Original Ink Paintings by JC Strong

It's been a busy week and working on these ink paintings was cathartic. It brings me back to the basics of making marks on paper.

I'm a big fan of traditional Chinese and Japanese brush painting on "rice" paper, created with a ground ink stick. My preference is liquid sumi ink and working on 140 lb watercolor paper.

These paintings are a combination of memory and enjoying a day at the park between rainy days in California.

Black and White Vibrations

I think black and white art and sculpture with lots of texture, interesting subject matter and humor almost vibrates. The artists that are part of this treasury have made unique statements with only a black and white palette. Just click "Black and White Vibrations." and find additional information.

Latin Jazz Music, Past Loves, and Art

Around Valentine’s Day, I think of past and present loved ones. I started thinking of my dad and how he loved Latin Jazz and salsa music. So I spent yesterday listening to some of his favorites. I went on You Tube and played some great music by famous Cuban singer Celia Cruz. (My father's taste ran from "big band music" to jazz.)

The music was energetic and sultry. I spent the day dancing, painting and drawing with ink. Great combination ink and jazz. This was one of the paintings, I think of it as a dancing still life. The entire process was fun and a little bit of a celebration.

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Tantalize Your Walls I by jcstrong is a treasury of fine art in a variety of mediums. The selections are a feast for your walls.

Monday Beauties by Goodflorist is a treasury of art, photography and fashion accessories.

On My Easel: Impressionist Seascape by JC Strong

Looking for Whales off Dana Point:
Beginning/Blocking in color and shapes:
It's been a nice couple of weeks in Southern California. At this time of year I feel fortunate not to be shoveling snow.

A few days ago I had the opportunity to go whale watching off the coast of Dana Point, California. It was fun and we spotted a couple of whales, migrating south toward Mexico. Most of my reference photos were mainly the wake they left in the water. They'd left their fluke (tail) and down they'd go into the sea.

So I took lot's of reference photos of the sea and painted this seascape. I had a slow start, blocked in some color and then came back with more color & details...

Impressionist Landscape

This painting is on my easel, it's on the verge of completion. I wanted a somewhat neutral palette but I thought it needed a little extra texture and color. So the strongest bands of color were done with a pallet knife.