Painting on a cloudy Thursday at Linden

When planning for a workshop I like to arrive early and get in touch with the place.  Like everyone else I am overwhelmed by "something to paint" everywhere I look.  One of those spring southern storms moved through on Wednesday night. It was great hearing the rain on the roof of my cabin.  The next morning I went out to do some 30 minute warm-up paintings.  These little 5 X 7's can pack a lot into a small space. Although it was cloudy, there were good color contrasts and soft lights. The value range is tighter, but still good little paintings.  Sometimes colors look brighter against a darker blue-violet-grey sky.  Even the shady areas contain soft reflected light. 

Cloudy Thursday, Grain Bin, Oil on Canvas Panel, 5 X 7 Inches

Cloudy Thursday, Fallow Field, Oil on Canvas Panel, 5 X 7 Inches

Donna presents a Plein Air Workshop May 21, 22, 2016

"Lake Loop Morning" (oil) Plein Air, 7" x 11"

Donna McGee will present a Plein Air Workshop May 21, 22, 2016. Donna has traveled throughout the United States plein air painting. She is skilled in both acrylic and oil painting. Students will learn how to complete a small plein air painting on site. 

For more information, contact the River Art Gallery: 318-322-2380

Donna presents a Plein Air Workshop May 21, 22, 2016

"Arched Root, Cheniere Lake" (oil) Plein Air, 14" x 11"

Donna McGee will present a Plein Air Workshop May 21, 22, 2016. Donna has traveled throughout the United States plein air painting. She is skilled in both acrylic and oil painting. Students will learn how to complete a small plein air painting on site. 

For more information, contact the River Art Gallery: 318-322-2380

Great Blue

Great Blue, Watermedia, 29x22 Inches

What I like about this painting is the stillness of the bird contrasted with the energy in the background.  These birds are very patient and still by nature. 

Dawn's Promise

 

 

Dawn's Promise, Watermedia, 29 x 22 Inches

 

Rivers are threads connecting communities .  Rivers are always flowing constantly changing.  Dawn is a time of new beginning, symbolic of the promise that every day is an opportunity for growth and change.  As the sun rises, light gradually pushes back darkness.  The painting is symbolic of the battle of dark and light, but the mood evoked is one of peace with the promise of dawn offering hope . 

 

Water Dragon Landing, Watermedia

 

This painting (sold) recently won Best of Show in the Hoover Watercolor Society's 57th Annual Spring Exhibition in Shreveport, Louisiana.  The exhibition was held in Norsworthy Gallery, 214 Texas St. The Show will travel to Michelson Museum of Art in Marshall, TX, July 8-August 30, 2014.

 

February 6th, 6:45 PM Artist's Talk

Ouachita River Art Gallery, 308 Trenton Street, West Monroe, LA 

Contrasts

Great Blue, watermedia, 21X14 inches (IM) 29X22 inches (FR

I love long legged wading birds. The stillness of this great blue heron is a nice contrast for the movement in the background. 

Chill Wind

A Chill Wind that Blows No Good, Watermedia: Acrylic,  29X22 inches (FR)

 

Part of my wind series, the tree is from my grandmother's yard, but everything else is from my imagination.  As a little girl I loved the trees in Mamaw's yard because their twisted and knobby character was evidence of their history.  More than 100 years of life in a farmyard serving as everything from playhouse to butcher's hoist.

Louisiana Swampscape

Twilight, Acrylic on Composite Board, 30 X 24 Inches, 2010 www.ouachitariverartgallery.com

 

This painting one of 4 paintings that marked the beginning of a change in my recent work. Twilight is an attempt to capture not only the physical imagery but the emotional myth of the Louisiana swampscape; the eternal battle between dark and light, myth and truth.

Dream Portal

Dream Portal, Acrylic, 18 X 24 Inches

 

In Dream Portal I try to use color and light to evoke the filtered light common on woodland trails, inviting the viewer to take a walk with me.  I love the woods and have been exploring all of my life.  I am also a dreamer and more likely to daydream than be fearful when alone in the woods.



