A Painting From My Travels

Posted on April 30, 2024 by Essexart ABC

Key West Busker, 11”x 14”, 2024, watercolor and ink on 96 lb. recycled American made (with French materials) Bristol paper.
When I travel I always take art materials with me. While staying in Key West, I painted this from a photo I took of a street performer at one of the nightly Sunset Celebrations on Mallory Square.
I find that working in watercolor while on a salty piece of land, surrounded by water, is an experience that always invigorates.
This painting is currently available for purchase. Prints of this painting are available in my online stores.

~ John Essex II is a retired art teacher who now lives what he calls the “beatnik artist’s life”. He is a two-time Lilly Teacher Creativity Fellow and an Indy Arts Council (Arts Council of Indianapolis) Creative Renewal Arts Fellow. Essex is also artist/owner of EssexArt ABC, LLC through which he keeps busy creating his own fine art, creates commissioned art, does caricaturing by commission and at special events, conducts private painting parties and is contacted regularly to play the bagpipes (yes… play the bagpipes). Essex also maintains two online print-on-demand stores where patrons can acquire gallery quality prints of his art as well as other products that feature his work. To view what Essex does, and/or to shop his online stores (for which he would be extremely grateful), go to:
https://society6.com/essexart,
http://bit.ly/TPublic_EssexArt
To keep up with Essex and what he does at EssexArt ABC, LLC, follow him on:
Facebook at, https://www.facebook.com/EssexArt,
Instagram at, https://www.instagram.com/essexart_abc (@EssexArt_ABC)
Essex is also listed in the Arts Council of Indianapolis artist directory at:
http://www.indyartsguide.org/artist/john-essex-ii/

Spontaneous Geometrics

Posted on August 21, 2023 by Essexart ABC

In case anyone is in the Garfield Park area of Indianapolis, I currently have a solo exhibit there.
September 1 (First Friday) it will be open late and I plan to be there. Come on out.
Exhibit title: Spontaneous Geometrics
John Essex II
“For years the majority of my art has been about people and locations. Though I
also, enjoy creating purely abstract work now and again as the muse strikes, and
am currently working on a series of what I call spontaneous geometrics, much of
what I produce is of actual people or actual locations or inspired by one or the
other. I can best give an account of why I am a visual artist by simply stating it is the only life I have ever known.”
AUG 4- SEPT 29
Front Lobby
GPACarts.org

~ John Essex II is a retired art teacher who now lives what he calls the “beatnik artist’s life”. He is a two-time Lilly Teacher Creativity Fellow and an Indy Arts Council (Arts Council of Indianapolis) Creative Renewal Arts Fellow. Essex is also artist/owner of EssexArt ABC, LLC through which he keeps busy creating his own fine art, creates commissioned art, does caricaturing by commission and at special events, conducts private painting parties and is contacted regularly to play the bagpipes (yes… play the bagpipes). Essex also maintains two online print-on-demand stores where patrons can acquire gallery quality prints of his art (including the one in this blog entry) as well as other products that feature his work. To view what Essex does, and/or to shop his online stores, go to:
https://society6.com/essexart,
http://bit.ly/TPublic_EssexArt
To keep up with Essex and what he does at EssexArt ABC, LLC, follow him on:
Facebook at, https://www.facebook.com/EssexArt,
Instagram at, https://www.instagram.com/essexart_abc (@EssexArt_ABC)
Essex is also listed in the Arts Council of Indianapolis artist directory at:
http://www.indyartsguide.org/artist/john-essex-ii/

A Blackbird Calls

Posted on June 4, 2023 by Essexart ABC

A Blackbird Calls, watercolor on watercolor paper, 8”x 10”, 2023.
This painting was inspired by a blackbird that perched on a chair opposite where my wife and I were dining at a table outside of The Whales Rib, a restaurant in Deerfield Beach, Florida. We had just arrived for a stay in Deerfield Beach and thought we’d find a local restaurant to try. We were not disappointed with our choice.
Interestingly enough, the young man who was parking cars in the restaurants small parking lot of highly coveted spaces, was a recent graduate of a high school with which we were familiar. Greenwood High School, Greenwood Indiana was the school and one which two nephews and one niece of ours had graduated. Small world.
Like I mentioned above, while my wife and I were enjoying our time at one of the outdoor tables, this blackbird flew up and perched on a chair opposite us. The bird did not seem the least bit shy as it stood there on that chair holding its one foot up, which I suspected had been injured at one time or another. Anyway, as the blackbird perched on the chair quite comfortably I took several pictures of it before it decided to move on. I thought the way it stood would make an interesting subject matter for a painting and capturing the pose with my camera was not hard to do with a critter that didn’t appear one bit bothered by the fact that it joined us without the courtesy of asking first.
In the painting I depicted the bird on a medievalesque war hammer because I thought it would make a more interesting painting then having it sit on a restaurant chair.
I started and finished the painting, poolside, at the small place we were staying in Deerfield Beach.

