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

Monday, January 29, 2018

Guest artist - Mark Robbins and Kinetic Sculpture

I love kinetic sculpture. There is a Rube Goldberg like installation in the North Terminal of the NYC Port Authority Bus Station that I really enjoy. There are others scattered about the city
Here we have Mark Robbins of Doodle Chaos on Youtube  with video Rube Goldberg using marbles, dominoes and other items going to the tune of Tchaikovsky’s Waltz of the Flowers. There is also an animation of Hall of the Mountain King in this link,too Fun! Enjoy!

Monday, January 22, 2018

Got artist block? Try exercise!

We artistic types all face that dang creativity block at one time or another. It seems we try to push it mentally and little happens. Maybe a physical push will do, by which I mean get out from in front of that easel, pottery wheel, or whatever you place of art is and get walking in the park, bike, yoga, tai chi or some other form . Physical wandering can get you mind wandering into a new artistic place. I watch Chopped on the Food Network and many chefs are physically active in various ways, helping to relieve stress and get their creative juices going. Check out the post by one of my favorite art bloggers Lori McNee on the the link between exercise and creativity 
Good one.


Thursday, January 11, 2018

Artist Lori McNee on pricing your art

Deciding what price to put on the art you produce can be daunting. You put time and sweat and love into this project. It's your baby and and you'd love to send it out into the world to new home, but what price to charge for it?
Lori McNee is a very successful artist with a healthy sales record. She gives lectures, writes books and many other endeavors. Her advice can be found in this post How to price artwork for consistent sales success from her Fine Art Tips blog post.
We are looking for good compensation for our time and work and the buyer is looking for a good investment and something that will give them continual pleasure every time they see it.
If you are a newbie in selling, it requires a good sales pitch based on time and materials spent. Soon you can go by sales history and testimony from past buyers. There is also the element of what your competition is doing, too.
Check out her article and other great advice she has in her blog.
 
 

Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Art Quotes and cartoons

This a continuing series of art quote memes and cartoons I've come across. Hope they will encourage you and give you some good cheer in your artistic life





Blog update - paintings via Instagram

A change in how I display my paintings on this blog. The old format stopped working so anyone trying to see my paintings were blocked. I now have a link to my Instagram page with the hashtag #jackspaintings. Also displaying my Nantucket #artistoffack and Martha's Vineyard #artistoffmv. I will be working on my other categories of paintings.