J Hicks Fine Art http://jhicksfineart.com Original Paintings of Beautiful Places Tue, 15 May 2012 20:15:38 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 New Texas Workshop scheduled http://jhicksfineart.com/blog/watercolor-workshops/new-texas-workshop-scheduled http://jhicksfineart.com/blog/watercolor-workshops/new-texas-workshop-scheduled#comments Fri, 04 May 2012 10:30:21 +0000 jhicks http://jhicksfineart.com/?p=8063 I’m excited to have an opportunity to present another Watercolor Workshop. I’m scheduled to be in Nacogdoches, Texas to Jury the 28th Annual Watercolor East Texas Exhibition on July 28th followed by a three day workshop 29-31. Nacogdoches is the oldest town in Texas rich in history, quaint shops, restaurants, galleries and historic homes. Visit my Workshops page for details and contact information.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

]]> http://jhicksfineart.com/blog/watercolor-workshops/new-texas-workshop-scheduled/feed 0 Pennsylvania Workshop in July http://jhicksfineart.com/blog/watercolor-workshops/pennsylvania-workshop-in-july http://jhicksfineart.com/blog/watercolor-workshops/pennsylvania-workshop-in-july#comments Thu, 03 May 2012 18:11:51 +0000 jhicks http://jhicksfineart.com/?p=8098 My workshop in beautiful Bucks County, Pennsylvania is scheduled for July 9th-13th to be held at the Historic Stone Ridge Farm Country Inn in Perkasie, PA. Come stay at this gorgeous Inn and paint with me for five full days in their state of the art workshop facility. Go to buckscountyartworkshops.com for sign-up information and full details or call Jackie Walker at 877-855-2276. You may also contact me directly.

 

 

 

 

 

]]> http://jhicksfineart.com/blog/watercolor-workshops/pennsylvania-workshop-in-july/feed 2 Sassie helps out http://jhicksfineart.com/blog/2012-travel/sassie-help-out http://jhicksfineart.com/blog/2012-travel/sassie-help-out#comments Mon, 16 Apr 2012 17:39:49 +0000 jhicks http://jhicksfineart.com/?p=8046

Sassie is always ready to head out with us across the landscape in search of beautiful places to paint. She loves to poke her head out the car window and seems to say “get ready, great shot coming up!” A couple of years ago we woke up to a snowy landscape which is very rare here in South Texas. We knew our window of opportunity was short so it didn’t take us long to grab the camera, pull on our coats and head out the door for a photo excursion. The snow created a magical gray and white landscape and I was able to get lots of wonderful photos before warm temperatures returned to melt it all away….

]]> http://jhicksfineart.com/blog/2012-travel/sassie-help-out/feed 0 Country depot inspires new painting http://jhicksfineart.com/blog/paintings-of-beautiful-places/country-depot-inspires-new-painting http://jhicksfineart.com/blog/paintings-of-beautiful-places/country-depot-inspires-new-painting#comments Sun, 08 Apr 2012 22:01:17 +0000 jhicks http://jhicksfineart.com/?p=8013 When we travel  small towns and country roads across America I gather so much information that it’s often hard to decide what I want to paint next. But when I start browsing through my digital libraries and thumbing through all my sketches it doesn’t take long before something catches my eye and triggers memories from a particular time and place. With the help of these materials I’m easily inspired and can begin to visualize the scene as a painting. I like to carry an idea around in my head for a few days until it really becomes natural and familiar to me. Then I do as many new sketches and color studies as necessary to feel comfortable with what I want to say and how best to interpret it and being well prepared makes any task easier. It gives me the confidence I need before committing to a large sheet of watercolor paper.

The following scene caught my eye as we crossed a river somewhere in Pennsylvania. As we drove over the bridge something about the scene made we want to snap a photo as quickly as possible and I always keep my camera turned on and ready. Sometimes I only have seconds to save the shot. I’ve included some step by step information to give an idea of how I go about creating my paintings in hopes you might enjoy.

 

 

4x6 Pencil Sketch

 

 

9x12 Watercolor Study

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The scene that inspired the painting!