~ John Essex II is a retired art teacher who now lives what he calls the “beatnik artist’s life”. He is a two-time Lilly Teacher Creativity Fellow and an Indy Arts Council (Arts Council of Indianapolis) Creative Renewal Arts Fellow. Essex is also artist/owner of EssexArt ABC, LLC through which he keeps busy creating his own fine art, creates commissioned art, does caricaturing by commission and at special events, conducts private painting parties and is contacted regularly to play the bagpipes (yes… play the bagpipes). Essex also maintains two online print-on-demand stores where patrons can acquire gallery quality prints of his art (including the one in this blog entry) as well as other products that feature his work. To view what Essex does, and/or to shop his online stores, go to:
https://society6.com/essexart,
http://bit.ly/TPublic_EssexArt
To keep up with Essex and what he does at EssexArt ABC, LLC, follow him on:
Facebook at, https://www.facebook.com/EssexArt,
Instagram at, https://www.instagram.com/essexart_abc (@EssexArt_ABC)
Essex is also listed in the Arts Council of Indianapolis artist directory at:
http://www.indyartsguide.org/artist/john-essex-ii/

My Artwork… Out Here And There

Posted on May 7, 2023 by Essexart ABC

There are six of my artworks that are currently in various stages of exhibition and in various places.
They are:
’The Conflict I See Daily’, acrylic on canvas, online exhibit titled ‘Pairs’ that just ended recently.

My acrylic and collage on particle board multi media titled, ‘Jack’s Road’, is in a juried exhibit that just opened called, ‘Textured”. The exhibit will be up until till May 27, 2023 at the Garfield Park Arts center, 2432 Conservatory Dr, Indianapolis, IN. My acrylic on canvas painting titled, ‘Memories/Connections’, is also in that juried exhibit, ‘Textured”.

My watercolor and ink on watercolor paper work titled, ‘Beach Bird’, has been delivered and will be exhibited May 12 – June 30 at the SullivanMunce Cultural Center, 225 W Hawthorne St, Zionsville, IN, in a juried show called, ‘Flora And Fauna’. Also my watercolor and ink on watercolor paper work titled, ‘Rope Bird’, has also been delivered and will be in ‘Flora And Fauna’.

– Scheduled for delivery in a few days is my acrylic on canvas painting titled, ‘Monumental Geometric’. It is one of twelve paintings selected to to be in the 2023 Treasurer’s Statehouse Exhibition in the Indiana Statehouse, 200 W Washington St, Indianapolis, IN. This art exhibit will up until September, 22, 2023.

As one might guess, I’ve been depending on my calendar quite heavily lately to help me keep track of what works I have out and where they are. Honestly… it’s a good position to be in and I’m more than happy to be busy like this.

~ John Essex II is a retired art teacher who now lives what he calls the “beatnik artist’s life”. He is a two-time Lilly Teacher Creativity Fellow and an Indy Arts Council (Arts Council of Indianapolis) Creative Renewal Arts Fellow. Essex is also artist/owner of EssexArt ABC, LLC through which he keeps busy creating his own fine art, creates commissioned art, does caricaturing by commission and at special events, conducts private painting parties and is contacted regularly to play the bagpipes (yes… play the bagpipes). Essex also maintains two online print-on-demand stores where patrons can acquire gallery quality prints of his art as well as other products that feature his work. To view what Essex does, and/or to shop his online stores, go to:
https://society6.com/essexart,
http://bit.ly/TPublic_EssexArt
To keep up with Essex and what he does at EssexArt ABC, LLC, follow him on:
Facebook at, https://www.facebook.com/EssexArt,
Instagram at, https://www.instagram.com/essexart_abc (@EssexArt_ABC)
Essex is also listed in the Arts Council of Indianapolis artist directory at:
http://www.indyartsguide.org/artist/john-essex-ii/

