Stone Sparrow NYC | 11/18-12/24 | New York, NY

Birds of Paradise

Step into the magic of Carolynda Macdonald’s lavish bird paintings.

Painter Carolynda Macdonald, who lives and works alongside her husband in a small seaside town on the east coast of Scotland, will be participating in a unique show with Stone Sparrow NYC titled Parallel Universe. The exhibition, beginning November 18 and running through December 24, will include three other small solo shows for Macdonald’s husband Alan Macdonald, Josh Lawyer and MJ Lindo-Lawyer.

“Macdonald paints bird studies,” explains Marina Eliasi, Stone Sparrow gallery owner and curator, “but her birds aren’t just birds. They’re magical canvases for tapestries, fine china patterns or details of Old Masters’ paintings. Each of her characters reside in imaginary landscapes with faraway castles, mists, rivers to tropical lands and many of them have props with hidden symbolism in the foreground. I always look forward to new work from her hand.”Lagoon, oil on board, 13 x 12"

Before she began painting professionally, Macdonald spent many years practicing life drawing and printmaking. Her early works were still lifes, such as flowers in vases, fruit and jewels, watches and compasses, but soon graduated to “animating paintings with living creatures,” says Macdonald.

She’s painted different animals, but birds have been the focus in her recent work. “It may have something to do with experiencing the thrill of a wild bird landing on my outstretched hand as a small girl that has never left me,” explains Macdonald. “Landscapes are backdrops to these still lifes and have become integral to my work, usually remote and quiet places I would like to step into.”

The way that Macdonald paints is a matter of self-expression, and many have described her style and technique as detailed, colorful and enigmatic. She strives for painterly detail, often letting the paint do the work, and “consciously stops short of hyperrealism,” she furthers. “For me, the energy of the brushwork and the emotions I may be feeling at the time can imbue the work. This in turn can be picked up by the viewer and evoke in them an emotional response.”Spirit in an Ethereal World, oil on linen, 33 x 36"

While Macdonald continues to paint new pieces for the show, embellishing birds with some of her favorite classic paintings is a relatively new development. “I have a work on the easel right now where the tower is comprised of metallic bowls with the illusion of being embossed with details from the Old Masters including Titian and [Paolo] Veronese,” Macdonald says. “The birds are waiting in the wings and I can’t wait to see how they will turn out as this is a new and exciting breakthrough for me!”The Nemophilist, oil on board, 22 x 20"

There is a strong theatrical theme to Macdonalds work, such as in Spirit in an Ethereal World, depicting a colorful bird surrounded by a lavish scene of fruits and jewels. “A stage is set for the birds, and the landscapes serve as a tranquil backdrop,” she says. “I try to present them in a way where the onlooker feels invited into a quiet place to explore and enjoy magical creatures in their natural domain.”

Find a place of solace during these challenging times by dropping into to Stone Sparrow NYC to see Macdonald’s otherworldly creations.

Stone Sparrow NYC
45 Greenwich Avenue • New York, NY 10014 •
(646) 449-8004 • www.stonesparrownyc.com