75238
DATE: October 17, 2009
TIME: 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm

View works by Artists from across the great state of Texas who network and share their Art through online blogging.

For a Sneak Preview Visit
www.ArtistsofTexas.org
www.DailyPaintersofTexas.blogspot.com

Floral Palette Knife Painting - Be Still My Heart

"Be Still My Heart"

12 x 12 x 3/4 inches, Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Someone uttered that, "Be still, my heart" So many connotations....excitement? Love? Joy?

What makes your heart pound?

This is a larger painting of a very similar one I'd done a couple of weeks ago on a gessoed board 6 x 6 inches - a study. I liked the small one so much that I decided to paint a larger version of it.

It's been raining, raining, raining, here in North Texas. Very hard to tak a decent photo with the gray light. Hope you have sunshine wherever you are reading my blog.

Cosmos - Floral Palette Knife Painting

"Cosmos"

12 x 12 x 3/4 inches, Oil on Gallery wrapped canvas

Painted with the palette knife

Sometimes we are our own enemy. The last post mentioned regret for the things we'd not done, but why don't we just do it? Like the Nike Ad? "Just Do It"...well for many many personal reasons most likely.

As long as the reasons are valid. For here's another quote to contemplate:

"Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you're right" -- Henry Ford

I think we can defeat ourselves by saying "I can't" just as you can do anything you put your mind to. So I think I'll challenge myself to not say "I can't" and see how I might be able to "can" and "do". Even if it takes a few tries. Like the The Little Engine That Could...I should be saying, "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can" and chug along.

Bittersweet - Palette Knife Oil Painting of White Blooms

6 x 6 inches, Oil on Board

A quote of the day. Here's to stepping out of the box and doing something that scares you...

"Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is regret for the things we did not do that is inconsolable."

---Sydney J. Harris

Just A Day - Oil Painting of a Day Lilly

"Just a Day"

5 x 5 inches, Oil on Board, Palette Knife

Someone sent along an email that had interesting message; I tend to like those with uplifting thoughtful messages. You've probably received something like it. Something to think about:

There are four things that you cannot recover in life:

(1) The Stone..........after it's thrown into the ocean,

(2) The Word..............after it's said,

(3) The Occasion......after it's missed,

(4) The Time............after it's gone.

Rhapsody - A Painting of Little White Flowers

"Rhapsody"

6 x 6 inches, Oil on board

Palette knife

I'm happy these days.

Just plain, silly, giddy, joyfully happy. Ok, so they've discontinued my favorite perfume...big deal. It's raining outside; we need it. I have to postpone a trip to a friend's house because of scheduling conflict; my friend said - not a problem, so that's working out. I think it's attitude, don't you?

Little white flowers make me happy too. This photo of the painting came out a little darker but maybe it's my monitor. Hmmm it's almost like the song, "My favorite things" from Mary Poppins? These are a few of my favorite things...

Scent - Painting of a Girl in a Red Dress

"Scent"

6 x 6 inches, Oil on Board

Palette Knife

There is a perfume I like wearing. It goes with my body chemistry. I was disappointed to find that Fendi for Women is being discontinued. I went to all my usual haunts to find a bottle but was unable to. I checked on-line and most show "out of stock" and what few I do find, the prices have quadrupled. I hope Fendi brings back the scent; for wishful thinking - I've titled this painting "Scent".

Black Satin

"Black Satin"

6 x 6 inches, Oil on Board, Palette knife

I've been invited and accepted to join the Daily Abstratct Painters. I'm so excited and honored. While my paintings are not quite abstract, it is starting to border it a bit with these latest paintings I've posted. What do you think? Check back with me, I'll put their website up by the next post.

"Does Morning Come"

SOLD

"Does Morning Come"

6 x 6 inches, Oil on Board - Palette knife painting

There's an old song I like - oh yes, here I go with songs - I listen to them when I paint. Songs from the '70's, soft rock, classic rock, oldies, disco, motown....

Click here to listen: "For the Peace of All Mankind" by Albert Hammond.

Flower Painting, "Colors"

SOLD

"Colors"

6 x 6 inches, Oil on gessoed board

Stumped for a title. "Colors" seemed to fit since the painting if full of colors. And yet I'm a limited palette painter. Actually on this one I did use some Magenta. I also used two blues, Prussian and French Ultramarine, mixed together makes a wonderful cobalt and two reds, Cad Red and Alizarin Crimson.

Visit me on Facebook - you don't have to have a F/B account to see my FAN page.

Oil Palette Kinfe Painting of A Green Dress

"Green Dress"

6 x 6 inches, Oil on gessoed board

I've had a wonderful few days - spending time with other artists. On Thursday I had coffee with Linda Bein. I'd seen her name at a gallery in a town I'd exhbited my artwork this past Spring but I did not know her until we shared coffee. I emailed her introducing myself and she agreed to share a cup of coffee and network.

On Friday, I went to Laurie Pace's house and visited her in her studio. That was a treat! Seeing another artist's studio!!!

On Saturday I met with my pal Nancy Medina and we went shopping to Asel Art Supply in Dallas and visited a couple of Galleries on Dragon Street. I like talking with her, exchanging ideas, news and encouragments. I feel like I've been given a shot of inspiration!!

Ok - do I have any typos here? Let me know if I do.

Painting of Red Flowers, Palette Knife Painting

"Don't Forget, I love You"

6 x 6 inches,

Oil on Board

Click HERE to purchase.

Start the day with a smile - think of me and don't forget, I love you...

Lady in Red - Painting of a Red Dress

"Lady In Red"

6 x 6 inches, Oil on Board

Networking and brainstorming with other artists is a great way to get inspired, keep up on new technology, ideas for how to continue this business called art.

