by admin | Nov 10, 2023 |
When you take a public carriage tour on Mackinac Island, there is one point on the tour that you are dropped off at Surrey Hill, about 20 minutes from Main Street. Your smaller two horse carriage drops you off and you then board a larger wagon with a three horse hitch. These were the horses waiting for their next group. Their attention was fixed on something in the distance. I looked over and saw a woman with a dog so I think that’s what it was. You can tell from their expressions that they enjoy their job.
In this painting of three black horses, some may be surprised that I used no black on my pallet. In fact I had loads of fun with all sorts of colors in this painting.
48″ x 24″
Oil
For Sale $3,800
by admin | May 9, 2023 |
9” x 12” oil by Kristy McNelly
Harbor Morning at Mackinac Island
Fresh off the easel this morning is a small boat and shore scene from Mackinac Island. Our hotel room balcony on Mackinac Island overlooks the harbor and in the morning the sun rises over a chapel.
I find myself struggling to paint on smaller canvases and to try to keep shapes simplified. I recently took an online tutorial from artist Randall Sexton and that is helping. You know, like those little houses in the back can be just blotches of color and look at shapes not what they are.
Initially I had painted all of the modern boats and piers in the painting and it was so super busy it just looked a mess. I had the courage to paint over those boats and wipe off the paint even after spending a whole day on it. Then my husband Chuck suggested I put an old sailboat on the painting instead. Low and behold, I found one on google that was at the same island! So now it’s like a back in time painting. Not my best work, not an awesome horse that I’m comfortable painting, but something different that allows me to grow as an artist. Ahoy mate!
Original Available
Prints Available
by admin | May 8, 2023 |
My first painting completed in 2023! I’m focusing on staying loose while giving softness and details where it’s needed most. This draft horse was taking a break outside of a restaurant on Mackinac Island called the Yankee Rebel, where we were eating lunch. I took the photograph through the window from our table, hence the title. I’ll post my reference photo in the comments.
Oil painting by Kristy McNelly
Yankee Rebel
16” x 20”
Oil on stretched canvas
Original sold
Prints are Available
by admin | May 8, 2023 |
Oil painting by Kristy McNelly
9” x 12” on canvas panel
Metivier Inn Mackinac Island
While walking on Market Avenue one morning, the light cascaded through the garden gate of this Victorian Inn. It’s one of those places that you just want to linger on the porch with a cup of coffee before starting your day.
Original Available
Prints Available
by admin | May 8, 2023 |
One of my favorite places to paint is Mackinac Island, Michigan. This scene depicts visitors riding in a carriage pulled by a beautiful team of white horses up to the famous Grand Hotel. I added a vintage couple on the park bench in the back to make it seem like a scene form Somewhere in Time.
Artist: Kristy McNelly
Medium: Painting – Oil
Size 20″ x 16″
Original is Available
Prints are Available
