J Hicks Fine Art » california

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

Coastal scene inspires new watercolor painting

jhicks — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 19:00:50 +0000

This new 18×24 painting is from a road trip we took down Highway One along the Pacific Coast Highway. We stopped for lunch in the small coastal village of Elk, California and I spotted this quaint seaside cottage. I couldn’t resist stopping to photograph and sketch my impressions and the following is my interpretation of the scene……

Sunny in Elk, California 18x24

Sunny in Elk, California 9x12 Study

Preliminary Sketch

The scene that inspired the painting

Cambria California Farm Inspires New Painting

jhicks — Fri, 06 May 2011 02:20:49 +0000

In 2008 we traveled down the Pacific Coast Highway visiting many coastal villages along the way. In Cambria, California we took a drive out Santa Rosa Creek Road where I found this lovely old farm sitting before a vineyard. I’ve included some images of the work in progress and hope you will enjoy my interpretation of the scene…..

Vineyard Farm in Cambria 18x24

Blocking in largest shapes first

Almost time to start thinking about adding detai

Pencil Sketch establishes composition and values

The scene that inspired the painting

Painting Chosen for Magazine Cover

jhicks — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 13:47:36 +0000

Just found out and I’m thrilled! My painting Out Santa Rosa Creek Road will be on the cover of the April/May 2011 issue of Watercolor Artist Magazine. There will also be a full length feature story about my work inside. Visit my Blog to read more about the inspiration for this painting and the day we stopped in Cambria, California as we traveled down the Pacific Coast Highway.

Best of America Artists Books Viewable Online!

jhicks — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 13:18:24 +0000

Three of my original watercolor paintings were chosen for inclusion in the new Best of America Artists Watermedia Book.

Best of America Artist Book

Another painting wins an award!

jhicks — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:56:56 +0000

Pacific View and Blackberries Too receives Merit Award in the Watercolor Art Society-Houston 33rd International Exhibition by juror, Frank Webb.

Long Shadows at Los Olivos painting begins

jhicks — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 18:00:12 +0000

Long Shadows at Los Olivos Private Collection

In 2008 we spent almost 2 months traveling down the Pacific Coast Highway visiting the small village of Los Olivos, California taking time to explore the surrounding countryside while there. I’ve included the photo of the beautiful scene we found on that clear, sunlit day. I was especially taken with the long shadows that fell down the hillside and that became the inspiration for my painting. It was beautiful to be able to stand looking down on the splendid scene that was to become the painting I call Long Shadows at Los Olivos.

To begin I loosely sketched the composition on an 18×24 tones canvas laying in value and shadow with thinned Burnt Umber. More warmth was added with additional layers of yellow and orange where needed to depict the sunlight. These warm colors will shine through subsequent layers of paint to help describe the feeling of that special day. A soft cloth dipped in mineral spirits was used to wipe back to the light canvas to further assign sun struck areas. Thin color is worked over the entire painting not staying in any one place for too long. I don’t allow myself to think about or add any detail at this point instead waiting until all large areas have been massed in and warm and cool color placed.

In an effort to cover all the canvas I continue blocking in color keeping in mind value and color relationships. The yellow under painting looks too bright now but will sparkle through adding warmth and color harmony through out the painting. I continue to refine the painting by adjusting values and temperatures relationships and finally work on detail which I always save until last.

Pacific View and Blackberries Too juried into 2nd major exhibition!

jhicks — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 18:18:35 +0000

I am pleased to announce that my painting Pacific View and Blackberries Too has been selected to be included in the WAS-H 33rd International Exhibition 2010. Nationally recognized jurors are invited to judge this annual event which attracts artists from all over the globe and Frank Webb was chosen as juror this year. This is the second major exhibition Pacific View and Blackberries Too has been juried into.

View my new Video Gallery of Paintings

jhicks — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 12:00:36 +0000

View my new video gallery of paintings here or search Joyce Hicks on YouTube.

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