This morning I met with Laurie Pace, contemporary Texas artist at her house. I got to know Laurie through our blogs and emails meeting with her this morning was a treat. She is a very generous artist who gives so much of her time and talent to other artists - one of her projects is the Texas Daily Painters and I have lucky enough bo be associated with her and this group.

The group is made up of artists from all over our large state of Texas and growing. Our first group exhbit is going to be at the Dutch Art Gallery, in Dallas, opening on October 17 and running till November 30.

Where?

"Where?"

6 x 6 inches, Oil on Board

Last night I got together with my painting pals Barbara and Suci and we had such a nice time! It is so wonderful to paint and discuss - "should I paint this as a nude or with a dress?" "Do I paint a tree in here?" "what color should I use?"

Painting is such a solitary thing that having friends to get together to paint with is absolutely wonderful.

For now this is the last of the series from my vacation. "Where?" just seemed as a title, where to, where are we?, where are we going, appropriate as you drive to a new destination - wondering where the next bend may take you.

Happy Painting!!

Escape

"Escape"

6 x 6 inches, Oil on Board

Driving back from my vacation, the song by Rupert Holmes, "Escape" played. A fun song to sing along outloud, especially the chorus parts. "If you like Pina colada..."

A vacation, an escape from the day to day routines and oh, oh, oh, my vacation was wonderful for it. Spending time with special and caring friends, reconnecting with old friends, making new friends, seeing new cities, driving unfamiliar roads, eating out - I think I may need to escape again soon.

End of Summer

"End of Summer"

6 x 6 inches, Oil on Board

Well it is September after all...here in North Texas, it's still sandals and short sleeves but there is a definite Autumn feel in the breezes. My friend said she saw a flock of geese flying South in a "V" formation the other day.

Please visit my website: www.judymackey.com

And I'm on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JudyMackeyArtist

Oil Painting - Beaches

"Beaches"

6 x 6 inches, Oil on Board

Available on Ebay - Click Here.

As I attempted to list this painting on Ebay I realized I'd misspelled the title of my last two Ebay listings - instead of "Painting a Day" I'd put "Paining a Day".

Oh my! Is it a Freudian slip? Pain a day?

It is a pain to realize that my listing had not been found on any searches for "painting" - darn!!

A Driving Experience

"I - 20"

6 x 6 inches, Oil on Board

SOLD

Hadn't posted on the blog in a little while as I took a little vacation. As you might see by the painting above- I drove Eastward on I-20.

While on vacation: My little pet portrait won an award at the Unconditional Love 1st Annual Juried Pet Portrait exhibit at the Irving Art Association. Nancy Medina was my stand-in and accepted the award for me.

I got to meet a high school alum and fellow artist, Hellenne Vermillion. We'd never really met during high school because we were in different grades and I was a friend of her sister Yvonne. But with the internet and blogging we'd become virtual friends sharing ideas via emails so it was really nice to reconnect and meet face to face. I went over to her house, which any artist would envy - and got to see her paintings and silk fabric art. She's teaches silk fabric painting- I wish I had the time to stay to enroll in her class. Check out her blog and etsy site for her silk scarves.

Vacations are great but never long enough.

Celebrate

"Celebrate"

6 x 6 inches, oil on board

Available on Ebay.

Have you ever wondered why people buy art? Carrie Jacobson, of The Accidental Artist writes about her thoughts on how art can change one's life.

"If the art is good, it grows with you, and continues to take you places."

I agree and hope that my collectors feel the same. I love it when someone looks at my paintings and tells me if makes them look again and again finding new colors, new strokes, new textures, new stories each time they look.

I'm honored too.

Check out Carrie's blog and leave her a comment and tell her "hey!"

Time in a Bottle - Wine Glass Painting

"Time in a Bottle"

6 x 6 inches, Oil on Raymar Board, Paletten knife

I admit, when it comes to music I'm stuck in the '70's...

Jim Croce's song was playing when I was trying to think of a title of this wine painting - need I say more? For all the sweet people in this world, I dedicate this song...cheers!

Time in a Bottle

If I could save time in a bottle

The first thing that Id like to do

Is to save every day

'Till eternity passes away

Just to spend them with you

If I could make days last forever

If words could make wishes come true

I'd save every day like a treasure and then,

Again, I would spend them with you

But there never seems to be enough time

To do the things you want to do

Once you find them

I've looked around enough to know

That youre the one I want to go

Through time with

If I had a box just for wishes

And dreams that had never come true

The box would be empty

Except for the memory

Of how they were answered by you

But there never seems to be enough time

To do the things you want to do

Once you find themIve looked around enough to know

That youre the one I want to go

Through time with

Perez Contemporary Gallery

Bridge Over Troubled Waters - Wine Glass Painting

"Bridge Over Troubled Waters"

6 x 6 inches, Oil on Raymar Board, Palette Knife

"Good wine is a good familiar creature if it be well used."

---William Shakespeare

Empty Promises - Painting of Wine Glass

"Empty Promises"

6 x 6 inches, Oil on Board, Palette Knife

"Loosen Up!" Vicki, our art teacher said to Mike, one of the students in our class..."Would a bottle of beer help me?" he mused, and reached into his cooler and opened a bottle...

I love painting with the palette because it keeps my strokes loose. Alright the title is a little sad but an empty glass .... well....

Sunshine - Painting of a Sunflower

"Sunshine"

6 x 6 inches, Oil on Board

Avalable on Ebay.

Why is it that when you drop a buttered slice of bread it always lands buttered side down? When I was just finished taking a photo of this painting - of course in my impatience, the painting is fresh and wet - it drops! Plop! Face down. Gingerly I pick it up. Fortunately I had laid a sheet of disposable palette paper under the painting when I set it up to photograph, so not too much paint "stuck" and the painting was not ruined. My, my! I was lucky - this time.