J Hicks Fine Art

Watercolor Workshop for Texas Watercolor Society

jhicks — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:23:22 +0000

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.

American Watercolor Society 145th International Exhibition

jhicks — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:05:43 +0000

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.

Watermedia Showcase includes painting

jhicks — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 13:40:22 +0000

I delighted that my painting “Pennsylvania Idyll” was selected for inclusion in the Watermedia Showcase Feature in the February Issue of Watercolor Artist Magazine.

Splash 13 Watercolor Book includes painting

jhicks — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 18:46:18 +0000

I thrilled that one of my paintings was selected for inclusion in another one of the Splash Series Books. The book has not yet been released but may be pre-ordered. Following is an except about the new book.

“The Splash” series showcases the finest watercolor paintings being created today. Readers gain insight into methods of the best contemporary watercolor artists in the 13th edition of this top-selling series. This title features approximately 132 paintings by more than 100 artists selected from more than 1,600 submissions from watercolor and water-media painters across the world. Each painting is accompanied by a caption that offers instructive information on the theme of “artistic vision” as interpreted by the contributing artists, revealing loads of instructional and inspirational tips on the watercolor medium.

Pratique Des Arts Magazine

jhicks — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 14:50:37 +0000

I’m very pleased to have been included in the beautiful French Art Magazine, Pratique Des Arts!

Rural Rhythm in Virginia

jhicks — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 19:31:26 +0000

I am drawn to open fields and the way planted rows curve away into the landscape. I’ve now painted several field paintings that were inspired while traveling through the open countryside. As you can see from my photo below I deviated quite a bit from the original scene. The main thing I was attracted to was the way the rows curved over the landscape in a very rhythmic way…..

Rural Rhythm in Virginia 22x30

a simple space is all one needs to paint in watercolor

I painted from this small sketch

The scene that inspired the painting!

Art Journey America Landscapes Book

jhicks — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 17:01:36 +0000

An exquisite new book called Art Journey America Landscapes may be pre-ordered now and will be on book shelves by the end of December. It is an absolutely stunning collection of beautiful paintings and I am thrilled and honored to have been asked by North Light Books to participate.

Following is what author Kathryn Kipp had to say about the book:

This dynamic showcase of the work of approximately 100 top contemporary American master artists takes readers on an enjoyable trip around the country with each painting accompanied by such thoughts as why the place is special to the artist (forests, Western landscapes, etc.); the techniques and processes she/he used to achieve his or her style (realistic, expressionistic, abstracted, etc.); why his or her piece is a significant work; what sets it apart from all the paintings he/she has created; what inspires him or her to create; and how he or she expresses that creative spark.

Art Journey America Landscapes

Fresh off the easel

jhicks — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 01:13:18 +0000

Just finished my latest painting and the paint is barely dry. I’ve included the photo of the scene that inspired the painting and as usually I made lots of changes in order to achieve a more dramatic statement. I caught the scene from our car window as we sped down the highway on a mostly flat, overcast day. I capitalized on the way the plowed field visually took my eye back into the landscape and the softness of the shadowless day. I think I accomplished what I set out to do and feel pleased with the result.

I’d like to share a quote from fellow artist Jerry Stitt that sums up what I strive for with each and every one of my paintings. “A painting isn’t good because it looks like something; it is good because it feels like something.”

A Way of Life 22x30

A Way of Life Pencil Sketch

A Way of Life 9x12 color study

The scene that inspired the painting!

Paintings chosen for exhibitions

jhicks — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 18:00:05 +0000

Two of my latest paintings were chosen for inclusion into the 43rd Watercolor West International Exhibition in Brea, California and the 32nd Pennsylvania Watercolor Society International Exhibition in West Chester, PA.

Painting Mendocino, California

jhicks — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 16:41:24 +0000

A 2008 road trip down the Pacific Coast Highway took us through scenic Mendocino, California. I fell in love with the quaint architecture of this small coastal village that sat at the edge of the sea. This scene was the subject of a demonstration painting I did for the Martin Museum of Art at Baylor University in Waco, Texas a couple of weeks ago. As you can see I took artistic liberty and simplified the scene leaving just what I felt was necessary in order to capture the essence of the time and place. I hope you like my interpretation called “Mendocino Moment.”

16x20 Mendocino Moment

The scene that inspired the painting