About Me

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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

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.

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