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, October 26, 2020

Pandemic art mask parodies

 The Covid-19/Corona virus pandemic  of 2020 has a wide impact everywhere, particularly in the idea of  wearing face masks to mitigate the disease. There are a number of classic artwork parodies using this theme and a very popular ones are Mona Lisa, The Desperate Man and others. Here are a few 










Wednesday, October 21, 2020

Pandemic safety explained using art works

 2020 has been a stressful year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Hand washing, masks, no contact, etc are the order of the day. Someone posted these modified artworks with what to do.









Tuesday, October 20, 2020

New Painting - Boothbay Harbor - Maine

 I'm catching up on my new painting posts.

My brother and his family live in Maine, so I've done quite a few paintings. This is a foggy day in Boothbay Harbor. The McFarland Lighthouse is in the background. The grayness is relieved by the red fishing shack. I've gotten a lot of good comments on this picture. As usual, check out Pixels.com for mugs, bags, face masks and other items based on this image 

I'm including my paint progress pictures. 






New Paintings - Willard Covered Bridge - Vermont

 I'm catching up on my new painting posts

Covered bridges are another favorite subject. I saw this picture on the Vermont for Vermonters page on Facebook. I've down several other pictures from this page. It was a Summer picture but I made it a fall picture. As ususal, check out pixels.com   for mugs, bags, face masks and other items based on this painting 


I take pictures for the progress of each painting to see what is not apparent by sight.









New painting - Brant Point Lighthouse Sunset

 I'm catching up on my new painting posts.

This is another view of one of my favorite subjects - the Brant Point Lighthouse on Nantucket. This one is a sunset. The original picture had a Tall Ship coming in, but I decided to leave it out. Check out Pixels.com  for mugs and bags and other items with this image on it 

I take progress picture when I paint








New Painting - Wood's Hole Houseboats


 I'm catching up with my posts

Everytime my friends and I take the ferry to Martha's Vineyard for our annual biking weekend from Woods Hole, we pass this collection of floating buildings in Woods Hole harbor. I always thought is was floating fishing sheds, but it is a bunch of houseboats that spend the summer here. Odd looking houseboats, but interesting none the less.

New painting - Cape Forschu Lighthouse Sunset

I have been lax in keeping up with this blog, so I'm posting each individual painting.

 One of my favorite light houses is the Cape Forschu Lighthouse in Yarmouth Nova Scotia. Found this rather dramatic picture on it's Facebook page. 

Purchase  items from this picture on Pixels.com including face masks.