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

Sunday, July 19, 2015

FBH Summer Art Gallery 2015 2nd exhibition

This is the second exhibition in this year's Summer Art Gallery, which I curate at my church. I posted this "press release" in the church's bulletin, FB and Twitter pages. I will also post this on Instagram.

Press release
From: Office of The Curator
Subject: 2015 Summer Art Gallery 2nd exhibition
For: Immediate release
The Curator is pleased to announce the second exhibition in the FBH Summer Art Gallery, a venue for the display of the many artistic talents of the members of FBH. Current exhibitors:
The Needle work of Carolyn Onisk
Carolyn has been doing needle work for over 30 years. She has been a member here for many years and has always enjoyed creating with her hands.
The Art of Olivia Grace Feliciano
We have several works by Olivia. She is an eight year old who is trying to find her artistic voice.





Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Guest artist: Don Dixon sees Pluto before New Horizons did

Artists are visionaries. Just check out any Jetsons cartoon and many things there are here today. Some technically inclined artists can take technical data and translate the unseen into a surpisingly accurate paint. Space artist Don Dixon did this with Pluto as the cover picture for a 1979 book on Pluto. Check out the Article from Slate and the comparison photo below.

Friday, July 10, 2015

New Paintingl: Surf City NC Sunrise II

I like sunrises and sunsets. This is one from a photo on the Town of Surf City FB page. 11 x 14 oil on canvas board. I call it the second, 'cause I did a previous one, but it seems I did not post it. It's part f the display at the Summer Art Gallery I've been curating at my church, so when I get it back I will post it. As usual you can buy a Bag or a Mug from Zazzle

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Cool video - Starry Night in dominoes by FlippyCat

Love this video. Dominoes are used in many artistic endevours and this is the best one I've seen so far. Domino art is the same as Mandala art: a lot of work goes into it, then its enjoyed and gone (at least physically)  forever. This shows the process that the artist known as FlippyCat used  and gives a great pay out. So here it is Starry Nights by Vincent Van Domino


Wednesday, July 1, 2015

New painting - Christmas Cove Lobster Dock - Maine

I love the coast of Maine, especially the lower half between the New Hampshire border and Camden. So many slender peninsulas reaching out into the Atlantic with   a lot of bridge connected islands. Here are where many of the family run fishing enterprises are located, little villages and processing facilites with common, shared docks. So many photo and painting opportunities.
A friend Rich Rose has a family property in the village of Christmas Cove, which is a part of South Bristol, Maine He and his family live in Norfolk, Virgina but head to Christmas Cove as often a possible. This painting is from a photo his daughter Sharyn took a few weeks ago.
Its 11 x 14 oil on canvas board. You can purchase merchandise based on this painting from Fine Art America or Mugs and bags from Zazzle