Randi Mackey Art

12/27/2024

Here are the last two pet portraits commissions I did for Christmas presents. Ivy Sue on the left and Jax on the right. I was busy but had a really great time doing these in colored pencil.

12/27/2024

I’m so excited to be able to show this watercolor commission. It’s so special to me because it’s from our trip to Italy in 2018. Back story: I was going to go for a walk but I saw Rich’s father-in-law, Mike, out on the same trail from our villa, but I stopped not wanting to interrupt his private time. Then I snapped the photo thinking I would give it to Laurie, his wife. Six years later I used it for the reference. The next year he went on to his eternal life and everything changed for Laurie. (His ‘backpack’ is actually oxygen.) I had forgotten about the photo until I was looking for landscapes to play with. I painted just the landscape and shared with my family as I usually do. Our son, Rich, asked me to paint it again with Mike in the photo. So here it is. Rich chose the perfect frame and mat. He gave it to Laurie for Christmas and it was an emotional high (with a few tears from the family). These are the commissions I love to do; the ones with a story. Painting this was so much better than just giving her the photo.

10/24/2024

I finished my Rembrandt, Shichon, in colored pencil on Clairefontaine white pastelmat 10x8”. I can’t even begin to count how many layers that white for took.
I used Faber Castel Polychromos colored pencils, Derwent white & black drawing pencils, Prismacolors white pencil, electric erasers and the Slice tool.
If you are interested in having a commission of your pet check out my Pet Portrait album here under photos to see my completed commissions. Then PM me. There is still time to get something finished for Christmas. I also have a heart for those special pets who have crossed the rainbow bridge.

10/24/2024

10/08/2024

I’ve been told I need to work up my own dog. This is 10x8 on Clairefontaine pastelmat with Faber Castel Polychromos pencils. Since I’m between commissions right now I decided it’s a good time to start him. No pressure and he can be set aside anytime. I’m going to love bringing out all the colors in his black and white fur.

10/01/2024

A very special commission.

09/26/2024

09/15/2024

Just sitting on my deck in the soft light and working on a few transparent flowers as my next watercolor adventure. On to another one next week with my own reference this time. I have a plethora of flower references.
Red Poppy
Pixabay free reference
Daniel Smith watercolor arches 140 lb hot pressed paper
7x7”

08/31/2024

This is still a WIP but coming to the finish line. Cynthia Knox zoom workshop. Cynthia’s original design. Duralar matte drafting film, FC polychromo colored pencils, white prismacolor, black stabile, Caran D’Ache Neo oil pastels (background) approx 10x8”. It is a lot of work but I’ll definitely pull out one of my own from my plethora of butterfly photos to create my own. I have learned so much with this project about this substrate. Next is to try it on better matte drafting film which came last week. Always more to learn and I love it! Thank you Cynthia!

08/27/2024

Update on the Cynthia Knox workshop. I’m on to finishing this under her written instructions. Still several hours to go but I’m enjoying the Duralar Grsgix drafting film, polychromo colored pencils and a few other tools. Stay tuned and you might even hear the whir of my electric pencil sharpener! It’s getting quite a workout.

08/17/2024

Zoom workshop with Cynthia Knox! 6 hours of steady work on this. Stay tuned for the final project when I’ve rested a bit.
Cynthia Knox original design
Polychromos, stabile black, white Prismacolor. 8x10”, Duralar drafting film by Grafix. Not the same quality as Grafix drafting film by the sheet.

08/12/2024

I’m trying a small colored pencil work on matte drafting film. I’m totally new to this substrate so it’s definitely a challenge, but I like the feel of the pencils as I lay down the color. This weekend I take a zoom class with Cynthia Knox using drafting film on front and back sides so this should improve after that. My own reference, Caron DAche Pablo colored pencils, DuraLar matte drafting film, 5 x 7”.

08/10/2024

I have struggled with using colored pencil on black paper for a long time. Then I took a zoom class with Lisa Ann Watkins from England. And this is the result I got following her demo and instructions. I’ll be using my colored pencils on black paper more often now.

06/11/2024

UPDATE: both of these were accepted into the Iowa Watercolor Society annual member show. Thank you, juror, Betty Carr, and all the volunteers who make these shows so great. It is an honor to have my work chosen.

My latest watercolors. It feels so good to spend days in a row with a paint brush in my hand. It’s true. Painting every day makes me happy.
Feeling Pink (crab apple blossom) taken my last year at Dept of Human Services, Sioux City, Ia and Spanish Village at Balboa Park, San Diego, CA. My favorite vacations were going to see our son and his husband in San Diego and visiting the artists at Spanish Village in Balboa Park every year.
My own references, Daniel Smith professional watercolors, arches 300 lb watercolor paper.
Feeling Pink 11x14”;
Spanish Village 15x21”.

05/23/2024

This was a fun project in preparation to teach an advanced beginner/ intermediate portrait colored pencil class this Fall for Life Long Learning at WIT in Sioux City.
8x10”
“Hannah”
Strathmore 400 series colored pencil paper.
Prismacolor colored pencils.
Her Mom’s photo reference with permission.