Original Painting Abstract Ink Landscape

The inspiration for this work is the warm or should I say hot past few days in California. People have been walking around San Clemente in the evening. Early evening walks are fun you have the opportunity to meet the neighbors and cool off and see nature in a different light...

Shop Talk:
This is the time of the month I like to give you updates on what has happened on Etsy and with other artists and artisans. I curated art treasury's this month and was lucky to be selected in some lovely treasury's.

An Etsy Treasury is a completion of items that highlights the work of artists and artisans. Sometimes they are held together by a subject, theme or just fun. Here are just a few.

Art Treasury's:
Life Expressions I by JC Strong Gallery
Life Expressions II by JC Strong Gallery

Eclectic Treasury of Art and Fashion:
Platinum and Peach by Elegant Casual Jewelry
Autumn Harvest by Gallery Juana
Sex in the City by Triple J Pendants

Fun Treasury's:
Groovin With the Oldies by Backyard Photos
Fall Colors by the 50's Crowd by Plantlady
Blank Canvas Opened Mind by ArtdeJoie

I also belong to an Etsy Group called the AWE (Art Walk Etsy) Team on the first friday of the month they promote some fun and beautiful work on-line in their Etsy Shops.

Last but not least. I'd like to thank all my "followers" for taking the time to come along for the ride. I respect your input and fun comments.

Original Watercolor and Ink Painting by JC Strong

Most of my flower painting inspirations come from my walks around the neighborhood. I take my camera and just photograph my favorites . . . The idea for the painting will stay with me and then be written/sketched in my journal. Many times a flower will remind me of a person or a current theme. Some flowers are exuberant others are sad but they are usually always expressive . . .

I was asked about the tools and materials I use in my work. I’ll discuss my tool’s today. My favorite tools are an“Orchid Bamboo” medium and small brush. They are a great utility brush for my ink work. The point makes great calligraphy strokes and holds the ink like a mini well. Usually for the body of the flowers I’ll use soft round water color brushes. Good brushes will hold their point over a long time if they are pampered and help with the painting process.

Ella Wheeler Wilcox said "A weed is but an unloved flower." Well I hope all our flowers are loved, have a great weekend.

Original Acrylic California Impressionist Painting

The colors of fall have been on my mind. This small format landscape is filled with orange and autumn neutrals. The punch of color is in the red door and violet floral’s.

This house is in Los Rios Historic District in San Juan Capistrano, California. This street has a wealth of very inviting cottages and historic homes.

This particular property caught my eye and I made up a little story of what I saw. The house is modest, proud and aging. It’s giving back to the neighborhood with its beautiful gardens filled with herbs and flowers. I always feel like little gardens give a community hope.

See this original painting and others in my Etsy Shop.

Original Watercolor Painting Chrysanthemum

Let me introduce you to a member-flower of my friend Tom’s Garden. It’s become my latest Asian Inspired painting with my California twist. Tom has a slice of a garden that has a multitude of plants and flowers. When I walk the neighborhood, I take my camera and just photograph my favorites.
These images become the resource and inspiration for some of my later paintings...

The Chrysanthemum is a “fall-flowering plant.” I’m told in the Chinese culture it represents “strength and triumph over misfortune.” I like that idea... It's wonderful when something delicate becomes a source of strength.

Original Acrylic California Seascape

Some days, riding along Pacific Coast Highway from Laguna Beach to San Clemente, California, you see beautiful coastlines. I always wonder, what did the coastline look like fifty years ago? (One of my favorite places in Laguna Beach is the Laguna Art Museum... (The museum has a breathtaking exhibit of early 20th Century artists. These early artists documented the coast line of long ago.)


So, today the sky is blue and the waves are aqua green and smooth. I’ve enjoyed a walk to the San Clemente Pier. It was easy to imagine a “Retro Summer."

Shop Talk, New Curated Etsy Treasury, and New Team:
See more details regarding this work and other paintings in my Etsy Shop.

I've stepped out of my comfort zone and made a sale to an international buyer... It was scary new territory. The scary part was international shipping but it went well. Thanks so much!

MysticSilks has curated a colorful Treasury it has a great selection of fine art, ceramics, and fashion, take a look:
The Autumn Leaves Drift By My Window

Scarfooldesigns has curated an homage to the season with fine art in different mediums called:
Black with a Pop of Orange for Halloween Season

I'm a new member of the Etsy Group AWE Team, looking forward to their "first Friday art walk" events...

Finding Art Inspiration

Do you ever have a lack of inspiration or inability to create. I call it a slump or a basic lack of "mojo?"

A few years ago while in Palm Springs I went to the B. Lewin Gallery. This Gallery had a collection of Mexican Modern Art. (I think it’s closed now.) The masters I remember were Rufino Tamayo and Alfaro Siqueiros. I remember walking in and feeling like I was in a Mayan cathedral something inside just hummed with excitement. The exact same thing happened when I went to the Chicago Art Institute and saw the legends of French Impressionism. I remember seeing these work's of art in person, and thinking it was a visual gift. I just wanted to jump around and say thank you. I would have looked a little silly.

Although I don't paint like these artists, these totally different venues of inspiration both accomplished the same thing, a love of art. So on the occasion my artistic "mojo" is not flowing, I go to the nearest art museum or remember those wonderful venues from the past that first inspired me.

Shop Talk and Curated Etsy Treasuries:

See my curated Etsy Treasury "Harmony and Strength" in blue. It's filled with the work of talented artists and artisans.

Orange Crush by ArtdeJoie is another sumptuous collection. It's a wonderful collection for fall.

Green with Envy by Backyardphotos gives a respectful nod to the beauty of green. A Wonderful collection of fine art photo, fashion, and accessories.

New Painting and details...