]]> http://jhicksfineart.com/blog/paintings-of-beautiful-places/country-depot-inspires-new-painting/feed 8 YouTube video updated with new paintings http://jhicksfineart.com/blog/paintings-of-beautiful-places/youtube-video-updated-with-new-paintings http://jhicksfineart.com/blog/paintings-of-beautiful-places/youtube-video-updated-with-new-paintings#comments Fri, 16 Mar 2012 16:51:35 +0000 jhicks http://jhicksfineart.com/?p=7969

]]> http://jhicksfineart.com/blog/paintings-of-beautiful-places/youtube-video-updated-with-new-paintings/feed 0 I found it in Waldport, Oregon http://jhicksfineart.com/blog/paintings-of-beautiful-places/i-found-it-in-waldport-oregon http://jhicksfineart.com/blog/paintings-of-beautiful-places/i-found-it-in-waldport-oregon#comments Mon, 12 Mar 2012 23:07:36 +0000 jhicks http://jhicksfineart.com/?p=7916 What did I find? I found paradise all wrapped up in a sun drenched day! That was back in 2008 when we traveled down the Oregon Coast and stopped to spend a few days in Waldport, a charming village by the sea. We followed a rough country road that led off in the direction of the ocean and came upon the most wonderful scene. Below is the picture I took and even though it can’t be seen due to the bright sun blending sea and sky together the sea is there none the less, and very blue. The photo seems so bland but if you could have been there with me you would have been just as awestruck as I was. A photo, pencil sketch, small watercolor study and lots of great memories goes into the creation of each of my paintings. A while ago I came across all the preliminary work I did in 2008 and memories of that wonderful day came flooding back and I couldn’t wait to paint a larger version of it. I hope you will enjoy my interpretation of that gorgeous day and the scene I found by the edge of the sea in Waldport, Oregon.

I Found it in Waldport 18x24

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The scene that inspired the painting!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pencil Sketch

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Watercolor Study 9x12

 

]]> http://jhicksfineart.com/blog/paintings-of-beautiful-places/i-found-it-in-waldport-oregon/feed 6 Yipeeee, I just found out…. http://jhicksfineart.com/blog/publications-and-awards/yipeeee-i-just-found-out http://jhicksfineart.com/blog/publications-and-awards/yipeeee-i-just-found-out#comments Tue, 28 Feb 2012 20:46:34 +0000 jhicks http://jhicksfineart.com/?p=7899 Just received notice that my painting “White Barnes in Virginia”  received the CLARA and IDA WELLS STROUD MEMORIAL AWARD for the 145th American Watercolor Society International Exhibition! The exhibition will be held April 3-22 at the Salmagundi Club in New York City, NY.

 

]]> http://jhicksfineart.com/blog/publications-and-awards/yipeeee-i-just-found-out/feed 2 Take a peek at Christmas Vacation fun http://jhicksfineart.com/blog/2011-travel/take-a-peek-at-christmas-vacation-fun http://jhicksfineart.com/blog/2011-travel/take-a-peek-at-christmas-vacation-fun#comments Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:28:16 +0000 jhicks http://jhicksfineart.com/?p=7869 Having family close by is one of the top reasons we wanted to live in Lantana, TX! I thought you might enjoy this video of some of our family enjoying a sunny Christmas vacation.

]]> http://jhicksfineart.com/blog/2011-travel/take-a-peek-at-christmas-vacation-fun/feed 2 Watercolor Workshop for Texas Watercolor Society http://jhicksfineart.com/blog/watercolor-workshops/watercolor-workshop-for-texas-watercolor-society http://jhicksfineart.com/blog/watercolor-workshops/watercolor-workshop-for-texas-watercolor-society#comments Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:23:22 +0000 jhicks http://jhicksfineart.com/?p=7843 I’ve just returned from presenting a watercolor workshop in San Antonio for the Texas Watercolor Society. It was an absolutely wonderful 3 days spent with the most delightful and talented group of artists I have had the good fortune to be with. When I’m able to spend quality time with fellow artists I always feel as if I am the one who benefits most and I come away from the experience feeling enriched and renewed in so many ways. Being able to share what I am passionate about is intoxicating to say the least and everyone was so receptive to what I had to offer. Thank you everyone for a great time and a special thanks to Mary, the workshop chairman for organizing every detail so perfectly! I hope all our paths will cross again someday. Following are a few photos of my new found friends.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

]]> http://jhicksfineart.com/blog/watercolor-workshops/watercolor-workshop-for-texas-watercolor-society/feed 2 American Watercolor Society 145th International Exhibition http://jhicksfineart.com/blog/publications-and-awards/american-watercolor-society-145th-international-exhibition http://jhicksfineart.com/blog/publications-and-awards/american-watercolor-society-145th-international-exhibition#comments Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:05:43 +0000 jhicks http://jhicksfineart.com/?p=7796 I just received notice  that for the third year running one of my paintings was chosen for inclusion into the American Watercolor Society 145th International Exhibition. I am especially thrilled because it has also earned me Signature Status into this very prestigious Watercolor Society. I am honored to find myself in the company of some of the best artist in the world.

 

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