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...







Original Ink Paintings Landscape and Floral

JC Strong Gallery

The combination of sumi ink on watercolor paper is an exciting medium. The "happy accidents" and many shades of black and grey that are possible is wonderful. The ink picks up every nuance of an artist's brush strokes.

Most of the time it's good but when I drink to many cups of coffee, you can see it. I guess, that's one of the unique qualities of original art.

Updates, Links and Etsy News:
I found the online Little Frog Gallery of Charles Chu a former Yale University Professor. His artwork is a great example of Chinese ink paintings and a master of Chinese Brush art work.

Today between 6:00 & 9:00 pm eastern time the Finding Fine Art Team is having a treasury blitz in order to give fine art a visual voice/boost on Etsy... So if you're looking for fine art just go to http://www.etsy.com/ and use the findingfineart tag in your regular search or curated treasury section. You'll find some incredible art in these treasuries and the support will be much appreciated.

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.

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.

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.

ACEO Original Ink Mini Zen Painting

This ACEO (2 1/2" X 3 1/2")is another respectful nod to the Asian brush art forms with a California twist.... I love the organic qualities of ink and paper. The little gold like flecks give this mini painting texture and warmth.

The surface of this painting is "rice paper" inorder to protect the paper and bring out the ink it's mounted with a cellulose adhesive. (It's like wallpaper paste.) The tricky part is not destroying the paper. See available art in my Etsy Shop.

Original Watercolor and Ink Painting

I love the vitality of ink on paper. The roots appear to be in Asian calligraphy. Master Calligraphers can sometimes speak volumes with just one stroke.

While I was painting this flower I thought of ancient calligraphers and the beauty of Georgia O'Keefe floral painting.

Abstract Watercolor and Ink Painting

This painting although it appears more realistic then painting below is based on the same techniques of calligraphy and ink painting techniques.

Original Ink Painting versus Jazz

6/24/10
Turned the news off and listening to some jazz and blues. Then turned to abstract ink painting with calligraphic strokes. It’s my organic way of expressing emotion.

Chinese Ink with its ability to flow with short, long, thick and slim strokes has calmness. Whether the artwork appears calming or "jazzy" it will be up to the viewer. I like it when a viewer makes their own personal interpretations. Hmm, music and painting are like auditory and visual poetry.

View and learn more about this painting and others in my new Etsy shop. http://www.etsy.com/shop/jcstrong