jminpaintings

I have loved nature from the time I took my first step. McKinley Park on the south side of Chicago was my first encounter with the beauty nature afforded us. Even though it was in the heart of the city, to a five year old, it was a massive wilderness waiting to be explored. From then on, I would spend my class room time doodling trees and water and all sorts of natural elements, you know as opposed to listening to my teachers and studying.
When I was home, I lost myself in coloring books and colored those pages until I couldn't see straight.
When I started to get older, I would draw my own scenes to color and I just progressed from there.
I have worked with most mediums, but oil paints are the closest in color and richness to what is in my imagination.
When I paint a landscape, I do not paint exactly what I see in front of me but more so of what I see in my own head. The colors I use are what I like, not necessarily what is in front of me or in a photograph.