Melinda Holland Photography

Update: More photos added June 30, 2010

Two weeks ago I spent an inspiring Sunday with artist Shona Macomber. Her paintings and illustrations are absolutely beautiful. Although Shona is skilled in both acrylic and watercolor, I’ve always been a fan of watercolor for it’s fresh and unpredictable ways. I once took a course in watercolor and, well, let’s just say I’m quite terrible at it! My mind just doesn’t think the way you have to think when painting with watercolors. It’s an unforgiving medium so I am in awe whenever I see a well-done, professional grade watercolor painting. Which is what you get when Shona paints her lovely, timeless, idyllic and whimsical scenes. Peruse her site here and, while you’re at it, go ahead and buy a couple paintings! More photos to come from my day spent with Shona!

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Filled with color and whimsy, Shona’s studio & home refreshes, recharges and inspires me whenever I have the opportunity to stop by. Her kitchen is full of bright, happy-colored tiles (though I didn’t photograph the tiles…this time.) There are mementos all over and I can’t say enough about what a lovely oasis she’s created!

Let’s start with a shot of her studio, then I’ll take you outside with a few shots of her working on a new painting.

Below: Shona working outside on a brand new, mixed media piece. Busy mom that she is, the left photo depicts her painting while on the phone. Keep your eye on the piece sitting on the ground in the middle photo. I’ll soon get to a shot of the finished piece.

Call me a crazed, artsy-farsty person…but I was completely enchanted with all the colorful tissue paper blowing in the breeze. If I weren’t so busy shooting, I would’ve purposely strewn that paper all over the yard just to see the colors fluttering around. “Dance, papers, DANCE! Be free!”

Above: Laying the groundwork for what will be a beautiful, textured bottom layer to the painting. By the way…if I can help it, I try not to shoot in speckled lighting conditions such as the one you see above. But, in this case, I couldn’t help it. So…there you have it.

I came back a few weeks later and snapped a photo of the final painting as it sat on Shona’s easel in all of it’s textured detail and glory. I highly recommend someone buy this painting. Immediately. It’s absolutely gorgeous. One sidenote though…since I wasn’t expecting to see the finished piece and this photo is just a quick snapshot, I can’t be sure that the colors are accurate as viewed here on my blog. You’ll just have to go into La Petite Maison in Jamestown, CA where the painting is displayed to view it for yourself–and then buy it. Or, go to Shona’s site and contact Shona directly.

The texture on this painting is so delicious I just don’t know what to do with myself! Those folds are amazing! I just want to eat them up! I am such a sucker for texture and mixed media! I definitely lean toward abstract, loosely painted pieces. Gorgeous!

Now let’s go inside and take a look around while Shona looks for some inspiration at her easel in the studio.

The following photo is one of my favorites. I love the little brown plush dog and the blue room peeking out from beyond the doorway.

My other favorite… The arched opening from the studio to the kitchen. Look at all the colorful fun stuff she has on the walls!

Beautiful dried flowers on the fireplace mantel. Isn’t that yellow-white checked container cute? And look at those bunnies leaping across the front of the mantle! Love that aged, antique paint look. See what I mean when I say Shona’s place is whimsical and inspiring?!

These happy chicks on the windowsill make me smile.

This unfinished watercolor with the little boy really captivates me. I’d buy it unfinished, actually, since it leaves much to the imagination of what it could be.…and…just a few more samples of Shona’s work and I’ll wrap up this particular artistic journey.Such beautiful work Shona! Thank you for sharing your creativity with me.