Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Happy 2020 to You!

"Girls Just Wanna Paint" will publish our December Challenge on Thursday, January 2.
Thank you for visiting our blog, we appreciate you.
Happy New Year's Eve to everyone and all the best for 2020.
(Painting by Jody Regan)

Sunday, December 1, 2019

November 2019 challenge: "Vintage"

 Happy Black Friday!  These paintings are all available, unless marked otherwise, and you couldn't do better than to present one of these as a present this holiday season! Contact the Artist for details!

"Swish" Oil, 12x12 inches by Pamela Copeman
I grew up in Western MA where it was very cold in the winter.  The town would flood the high school football field for skating. My sisters and I would take turns using these old skates.  I remember loving to go fast and hear the swish on the blades on the ice.  What a memory~
Pamela@PamelaCopeman.com


"Blue Bug", 16x20 Acrylic by Kelley MacDonald
When Paula and I go to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, we see all kinds of old cars, but this was my favorite.  Probably because my husband (then boyfriend) had one and I have such happy memories of our little trips to the beach in it.  
kcareymac@hotmail.com


"Unchanging" 8x16 oil by Jeanne MacFarland
This barn has been a constant presence on the Cohasset landscape, marking season after season


 "A ghost of Christmas Past" 4" x 6" Acrylic by Victoria Chesley Justice
A very old and rather dour German glass ornament, I actually sweetened his expression just a little.

 "1st Place" 5"X 8" Pastel by Margaret Farrell Bruno
My husbands vintage carved pinewood derby car, (yes, he won 1st place as a child). 
The light was hitting hit it just right calling for it to be painted.


"Radio Days" acrylic by Sally Dean


"Fascinated" 8"x8" acrylic by Paula Villanova



"Jam Jar" oil 8x8 by Jody Regan
Love this silver pitcher and silver topped jam jar.

"Vintage Pin Cushion" 4x4 oil on panel by Mary Sheehan WinnLove this little relic from my mama's sewing days. 










Friday, November 1, 2019

October 2019 Challenge: "October Skies"

"October Pit Stop" by Paula Villanova Acrylic

Longfellow in October 16 x 12 oil by Jody Regan
I love the Charles River as it wends through Boston.  The Longfellow Bridge sparkles in the fall afternoon, framed by the Storrow Drive footbridge.


Serene Sunset by Pamela Copeman Oil on Panel
12"x12"
I am always drawn to a view outside a window. When I was a young girl, my parents never entertained and one night the neighbors across the street had a big party. I sat at my window and loved observing the laughter, the dresses and the love. Mrs. Holt came to close her shutters and caught me peeking, she waved to me and left the shutters open so I could see what a party was all about.
This is an image from one of my collectors and I adore this Room  with  View.


"Looking Up", 5x5 inch Gouache on Paper by Kelley MacDonald
Someday I'm going to trip and break something on my morning walks with Paco.  Our path is beneath city trees which grace us with brilliant color - thank you to those who choose them - orange, yellow, red, gold, bright green, the start contrast with the October blue skies hold me in a thrall. 




"Rocktober", 10x10" Acrylic by Page Railsback


"Early October" 6x12 oil by Jeanne MacFarland



"Moon Rising" 18"x24" oil painting by Margaret Farrell Bruno
In October, the beaches become a quiet place. Often at the end of the day, they become peaceful and calm. A perfect time for the moon to gently rise. 



Grey Start to October  8"x8" oil


October Mist 16"x20" acrylic by Victoria Chesley Brega There is an enchanting mist that rises off the lake in the early mornings of fall; Water still warm and the air is cool. I experimented with stumbling layers of glaze.


Desert Sky" 4x4 inches Watercolor and ink, by Mary Sheehan Winn
Done from my trip to Hoover Dam and Lake Mead.  




Thursday, October 3, 2019

Open Studio

Page Railsback

Open Studio Oct 13   3-6 
86 Mount Warner Rd Hadley MA






Tuesday, October 1, 2019

September 2019 Challenge: "Forest"

"Backyard Forest" 14"x14" acrylic by Paula Villanova
When you have photos taken in forests just about everywhere but it's a beautiful late summer day and  you decide to paint plein-air in your backyard.

"Uncle Timmy's Forest" 6x8 inches by Kelley MacDonald
This is a plein air piece done in Wellfleet, MA in the beautiful month of September, and while I don't know if it is a 'forest', it is more of a forest than I will find in Providence, RI!


Jacob's Pond Trail 12"x12" acrylic and oil on canvas by Sally Dean
I love the woods, the magic and mystery within.


I long to live with pink trees that glitter ~ oil paint and copper gild  18" x 24" by Pamela Copeman



 "Bare Trees" 9 x 11 pastel on ink by Jody Regan
I am fascinated by these tree patterns against the night sky.


"Cool Forest", 10x8 inches by Page Railsback

"Fundy Shore Forest" 6"x12" watercolor


                  "Forest Edge" 9"X12" Acrylic (Work In Progress) by Victoria Chesley Brega 



"Filtered Light, Muir Woods" Conté drawing by Margaret Farrell Bruno
Muir Woods is amazing on it's own. The time of day I was there was even more special as the light streamed through the trees.