Whispers Of The Muse

Posted on April 25, 2023 by Essexart ABC

I’m happy to share here that ‘Beach Bird’ is one of two of my paintings that have been selected for the Flora and Fauna juried exhibit at SullivanMunce Cultural Center in Zionsville, IN. The artist reception will be Friday, May 12. If you are in the area, please stop in.
It’s hard to describe what it is in an artist that internally draws them to present their work to the world. It’s equally difficult to explain the unrelenting internal compulsion artists feel that lead them to create artwork. I’ve often referred to it as a haunting. Something will come to mind as if whispered softly in my ear by an unseen muse, then it stays there unrelentingly wanting out until I exorcise it by transferring it to canvas or paper. That is the only way, for me, to make that blessed haunting leave my head. Of course, next comes the near equally strong desire to place that artwork before the world*. As I seek to find avenues to exhibit the result of the previous haunting… the muse whispers to me again.

* It never occurred to me that an artist does indeed put their work before the world, as it’s being created and as it is exhibited, until and encounter I had years ago. There I was painting en plein air (outdoors and on site) a pedestrian bridge that crosses the canal behind Newfields (The Indianapolis Museum Of Art). As I painted a man came up to me as I worked there on the gravel path by the canal. He stopped and watched for a short while, complimented my painting, then continued on the path. As he left he said to me something I have never forgotten, “Thanks for sharing that with the world.” After pondering that for a while I came to the conclusion he was right. That is exactly what artists do. They share their work, their vision, their soul, their art with the world.

~ John Essex II is a retired art teacher who now lives what he calls the “beatnik artist’s life”. He is a two-time Lilly Teacher Creativity Fellow and an Indy Arts Council (Arts Council of Indianapolis) Creative Renewal Arts Fellow. Essex is also artist/owner of EssexArt ABC, LLC through which he keeps busy creating his own fine art, creates commissioned art, does caricaturing by commission and at special events, conducts private painting parties and is contacted regularly to play the bagpipes (yes… play the bagpipes). Essex also maintains two online print-on-demand stores where patrons can acquire gallery quality prints of his art as well as other products that feature his work. To view what Essex does, and/or to shop his online stores, go to:
https://society6.com/essexart,
http://bit.ly/TPublic_EssexArt
To keep up with Essex and what he does at EssexArt ABC, LLC, follow him on:
Facebook at, https://www.facebook.com/EssexArt,
Instagram at, https://www.instagram.com/essexart_abc (@EssexArt_ABC)
Essex is also listed in the Arts Council of Indianapolis artist directory at:
http://www.indyartsguide.org/artist/john-essex-ii/

A Tragic Beauty

Posted on February 15, 2023 by Essexart ABC

One of my most recent paintings while traveling.
Slave Hut, Bonaire, 5″x 7″, watercolor on watercolor paper, 2023.

Of all the artworks I’ve ever done in my life, this simple little painting of a small hut (built in 1850) situated with others like it, on a pristine beach and depicted during on a beautiful day on a small southern Caribbean island just 50 miles off the coast of Venezuela… is the one that has me most conflicted. For all the beauty of the environment in which this hut is found and in spite of the peasant and simple construction of it… it has a heartbreakingly tragic story behind it. This tiny hut was not built for weekend getaways of the rich and famous during the 1850s (and is certainly not used for that today). It’s a remnant of the institution of slavery on the beautiful small Dutch Caribbean island of Bonaire.

Huts like these were built as sleeping quarters for the slaves who were used to work the sea salt production industry on Bonaire. The huts are only large enough to crawl in and appear to be able to comfortably accommodate two sleepers. However, the huts were used often by 3 times that number.

When one finds art that depicts beauty, it’s always helpful know the history of the subject matter. That knowledge will help the viewer to understand the artwork better and even, in cases like this, understand the conflict in the soul of the artist who created it. There is such a thing as a tragic beauty… but it’s not an easy thing.

