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

Tuesday, August 24, 2021

new painting: COTW - Requiem for the Lyre/Trinity Tree

 There is a Christian Family Camp in the Adirondacks called Camp-of -Woods (COTW) in Lake Pleasant in Speculator NY that my family has been going to for generations. There are many cabins and other buildings that over time, outlive their usefullness or need modernization, which can get in the way of  traditions and what we are used to. COTW has been going thru a period of renovation and modernization to appeal to a younger crowd. 

One of these buildings is the Wigwam, named for a time back when there were American Indian designations to many things. It was nice and comfortable and right on the beach, but it was getting old and needed to be replaced. Right next to it was a 3 branch tree called variously the Trinity, Lyre or Family tree. Generations of families have their pictures taken sitting on those branches.  It was the victim of "progress". They probably could have incorporated it into the new building, but costs are a big issue. This painting is a tribute to that tree. As usual you can check out pixels for items based on that image.

Here is the painting and the images I used to do the painting.




 


Saturday, August 7, 2021

new painting - West Dover Cove - Nova Scotia

 Nova Scotia is one of my favorite Canadian Provinces (for now, until I get to Newfoundland probably.) I  keep an eye on the Nova Scotia pages on Facebook and Twitter. This picture of the West Dover Cove in Nova Scotia appeared on artist Shawna Mac's page on Twitter (https://twitter.com/Shawnamac_), I asked and she said I could paint it. Love painting fishing boats and harbors. As usual check out stuff to buy on Pixels and here's a the painting, the source and a few in progress shots  I need work on painting roping and other thin items. The are thicker than they should be

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