Original ACEO Painting Acrylic Ink Abstract Garden Art Zen

 

Abstract Garden ACEO

Posting a few more miniature paintings today.  Thank you for taking a look....

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Watercolor Ink Abstract Landscape Clouds Stormy

Stormy Sky

Nature is a wonderful inspiration and difficult master to interpret...but I enjoy trying.  This painting is all about the dark and light in the sky.

Southwest Memories

The Southwest Memories treasury was triggered by this wonderful photograph my friend sent me. You can see in the photo nature is in charge and beautiful. After thinking about past adventures in Arizona and Utah I decided to put this treasury together:



The southwest landscape is majestic and the artists and artisans capture that beauty plus the traditions in jewelry and leather. The paintings have a beautiful weight and power. I also enjoy the abstract paintings non-traditional expression that captures the southwest….

Nature in the desert, mountains, or sea seems to ground me and that’s a wonderful feeling. I feel grateful to live in a place where nature is close. Most of the artists in the treasury are either part of the Finding Fine Art Team or Native American Forum on Etsy.

Ink Play

While taking a figure drawing class, students discussed the cost and lack of availability of figure models.  The teacher pointed to the outside landscape and said paint a tree.  He wasn't trying to be sarcastic but was serious while he shared his feelings about nature.   The teacher shared that trees have weight, curves, and  personality...



I think our forests, backyards, and urban sidewalks are filled with resilient "spirits" that have helped many artists including me with their journey.  I call these paintings "Ink Play."  The first painting was a combination of a large brush and heavily loading it with ink.  The work on the bottom was completed with medium brushes and dragging a partially loaded brush against a dry surface. 

I've always enjoyed the beautiful work of Chinese and Japanese calligraphers and painters.  I love the pictographs.  My art journey is always a combination of nature, memory, and absorbing different cultures...







Painting and Music a Great Combination

The majority of this work especially the body of the tree was painted with a palette knife. This painting has a strong textural quality due to the thick paint and knife strokes

I was listening to blues and jazz music and this landscape is what surfaced. The music didn't make me feel melancholy but you knew the singer was digging deep from a soulful place... I guess you can say trees, music, and art carry me to a special place. Today was just good day to paint.

Etsy Updates:
Tomorrow is the first Friday of the month and it's a great time for a virtual art walk on Etsy. The following are some of my favorite art teams and their links:
Finding Fine Art Team - You'll find art in every genre and medium!

Art Walk Etsy Team

Fine Art Friday Team

Original Watercolor and Ink Landscape Painting by JC Strong

This is an original watercolor and ink painting posted in my shop yesterday. It's actually cliffs near my home. I used mainly ink. It has an Asian inspired influence.

I think it has something to do with the calligraphic strokes and the way the ink loads in the brushes. My acrylic paintings take a totally different look. I like the diversity in styles and medium.

I attended the Sawdust Art Festival and Art A Fair. Both venues have some wonderful artist's and their work.

At the Art A Fair, I saw some fantastic examples of Chinese brush painting in a small format by "Debbie's Art Studio." Her work was peaceful, organic and expressive. All done in a small format.

If you're in So. California stop by Laguna Beach, and you'll see some wonderful art this summer.

Original Abstract Landscape "Warm Sky" and Art History

While working on this painting, I felt close to the artist Milton Avery.
Mr. Avery’s abstract landscapes were intuitive with bold colors that had a "representational" feel. According to Widipedia “Milton Avery was often thought of as the American Matisse.”

Beside the art history influences this abstract/impressionist landscape's heart is color. The sky and figure are relaxing in a warm sun. I painted blocks of orange and blue with the mixed neutrals in the sky...You can see more details regarding the artwork in my Etsy Shop . . .