The Creative Spirit

Art Connection Treasury

“The object isn't to make art, it's to be in that wonderful state which makes art inevitable.” ― Robert Henri

Some how an artist will connect with their creative spirit and communicate their feelings in a two dimensional way. Sometimes the journey is difficult but the process is always what keeps the artist going....

The above collection sampling is a great example of the creative spirit you'll discover on Etsy.

Prior to That First Stroke

"How Far Is Heaven Road"

This is my latest landscape. I’m influenced by nature and its different faces, friends, music, and images I see and find… This week the Southern California coast has been experiencing lots of coastal fog. My painting was a direct result of me wishing for a sunny day….No sun so I turned to reference material. It’s amazing the images that are all stored in our head, studio or available copy right free via the internet.

My friend sent me some photos of her adventures in Utah thus the orange and raw sienna color in the road. I was playing an old CD my son gave me and thinking of old friends and family thus the title “How Far is Heaven Road.” I also went to Wet Canvas and Morgue File web sites. These two sites are great source for reference material. I put all those influences and created this landscape.

The most difficult part of this painting was funneling down all this information prior to that first stroke. I don’t think I’m alone. Well have a terrific day and thank you for letting me share...

Representional vs. Non-Representational Art Treasury

When curating this treasury I wanted strong examples of representational and non-representational art with splashes of color. These artists and artisans have taken different methods and styles to arrive at their vision. It appears to me that they all hit their mark in their own way.

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

Abstract Emotions

These artists have done a wonderful job of expressing their emotions in art.

Fine Art Treasury in Red

This is a vibrant treasury but best of all some of the selections are donating to the Japan earthquake relief...

Finding Fine Art

It's the first Friday of the month and a great time to find art on Etsy. One of the best options is to look for art teams on etsy for instance the Finding Fine Art Team, Vast Team, Art Walk Etsy Team, and Fine Art Friday Team. "Treasures for Your Apartment" treasury is just an example of the creative work of some of these artists and artisans...

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.

Latest News and Etsy Updates:
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.

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.

Celebrating Grandmothers by JC Strong

Grandmothers and great-grandmothers are the special people in our lives. I curated "Cheers to All the Beautiful Grandmothers" this treasury is filled with art, jewelry, sculpture and accessories for the special and heroic women in our lives.

Art Treasury "Need Color in 2011?"

The beginning of the New Year is a great time to highlight artists. This gallery/treasury "Need Color in 2011?" has a variety of color, texture, and mediums.

I think many people feel original art or fine art photography is beyond their price range. Those special affordable art treasures are still available and the energy of original art is special. Every artist has a visual story to tell and I think these artists represented have a lot to say ...

Original Art and Finding Fine Art Team Treasury by JC Strong

The “Let’s Redecorate in 2011" treasury highlights The Finding Fine Art Team. The goal of the team is providing art lovers the opportunity to acquire original art. The artist’s talents within this team are diverse. You'll find original paintings, drawings, mixed media, collage, printmaking and photography.

The best part of viewing and purchasing original art is you can see the hand of the artist in the strokes and texture of the work. I like to think original art has the spirit of the artist within the painting. An artist leaves the best part of him or herself on the canvas.

Sometimes you can see the serene stroke of a watercolorist, the deliberate or swift stroke of the oil and acrylic painter, the strokes with abandonment and joy, and complexity of assemblage, woodcut or printmaking. At times you wonder how did they do it? Then you have the opportunity to see "happy accidents" that happen in every art form.

So when redecorating in 2011, have fun searching for original art on the Etsy web site.

Etsy Updates/News
Other teams and tags on Etsy with original art:
Vast Team - Visual Artist Street Team
AWE Team - Artist Walk Etsy Team
firstfridayartwalk - First Friday Art Walk

Walking Corona del Mar Original Painting by JC Strong

I love walking the streets of Corona Del Mar its a sweet beach town. The tress are expressive like "rooted men" welcoming its citizens home. This particular day you can see the mix of colors in the ocean and sky.

You wonder what people are thinking as they walk home. I always try my best to capture a simple moment... The title of this work is "Welcome Home."