Thanks for Listening 2021

As this year closes, let me take a moment to express my gratitude and appreciation to all of you that have made this such a great year.

For those patrons that purchased work, you may never truly understand what your support actually means, I work to pay for the necessities so I can continue creating art. Your patronage represents more than a monetary or financial reward, it is encouragement and artistic freedom.

Again, my sincerest gratitude and a Happy New Year!

Jim

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For my loving wife Linda, no words can express my appreciation for you. You are the best thing that ever happened to me. I am so grateful to have you in my life. Thank you for making me feel like the luckiest man in the world every single day. I love you with all my heart.  Happy Anniversary

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"People need beauty.     They need the sense of being at home in their world and being in communication with other souls."      - Sir Roger Scruton

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Happy Independence Day

Washington Crossing the Delaware.by Emanuel Leutze – 1851, oil on canvas, 149 x 255 in

One of the most recognizable images in the history of American art. The subject is from one of the turning points in the American Revolutionary War. It commemorates General George Washington's crossing of the Delaware River on the night of 25-26 December 1776.

The Colonial cause appeared exceptionally bleak as the year 1776 came to a close. In a military move that navigated the fine line between brilliance and desperation, George Washington led the Colonial army across the Delaware River shortly after nightfall on 25 December in order to attack the Hessian encampment outside Trenton, New Jersey. Washington and his army achieved an unprecedented tactical surprise and delivered a much-needed military and moral victory.

Happy 4th of July!

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Sketches from the Caribbean Sea - Small Works / Color Studies

Sketches from the Caribbean Sea are available through my Etsy shop and website. These paintings are framed with Free Shipping! If interested follow this link.

www.etsy.com/shop/SerrettStudio

"Support living artists, the dead ones don't need the money."

Serenity is a word that is hard to image. Until you spend time on a beach like this. This is what it looks like. Paintings from the Caribbean Sea. Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Caribbean Paradise, oil on panel, 5 x 7 inches, Jim Serrett

Kinich Ahau (K'inich Ajaw) was the Sun God of the Mayans and was believed to turn into a jaguar as he went through the underworld (Xibalbá) each night. 

Kinich Ahau (Mayan Sun god) oil on panel, 5 x 7 inches, Jim Serrett

The illuminating glow of the morning sun creates shimmers of silver on top of the turquoise blue. It draws you in. The Sun God Kinich Ahau is awake. 

You are awake.

 Caribbean Daybreak, oil on panel, 5 x 7 inches, Jim Serrett

 

This storm passed quickly. Was there just long enough to add to the days drama and remind us of the power and beauty of nature.

Breaking Wave, Breaking Rain, oil on panel, 5 x 7 inches, Jim Serrett

I enjoy mornings on the beach so much, I am always astonished what the elements Water, Earth, and Air can create, it is always more than my imagination could.

Caribbean Ray, oil on panel, 5 x 7 inches, Jim Serrett

In Cancún, on the Yucatán Peninsula bordering the Caribbean Sea, you find some of the best beaches in the world and endless stunning sunrises for inspiration.

Morning Sun Cancun, oil on panel, 5 x 7 inches, Jim Serrett

Gorgeous turquoise water, beautiful white sand beaches, amazing sunrises. Much needed break.

Playa Cancun, oil on panel, 5 x 7 inches, Jim Serrett 

Nothing is more relaxing than that gentle sound of the surf hitting the beach.

Sounds of the Caribbean Sea, oil on panel, 5 x 7 inches, Jim Serrett

I know I have probably said this a million times, but the color of the water here is hypnotic, just pure natural beauty. 

Turquoise Surf, oil on panel, 5 x 7 inches, Jim Serrett

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Thanks for Listening 2020

In what has been a remarkable and difficult year for us all.

I wanted to take a minute to thank everyone for visiting the website and the Studio Blog.

Your support and interest in my work is greatly appreciated.

I hope you had a great Christmas and that 2021 brings all the good things that you wish for.

 Jim

Happy New Year!

Have a spectacular 2021.

And to my loving wife, Linda

These have been the best years of my life.

Happy Tenth Year Anniversary.

Your devoted husband.

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Happy Independence Day

The Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776 

Artist John Trumbull, American, 1756–1843

Oil on canvas, 12 ft x 18 ft, 1818

This painting depicts the moment on June 28, 1776, when the first draft of the Declaration of Independence was presented to the Second Continental Congress. The document stated the principles for which the Revolutionary War was being fought and which remain fundamental to the nation. Less than a week later, on July 4, 1776, the Declaration was officially adopted, it was later signed on August 2, 1776

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed." 

                                                         -Thomas Jefferson, Declaration of Independence

Happy 4th of July

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Art in the Age of Quarantine - Spring of COVID 19

Hello friends, as I write my Spring newsletter, I cannot help but think to myself is this essential? It just seems like there are much more pressing events happening in the world today. That talking about art; well, may not be that important in this Spring of Covid 19. This crisis is unprecedented, I cannot think of anything that compares to it in my lifetime.

How dramatic the changes to daily life are for most people, just think of the battery of new (detaching) phrases that have been added to our vocabulary, social-distancing, quarantine, flatten the curve, essential and non-essential workers. The media is flooded with advice, news and commentary. My wife and son both are working, one as an essential worker and the other remotely, it has certainly tested their limits and their strengths. How can I not help but feel some uncertainty, anxiety and concern? I try to not let it dominate my mind. No wonder finding personal balance during the shutdown is a challenge for each of us.

