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

Friday, February 26, 2016

New painting: Vineyard Haven Harbor Snowstorm

This is another painting from the Vineyard Colors FB page.
He encourage artists to use his photos to paint with and will post them on the site if you email them to him. This is of  a snow storm in Vineyard haven Harbor on Martha's Vineyard. As usual, you can purchase mugs or bags from Zazzle
 

Thursday, February 25, 2016

artist spotlight - Van Gogh's paintings animated by Luca Agnani Studios

 Very Cool. There seems to be a lot of people animating art these days. First one I saw was of Starry Nights. Here are the paintings of Van Gogh animated by luca agnani studio that someone posted on my FB page. They found it on the Bright Side FB page. Very cool!

Sunday, February 21, 2016

Sold my Pe-dawn Vineyard Haven Fishing Dock painting!

So, I had just finished my last painting - Pre-dawn Vineyard Haven Fishing Dock and started posting it on my usual Social Media sites and merchandise sites. I get done and not more than an hour after    I started a friend from Redeemer posts he wants to buy it. Eric Sieward and I have talked at a few times about my paintings and has paintings from his other artist  friends. He's been waiting for one of mine strike him just right. This one did. Tonight at Redeemer we made the exchange. He will be sending me a picture of how he framed it and where it's hung (hopefully not in the back of a closet.)
So here is one of my children getting sent out into the world and its new owner
I painted this using a photo I found on the Vineyard Colors FB page. They encourage artists to paint their photos. Email a photo of the painting and they will post it on their page  Check it ot

Friday, February 19, 2016

New York's Met Museum Logo Problems

Museums, like any other business, are into branding and their logo is a big part of that. The Metropolitan Museum of Art has decided to change its logo. Since 1970  the Logo was this

but now they've chosen to go with this
and it's unleashed a huge controversy


I have person experience with the problems this might cause. I have no problem with the new one stylistically. The Metropolitan Opera in Lincoln Center may have issues, since both are called The Met. I worked at the museum in the IT department 1990 to 2010. My supervisor was named Judah Levine and he got a package addressed J Levine, The Met, New York , USA. It was an opera score for James Levine at The Met Opera from Vienna and the post office decided to send it to the museum. Confusion is possible.

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

New Painting - Pre-dawn Vineyard Haven Docks

This is another painting I've done using photos from the Vineyard Colors FB page. Loved the feel of the original picture , so I painted it. This is a scene from a fishing dock in Vineyard Haven , Martha's Vineyard across from the ferry dock. Here's the painting. and, as usual ou cane purchase a bag
or mug from Zazzle

and here's the original photo

Thursday, February 11, 2016

I painted one of Vineyard Colors photos and they posted it!

Martha's Vineyard is a favorite place of mine, as I've stated before. I've painted a few of my pictures, but to get some more interesting shots, I turn to Facebook and other social media. I make sure I get permission before I do so. The Vineyard Colors FB page posts pictures and has given blanket permission to all artists to  paint them. I have done two. This one. Oaks Bluff Gazebo at Sunrise I  posted previously when I finished it. Here is the link to Vineyard Colors
reposting of that painting along with the picture I used. The picture that ends up there gets brightened in  the process. but any notice is good notice.