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

Saturday, June 27, 2015

Currently on my easel - Christmas Cove Lobster Dock

I chack out my friend's pictures on FB to find good painting subjects. My friend Rich Rose and his family have a place on Christmas Cove in Maine. His daughter took the great picture of a lobster boat dock and I'm painting it. Started like this

then went to this





This is where I am now. Stay tuned

Sunday, June 21, 2015

FBH Summer Art Gallery 1st Exhibit

Today was the opening day of the First Baptist Hackensack Summer Art Gallery, which I curate.

I posted this "press release" on the church's FB and Twitter pages
Press release
From: Office of The Curator
Subject: 2015 Summer Art Gallery opening
For: Immediate release
The Curator is pleased to annonce the first exhibition in the FBH Summer Art Gallery, a venue for the display of the many artistic talents of the members of FBH. Current exhibitors
Shirley Morales - Crocheted Wreaths
Jack Mckenzie - Landscape Style Painting
If you would like your talents to be displayed, please contact The Curator at jackmck@juno.com

Here are the pictures







Thursday, June 18, 2015

New painting. Taftsville Covered Bridge- Vermont 2016.

I've painted the Taftsville Covered Bridge a number of times. In fact, my first painting that looked like anything was of this bridge from a similar angle (this is it)

As I got better, I'v wanted to go back to this one. I found a picture on FB that was what I was looking for. I'm not happy with the reflections in this one or the background trees, for that matter. Finally decided it was done. I was going to put more definition into the foreground tree, but decided it made the bridge standout better by leaving them in the dark.
I should note that between the two paintings, the bridge was almost destroyed by Hurricane Irene in 2011 (which destroyed the Bartonsville Bridge)) the bridge was dismantled and reassembled  and re-opened in 2012 So here it is


Thursday, June 11, 2015

First Baptist Summer Art Gallery (SAG) sign

If your gonna have something like the SAG, you have to have an eye catching sign/logo to go with it. It had been a laminated black and whie sign that was 8 inches wide and stretched across the top of the approximately 15 long board where the art would hang. I came up with something that I hope will do the be a little more attractive It will sit in the middle of the board with the exhibits surrounding it. I put images of as many kind of media as I could, without it looking too crowded. I you paint, thake photos, crochet, sew, whatever you do that that I can hang or pictures of the items it too delcate, than you are wecome to join.There will also be a smaller sign which says "Your Art Here", which I hope will encourage more people to sign up.
I think it will do!
v

Monday, June 8, 2015

I'm curating my church's 3rd annual Summer Art Gallery

Two years ago, I instituted the First Baptist Hackensack Summer Art Gallery. My church's school has been displaying th art class's student art on the main board in the gym entrance way, so I decided to start summer art gallery for the members of the church to display thier talents, once the school lets out for the summer. It has been rather successful.  I've included poetry, crocheting, architecural drawings, photography and any other visual, hangeable product no matter how old or young, whatever talent level. We've had as young as 8 and as old as 93. So now its time to begin the third one.

I post "press releases" in the church's weekly bulletin, on its web-page and FB age announcing that its coming up and issuing a call for artists to enter. It opens Father's Day. Pictures to come.

Press release
From: Office of The Curator
Subject: First Exhibitions for the 2015 Summer Art Gallery
For: Immediate release
The Curator is please to anounce the participants in the first exhibition of the 2015 Summer Art Gallery oprninh on Fathers Day, June 20th
The Art of Jack Mckenzie - The paintings he has finished in the past year
The Crocheted Wreaths of Shirley Morales - She will be displaying 16in wreaths depiciting the seasons, Christmas and a patriotic theme
We are looking for more artistcally talented people to display what they can do. Young or old, seasoned or just beginning.