Honestly, as far as work, I have not been directly impacted much by the pandemic. But I completely recognize how unfair this coronavirus has been to so many. Those daily death tolls are stark reminder that there is a real difference between tragedy and inconvenience.

For me, Art has always been that place to escape to. I have been self-employed most of my life as an artist and spent thousands of solitary hours in the studio. Even back when I was doing advertising art, we had a saying, “no news was good news” meaning when a project was delivered if you did not get a call on it from the client you just assumed that they were happy and you moved on to your next project.  I would go days buried in my work without speaking much. As it turns out I’ve all been self-quarantining for years!

And these days as a fine artist working on the art I want to create, I probably am even more isolated, but that is quite ok with me. We all need interaction with others, but the truth is that art is not a group activity.  Nor a spectator sport or is it created by committee as some current trends want to imply.  Meaningful art is created through the internal reactions of an artist to the world.

The catch is that what gives art meaning…is its capacity to connect with other people.  

I see painting as a very contemplative experience, but it is also the investigation of the world around me. The thoughts, feelings, and experiences of this time of isolation.

So that big word “Art” cannot exist in a vacuum.  Art illustrates the human experience—the wonder of it, the bewilderment of it, the whimsy of it, and yes even the tragedy of it. We would not be who WE are (or connected so deeply) without the essential existence of art.

It's nice to be able to share some positive news with you. My painting Japanese Teapot was accepted into the National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society (NOAPS) 2020 Best of America Small Painting National Juried Exhibition.

-Best of America Small Works exhibition hosted by the McBride Gallery, 215 Main Street in Annapolis, MD 21401. For those that like to know the numbers, 150 paintings were selected from 1096 entries.”

The show has been extended until June 7, 2020

At last count, 15 paintings have sold from the 2020 Best of America Small Works Exhibition. With so many galleries, exhibitions and events being forced to close or cancel due to COVID-19. I want to thank Cynthia at the McBride Gallery who has been working diligently at promoting the exhibition online and extending the physical exhibition, so thankful for her efforts. 

To view the paintings in this exhibition please visit the gallery's website,

 www.McBrideGallery.com

or for more information on NOAPS, and a video tour of the show check out.

www.noaps.org/2020-boa-small

Show extended through June 7, 2020 at the McBride Gallery, Annapolis, MD

As always, I have several new paintings going in the studio. For frequent updates and works in progress please check out my Instagram or Website. 

Stay safe, stay well, remain vigilant and be kind to each other. 

Jim Serrett

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Small Works / Color Studies – March 2020

There are times I think the sky is daring me to paint it.

As if it is saying there’s no way you can catch me.

I am too wild.

Untamed Sky, oil on panel, 5x7 inches, Jim Serrett

Thunderstorms where heavy this afternoon and there was a controlled burn in the Shawnee Forest. 

I’ve been told either one can cause a sky like this. 

Rather brooding and ominous but interesting.

Yellow Sky, oil on panel, 5x7 inches, Jim Serrett

The morning haze is being burned away and the sun is warming the day.

The world is wide-awake.

Lake View – mid-morning, oil on panel, 5 x 7 inches, Jim Serrett

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Thanks for Listening 2019 - Happy New Decade!

At this time of year my thoughts are with family and friends and those loved ones lost. They will always be close to our hearts. Thanks to all of you for your support.

For those who purchased work, you may never truly understand what your support means. Your patronage represents more than a monetary or financial reward, it is encouragement and artistic freedom.

Again, my sincerest gratitude. Thanks for Listening

Happy Holidays and have a great New Years. Jim

For my loving wife, I love you more than you’ll ever know. ♥

How lucky a man I am, for I married my best friend and the love of my life.

I cherish every day I get to spend with you. You are amazing.

Happy Anniversary.

Explore - Question - Learn - Enjoy, Jim 

Website - jimserrett.com 
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Landscape Blog - Pochade Box Paintings

Support and Join Creative Commons.

Creative Commons is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to making it easier for people to share and build upon the work of others, consistent with the rules of copyright.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States License.

Small Works / Color Studies – Love the Process

Painting has been a major part of my life for decades. I am not sure what it would be like without it?
Even when the results sucked, if I am engaged with the exploration, I am always rewarded.
My sage advice.  Appreciate the journey. Love the process of painting.

These are some studies from the end of fall.  December Pochades 2019

A favorite spot to paint, we launch our kayaks and explore the lake from here.
I think it is one of the most beautiful lakes in Southern Illinois. It is a Zen place for us.

Boat Dock Road - Cedar Lake, oil on panel, 5 x 7 inches, Jim Serrett

Enormous numbers of Egrets this year along the Mississippi. I guess because of the flooded fields. I think there's a beautiful, elegant simplicity to watching them hunt in shallow waters, moving slowly with the neck extended searching or standing motionless until the prey comes within striking distance.

White Egrets - Old State Rte 3, oil on panel, 5 x 7 inches, Jim Serrett

Probably the last day of fall colors before the rains. The beautiful changes are eye candy.

Late Fall Walk, oil on panel, 5 x 7 inches, Jim Serrett

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Happy Holidays

Happy ❄️ Holidays

Thank you for being part of my creative world.

Joseph Christian Leyendecker (1874-1951)
The Toymaker, oil on canvas 24 x 20 in. Painted in 1920.

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Landscape Blog - Pochade Box Paintings