"Life More Abundant, Forest Hills" wip pencil by Jeanne Macfarland

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Wonderful Show at Duxbury Free Library Featuring Mary Sheehan Winn


Through October 31, Mary Sheehan Winn has a show at the Duxbury Free Library.  This is a sample of what is hanging.  Please visit, you will not be disappointed!

Sunday, September 1, 2019

August 2019: Challenge: "What's On My Mind"


This month, as a summer present to our group (in gratitude for 10 lovely years together) our topic is WHATEVER we are thinking about, or painting.  

"Distance", 20x10 inch, Acrylic by Kelley MacDonald
I am thinking about visual distance, how things get bluer in the distance... and also physical distance... of loved ones, of places we love... in which the blues are really 'blues'.


"Winnie" Acrylic and Oil on panel by Sally Dean
Our sweet and ferocious girl Winnie passed on August 9, at 13 1/2. She was such a wonderful companion, and we miss her so much. She is on my mind all the time. I've entered this into the Trekell Art Supplies pet portrait competition, they sent me this interesting hexagonal panel for pet portraits. Winner gets $1000 in art supplies. Man could I use that!



'Vacationland" work in progress, gouache by Jeanne MacFarland.  Maine is on my mind as it's home to 3 precious grandchildren of mine. 


"Just Too Much" (WIP) 14"x14" Acrylic by Paula Villanova
The world is in such a tough place right now. Gun violence, injustice, potential environmental catastrophes, outward disrespect, I could go on. Somedays it just feels like too much. But I know we can fix things.


"Last Light" by Jody Regan.  Ink on gouache.  I feel the days getting shorter; school has begun, and my time is less my own.  I am trying to remember to find time each day to revel in the beauty of our world and to level myself to contribute, even in a small way, to appeasing the tumult we find ourselves in today. 



Abundance and Gratitude
This summer has been a little bit of heaven on earth for me. My daughter, and her family, and my son have come home. It has brought incredible joy into my heart. I find my self overwhelmed with gratitude for this new everyday life.
When I painted this overflowing vase of zinnias, I counted my blessings as I counted the fleurs in this bouquet.
Watercolor ~ Pamela Copeman


"Lavender Farm" 9"X12" Oil by Margaret Farrell Bruno
Summers seem to go so fast. This was a Plein air from what seems so long ago, but was the near the beginning of summer. A grayish day at a Lavender Farm down the Cape. But all was still beautiful and fun. Of course the scents were amazing. 



"Lift Off" 5"X7" Acrylic by Victoria Chesley Brega
Gratefully launching off to my own little place after the lengthy business of settling my folks estate...


"Ferris Wheel' 12x12 oil on panel by Mary Sheehan Winn
Summer in New England is, sadly, a very short season.
It seems to go from lilacs to 4th of July, to August's end, the Marshfield Fair.
I love the sparkle of lights against the dark sky.


Thursday, August 1, 2019

July 2019 Challenge: "Coastal"

Suggested by Jean MacFarland, this month we are posting an interpretation of 'Coastal'


"Haze", WIP, 30x30 Acrylic on Canvas by Kelley MacDonald
I wanted to do a non-representational painting because I have painted the coast of New England a hundred times.  Still working on it but I like the big blocks of variations on blue and gray.

"Overlook" by Jody Regan. One of my favorite places on the planet is Monhegan Island, ME. This is a view from above the village on Horn Hill, of the western coast of the island with the 10-mile distant coast of Maine along the horizon. 


"In theWeeds" by Paula Villanova 
A dinghy sits in the marsh grass at low tide. A heart formation rests in the yard in the foreground and has survived many high tides.

Gott's Island , Maine, WIP by Sally Dean Mello
Great Gotts  is a wonderful tiny island off the Acadia coast. It's extremely quiet, no cars, and very few people. My husband and I have friends here who let us stay in their cottage. We go every summer. I hiked with my gear to paint in this beautiful peaceful meadow on two gorgeous consecutive mornings.. The morning fog was clinging to the distant shore.It was so pretty I almost couldnt t stand it!
It was pretty hot in the field but the cool dark mossy woods were right there for relief. I took a break and  picked blueberries and made a pie that night. Yum.
16"x 20" acrylic on canvas

"Waves at Coastguard Beach" 6x6 oil on panel by Mary Sheehan Winn

Coastguard Beach is a beautiful stretch of beach in Eastham. High dunes slope down toward the water. Lots of surf on this late summer day last September.

"View from Damon's Point" 8"x10" oil on panel by Margaret Farrell Bruno
Morning calm on the North River on a very hot summer day Plein Air painting. The water was very pretty and fairly calm and I knew the light, winds and tidal height would change quickly as I progressed, so focussed on that area first as it was key to my composition.


"Perfect Peace" 6X12 oil on panel by Jeanne MacFarland

This was painted plein aire at my favorite spot called the cove in the coastal town of Duxbury.



Take Me Away by Pamela Copeman
I painted this boat with Safari Painters (Kelley MacDonald and Paula Villanova) in Hingham, at first glance I didn't care for it, but once I brought it home I began to fall in love with it...there is something very peaceful about it~ 12"x24" Oil



Victoria Chesley Brega “Coastal Vessels” Acrylic  9”x12”
Rafted working boats near Hull Gut

March 2024 Challenge: "Space"

"Space And Time" 16x16 inches, mixed media on gallery wrapped canvas by Kelley Carey MacDonald This one has lots and lots of layer...