About Me

My photo
Paramus, New Jersey, United States
No, this in not a blog about gardening in any way, but a journal of my journey to become a professional landscape painting artist. For years, I’ve given my paintings as wedding gifts without thinking of profiting in some way from it. I worked for 18 years at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC as a computer programmer. I have been a painter since 1990, coincidentally, when I started working at the Met. I watched Bob Ross do his thing on Channel 13 in New York and decided I could do this, too. I have no formal training. I incorporate Bob's wet-on-wet technique for sky and water. My subject matter is covered bridges, lighthouses, fishing village scenes, barns, etc. Maine, Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, Nova Scotia and Spain are some of the places I have painted. My style is detailed and sometimes people think a photo of the painting is an actual photo of the scene. I hope to continue and grow in this medium. I also like to cook & dance. I am also a committed Christian. I am taking commissions - painting your landscapes style photos or your vacation home. Prices on request. contact me - Jackmck@juno.com my website is www.artofjackmckenzie.com

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

New painting: Star of the Sea Youth Hostel - Nantucket.

For the past few Septembers, by friends and I have gone to Nantucket, an  island off the New England coast, to stay at this hostel and bike around the island. Nantucket is a beautiful place. Google it.
The hostel used to be a life saving station a few yard from the beach, but the shifting sands of Nantucket soon moved the beach a half a mile away. Its usefulness came to an end. It eventually ended up as a hostel. Along with the one on Martha's Vineyard, it is considered one of the best in the system. The past few times it was run by a women who lives in either New Mexico or Arizona. Nice gig!
This is an 11 x 14 oil on canvas board.

Monday, July 14, 2014

I am an artist

Came across a couple of FB postings under the heading "I am an artist". Thought I'd share them
This one is from ABSTRACTSbySabina
 not sure where this one came from

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Exhibit #2 of the First Baptist Summer Art Gallery 2014

Today I put up the 2nd exhibit of the my church's Summer Art  Gallery. I posted the following "press release"  on the church's FB and Twitter pages.

Press Release
Subject: 2nd annual First Baptist Summer Art Gallery exhibit #2
For: Immediate release
From the office of the Curator
...
The Curator is pleased to announce the opening of Exhibit # 2 of The First Baptist Summer Art Gallery in the hallway of the Leach Memorial Auditorium. We are presenting 2 of the congregation's artists
Art Works by Roly
Roly Medois is one our song worship leaders. His art work comes in several forms - drawing, painting and photography. Our favorite shows the church surrounded by various musical forms

The Art of Bev Orwig
Bev is a long time member of the church. Her daughter is married to one of our missionaries, John Mitchell. We have here a selection of works in various forms - painting, pastel and crossstitch

Future exhibitors (other than me) have yet to come forward. This is open to young and old on all levels. One hope is we can encourage the young artist to continue their efforts.





 

Monday, July 7, 2014

Interesting Things - Art trail developed for work of Maine artist Bernard Langlais

There are certain artists who dream big and set out to accomplish that dream. My exposure to that was via the artist Christos. His massive project in New York's Central Park called The Gates set NY buzzing. Thousands of 10 foot high structures along the paths of Central park with orange material hanging down from them was a wonder to behold. Some loved it some hated it. Other artists have done this. Sometimes its done for an artist after they are gone. This is what is happened for Maine Artist Benard Landlais
 
Thousands of pieces of the art of Maine Artist Benard Landlais, who died in 1977, are being distributing thousands of artworks in more than 50 sites. His wife died later and donated everything to the Colby College Museum of Art in Waterville. The museum's director,  Sharon Corwin, developed the plan. Check out the link above. Below is a piece called Local Girl.
 

 

Sunday, July 6, 2014

somehow missed this - Pearl Art Supply closed

I don't know how I missed this sad event, but Pearl Art Supply closed over 2 months ago! They were and an East Coast chain and the one I always went to when I was just starting as an artist to pickup my Bob Ross paints and canvas boards and other supplies. The one in Paramus moved and never quite recovered. Blick Art Supply opened up and drew away a lot of business, as did Michaels and Joanns. Last time I went to Pearl, all the artistic energy seemed to have ebbed.
The flagship store was on Canal Street in Tribeca on New York's lower west side. It was 5 stories of art supply heaven. ANYTHING you wanted was there. It has left a big hole in the NY artistic scene despite its recent decline and here's an article with several artist talking about Pearl. Artists on Pearl closing.  In another article. One person's comment about the being there for the final sales "It's like you're going through your dying grandmother's house," he added upon exiting. "This is heartbreaking."  pearl paint shutters . I went there a few times and it was a giddy treasure house.

Well. we still have  Blicks , Joann's and Michaels. Live moves on. But Pearls was my first art store and the first of anything always has a place in your heart, sort of like when you are a Doctor Who fan, the 1st incarnation of The Doctor you watch is the standard you hold those following him.