Original Painting California Landscape by JC Strong

I had started this early morning work a while back but completed this San Clemente landscape today. This landscape felt like creating a patchwork of colors. I wrestled with the sky but I think it's now a solid part of the artwork.

What if Matisse had a blog?

I’ve just finished a small format painting. It’s raining again so I sit at my keyboard and I wonder.

If artists from the past had the opportunity to author, a blog would they discuss the joy, struggles, inspiration or the everyday details of creating art? I thought of so many artists from the Renaissance to cartoon animators I’d love to know about in their own words. I know art history books outline their lives but new technology would be interesting in the artist's hands. . .

Do you think Matisse would discuss his motivation for his figure ink studies, oil paintings and then in his later years paper gouache cutouts? Andy Warhol, I hope would tell us in his own words why Campbell’s Soup. I would love to know when and why Jackson Pollack dropped, dribbled, poured his first “action painting.” I’d like to ask creators/designers of Bugs Bunny, Tex Avery and Bob Clampett how did you select that little guys look, attitude, and voice (Mel Blanc) and the famous line “What’s Up Doc.” That would be fun . . .

Finally, artists like Vincent Van Gogh and Frida Kahlo could share their personal struggles and the artists and collectors around the world/blogosphere would reach out and share their story.

Shop and Treasury Updates:

My latest painting "Three Tree Island" is in my Etsy Shop.

New Treasury's:

Big surprise this little treasury made the first page of the treasury list.

A Sunny Forcast with a Touch of Purple by JC Strong Gallery it highlights contributors to the First Friday Art Walk (ffaw) and the AWE Team.

Range Thread Fellows by HandmadeHelp is a wonderful selection of fine art in a variety of mediums and styles.

"Made in USA and Proud of It" by MysticSilks is a joyful variety of art, jewelry, and home decor.

Etsy Treasury Tool and Treasury Updates

Hello folks I’ve noticed the wide gap between the text and photos of my last post on October 18th. I made the photos with a treasury generator. Since I often discuss other artists and their work I thought you’d like a glimpse of their paintings and jewelry first hand. (The photos of the"Day of the Dead" artwork below are great.)

Although, my first attempt had a few kinks. The kinks are all on my part. I think the tool is worth exploring. My next attempt with the generator and html language will go a little smoother.

Right now I’ll go back to entering updates/news in my regular way. I think it's helpful to see other artists and artisans selections and creativity:

New Treasury's:

Fine Art Collection by Squier is a wonderful selection of original art and prints in different styles and mediums (contemporary, realism, folk, impressionistic etc)

Night Traveler! by Masibill is a lovely collection of art, fashion, and jewelery.

In the Eve of the Beholder by Craftsbykash is soothing collection of art, jewelery and accessories.

Highlighting "Day of the Dead" Art

"Day of the Dead" Art Tribute II' by jcstrong"

It is said "The Day of The Dead" is a celebration and memorial of friends and loved ones that have passed away. What a great idea and tribute to family and friends. These artists and artisans have made creative tributes to this day. These are some of my favorites in this genre...Thanks for looking.

illustratedink $18.00	VanFleetStreet... $10.00	noveltydoll $250.00	zedszombieranc... $49.00
themiscellany $	innerEYE $400.00	zuppaartista $15.00	goldenrococo $10.00
CarlaLovato $5.00	Fiddlebones $150.00	artpaw $65.00	GodinezArt $4.50
Frankenkitty $28.00	TripleJPendant... $7.99	dazfanoaxaca $19.99	raspberryrocke... $20.00

Generated using Treasury HTML code generator by Whale Shark Websites.

Finishing an Impressionist Painting

The painting process for this work continued today.

The shadows in the street became a little more subtle, and I strengthened the color of the orange walls. Now, I think I'll stop and consider this work finished.

Shop Updates and Highlights:
"Girlie pinks for you a girlfriend or daughter..." by ArtdeJoie a nice Etsy collection of jewelry, fashion, and art in pink.

Original Impressionist Painting and Art Ideas by JC Strong

This new painting is my effort to capture a street in Mexico and embrace the pallette of colors used by Rembrandt.

Rembrandt used a five-color pallette of yellow ochre, burnt sienna, burnt umber, black, cadmium red and white. All I can say, bless the old masters . . . They are able to create vibrant masterpieces in chiaroscuro with just a few colors and even ground charcoal into white in order to make a blue grey. Old masters make fine art look effortless . . .
It was a great exercise but to tell the whole truth I added a couple of additional colors and lots of light. It turned out to be an impressionist landscape. I just couldn’t stay out of my “Art Bin.”

The key thing was to remind me a limited pallette is a valuable exercise. It gave me a connection to the past and of course I'll keep trying . . . After studying this painting, I'm going to try to take it a little further. I'll post the outcome in the near future.

Shop Update and Treasury Highlights:

"There's more to paper then planes" by TripleJPendants has curated a treasury. The focus is paper creations of art and accessories.

Ink Original Painting and ACEO Black and White

It poured down rain today. I'm not complaining Southern California weather is pretty moderate compared to other states. I stayed indoors and adjusted some ink paintings and researched my next work. Today all my ink work is with Chinese ink. It has a rich organic quality that fits my style.

The ink is almost applied like watercolor with a brush instead of a pen. The surface of the tree painting is double shuen paper and the rose painting is on watercolor paper. Each paper has different absorption rates. The tree/landscape is a good example of how delicate paper causes the ink to spread in an organic way. It's a matter of patience and trial and error.

This is a little tip for beginning ink painters. The amount of water you have in your brush is important. Less water offers those strong black strokes. More water provides a variety of greys.

I use "shop" towels mechanic's have to clean up their work. The towels are very absorbent. Stroke your brush on the surface before putting it into the ink. It assist's the painter in the battle to have the correct amount of water to ink. Till next time stay dry and comfortable.

Shop Updates:
The best part of membership in the artist community is being able to highlight other peoples work. The following are art selections curated by fellow artists. Just click and you'll find a variety of creative works:

Expressive Mix Treasury by ArtedeJoie highlights contemporary artists and artisans and their art work.

Be Patient Someone Will Find You by Masibill nice collection of art and accessories.

So Talented by EvelynMcCPeters is a an artistic overview of the Visual Artist Street Team.

Fall Favorites by Schemata a lush collection of fall color, art, jewelry and fashion.

Original Impressionist Landscape Painting

My all-time favorite subjects are the landscape and seascapes of San Clemente, California. San Clemente is a wonderful beach town rich in community friendliness and California history. The town is a mix of families, senior citizens, young, old, men and women that love the ocean.

Walk around town at different times of the day and you'll see the ocean, sky, and landscape in different vibrant colors. Today's painting is inspired by twilight walks near the beach, after a warm day in the sun.