Beyond

Beyond Me, Acrylic, Watermedia Acrylic, 28X21 inches (IM), 36X28 inches (FR)

 

This time of year the sky seems infinite and you can really look up and see.  So look up and find something beyond. 

Infinite Mysteries

Infinite Mysteries, Watermedia Acrylic, 8 X 6 inches (IM), 13 X 15 inches (FR)

"Why" is not just a question that 2 years olds ask.  I think we ask why all of our lives.  The answer is one of the Infinite Mysteries of Life. The contrasting colors green and red represent the answers to our "why?" or mysteries of life.

Morning Reflections

 

Early Morning Reflections, Oil in Plein Air, 9X12 inches. Painted along Williams Creek, in Southern Colorado, Summer 2012

 

Painting for me is meditation.  There is enough controversy in the world.  I seek a state of oneness, to be one with, to simply be.

Red Sky Morning

 

Red Sky Morning, Acrylic: Mixed Media

Accepted into the Mississippi Watercolor Society's Grand National Exhibition
To see more of Donna's artwork, visit her website.

 

This painting was inspired by the descriptive writing of Louisiana novelist, James Lee Burke.  I enjoy reading, poetry and descriptive novels.  Sad to say not many writers today can give the reader a sense of place and how the environment affects the characters. Burke makes me see the south Louisiana coastal swamp with it changing moods. This painting depicts a view of the landscape with almost serene elements, but the colors warm and cold in conflict give the true feeling that something ominous approaches.



My painting table

Sometimes I have more paint on me and the floor than on the paper.  In the beginning I am just choosing colors and waiting to see what they will become.  Pictured Spring Wind (working title) in progress.


To see more of my artwork, visit my website.

Nature always with me

 Oglesby Pond ( on Camp Road), oil on canvas panel

 

Morning Reflections, Williams Creek, oil on canvas panel

 

I also like working directly from nature, plein air.  When I am there with the sound of water or buzzing of bees, I become a part of the place and nature accepts me.  Once a deer almost ran over me while I was painting and wild turkeys, some of the wariest of creatures, have walked within a few feet of me. I have learned so much from these experiences and these paintings are the kind of deep study that often finds its way into my more creative work. I have come to know trees and rocks and they are always with me waiting to be a part of the worlds I create from my inner vision.

 

 

A Chill Wind That Blows No Good, Water media

To see more of my work visit www.donnafmcgee.com

Great time with friends and fellow artists at art crawl last night.  Misty, Rebecca, Katherine, Emilia,  (not pictured) Catherine and Natalie  joined me Ouachita River Art Gallery.  I enjoyed showing you my work and introducing you to my other art friends. Hope we can do it again some time.

Summer Thoughts Continued

Celebration of the Dragonfly, Acrylic, 10 X 14 (Image)

To see more of Donna's artwork, visit her website.

This summer I have been spending a lot of time around my backyard meditating on life, insects, fish and other things.  One night I heard a noise and, when I looked to see what was there, I discovered a pair of tiny baby raccoons, like hump-backed kittens pouncing on leaves or insects (I never saw the mother).  A little green dragonfly that was not afraid of me behind the camera lens and let me approach until we were lens to face.  Butterflies and hummingbirds sipping from flowers.  A snake (ugh!), a tortoise or two that wandered through and several kinds of frogs.  

Summer Thoughts

 



Some People are Dragonflies, Acrylic, 10 X 14 inches ( Image)

 

 

Some are Just Frogs, Acrylic, 10 X14 inches (Image)

 

Paintings from backyard visitors.  To see more of Donna's artwork, visit her website.

 

Life is cyclical.  Some cycles are continuous; some are broken and start again. Dragonflies, butterflies, frogs experience different stages of life, metamorphosis or change as they mature.   One of the themes in my work is change, evolution or transformation.  Humans also change as they progress through life.  There is a lot of difference between the innocent baby, the adventurous or unruly teenager, the young adult, and the senior.  As babies we all are pretty much the same, but as we mature life and choices shape us until we are very different.  Some people become dragonflies, some butterflies, and some are just frogs.