Original Acrylic Walking Landscape in Corona Del Mar

Walking in Corona Del Mar and caught this scene. I didn’t paint it on the spot. I did my usual took notes and digital photos and reinvented the design and composition later. Trees are great to paint they have spirit...

It’s wonderful it can be a grey day outside (not complaining) but I can paint a bright sunny day and invent my own colors. I’d been painting with ink the last few days. This high key painting was a nice change. This painting was done with acrylics and something new for me a RayMar "Plein Aire Panel."

Abstract Watercolor and Ink Painting

This painting although it appears more realistic then painting below is based on the same techniques of calligraphy and ink painting techniques.

Original Ink Painting versus Jazz

6/24/10
Turned the news off and listening to some jazz and blues. Then turned to abstract ink painting with calligraphic strokes. It’s my organic way of expressing emotion.

Chinese Ink with its ability to flow with short, long, thick and slim strokes has calmness. Whether the artwork appears calming or "jazzy" it will be up to the viewer. I like it when a viewer makes their own personal interpretations. Hmm, music and painting are like auditory and visual poetry.

View and learn more about this painting and others in my new Etsy shop. http://www.etsy.com/shop/jcstrong

Art, Emotions, and Oil Spills

I’ve been following the reports on the oil spill off the Louisiana Coast and how the disaster is spreading. The concerns about families losing their means of support and images of seagulls, pelicans, fish, and wetlands covered in oil, dugs at your heart . . .

I kept wandering what was the wildlife experiencing while their environment was crumbling. Real life is much more graphic. Although I normally don’t do portraits of animals, I think this painting served as an aid in processing the impact of those sad images . . .

So, I’m sending all those people working on the oil disaster good vibes and I hope they stop the leak.

Creative Process and Small Format Art

Mostly for myself inspiration can be like a bowl of “Jell-O” that needs to firm up. I usually have to slow down and focus then the painting will start.

Why all the musing about creativity? Well, this 8" X 10" acrylic landscape took time to gel. After snapping photos of Highway 40 scenery through the window of my car those images became the inspiration for this landscape.

You’d surmise a small format painting would take less “thinking” time but that’s not how it works... Small or large format I have to invest myself. I guess that’s what it’s all about for any genre... An art teacher said something like most art is autobiographical perhaps he's correct...