~ John Essex II is a retired art teacher who now lives what he calls the “beatnik artist’s life”. He is a two-time Lilly Teacher Creativity Fellow and an Indy Arts Council (Arts Council of Indianapolis) Creative Renewal Arts Fellow. Essex is also artist/owner of EssexArt ABC, LLC through which he keeps busy creating his own fine art, creates commissioned art, does caricaturing by commission and at special events, conducts private painting parties and is contacted regularly to play the bagpipes (yes… play the bagpipes). Essex also maintains two online print-on-demand stores where patrons can acquire gallery quality prints of his art as well as other products that feature his work. To view what Essex does, and/or to shop his online stores, go to:
https://society6.com/essexart,
http://bit.ly/TPublic_EssexArt
To keep up with Essex and what he does at EssexArt ABC, LLC, follow him on:
Facebook at, https://www.facebook.com/EssexArt,
Instagram at, https://www.instagram.com/essexart_abc (@EssexArt_ABC)
Essex is also listed in the Arts Council of Indianapolis artist directory at:
http://www.indyartsguide.org/artist/john-essex-ii/

Grand Cayman Rooster

Posted on February 11, 2023 by Essexart ABC

Grand Cayman Rooster, 5″x 7″, watercolor on watercolor paper, 2023.

This is something I enjoyed painting while in the Caribbean Sea aboard a cruise ship.
When I travel I always take art materials and a camera (of course) with me because subject matter always presents itself. In fact I never have to go out looking for art subject matter, it quite often, literally, walks right up to me… as did this colorful feathered beauty.
When I’m aboard a cruise ship and working on a painting inspired by an experience on board or from one of the ports visited, I enjoy working in public areas. Sure, I could paint in the solitude of my stateroom, but I’d be missing the energy that is virtually everywhere people are gathered or through which they walk. Additionally, when I’m painting in a public space there is an opportunity to interact with the people who come up to see what I’m doing. Those interactions are always pleasant. Maybe it’s because people are on vacation, are relaxed and as such are simply their best social selves… but 100% of the time I’ve painted like this people are incredibly friendly and the interaction with them joyful. And aren’t those times the slices from the pie of life of which we all want more? 🙂

~ John Essex II is a retired art teacher who now lives what he calls the “beatnik artist’s life”. He is a two-time Lilly Teacher Creativity Fellow and an Indy Arts Council (Arts Council of Indianapolis) Creative Renewal Arts Fellow. Essex is also artist/owner of EssexArt ABC, LLC through which he keeps busy creating his own fine art, creates commissioned art, does caricaturing by commission and at special events, conducts private painting parties and is contacted regularly to play the bagpipes (yes… play the bagpipes). Essex also maintains two online print-on-demand stores where patrons can acquire gallery quality prints of his art as well as other products that feature his work. To view what Essex does, and/or to shop his online stores, go to:
https://society6.com/essexart,
http://bit.ly/TPublic_EssexArt
To keep up with Essex and what he does at EssexArt ABC, LLC, follow him on:
Facebook at, https://www.facebook.com/EssexArt,
Instagram at, https://www.instagram.com/essexart_abc (@EssexArt_ABC)
Essex is also listed in the Arts Council of Indianapolis artist directory at:
http://www.indyartsguide.org/artist/john-essex-ii/

Happy Saint Nicholas Day

Posted on December 6, 2020 by Essexart ABC

On this St. Nicholas Day I unabashedly proclaim I believe in Santa Claus. Like the editorial in the New York Sun stated in Sept. 21, 1897, “He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist…”.

As a child and brought up as a Baptist (I still am) I was not exposed much at all to the “Saints” other than in the sense of the biblical agreement that all believers are saints. Of course there were some exceptions to that in the cases of Valentine and Patrick, but neither had the special place in our home and lives as Nicholas (in the guise as Santa) did. My earliest favorite depiction (among many favorites) of St. Nicholas was, like so many kids in the early 1960s, the Coca-Cola Santa (on the right in this group of three) illustrated by Haddon Sundblom. Of course I, at that time, had never heard of Sunblom but as children we appreciate the illustration not the illustrator. Later I appreciated the work of political cartoonist Thomas Nast and his portrayals of St. Nicholas in the 1880s which were undoubtedly inspired by the poem from 1823, “A Visit from St. Nicholas” (more commonly known as “The Night Before Christmas”) by Clement Clarke Moore. As an adult artist when I became interested in the art of Orthodox Christianity icons, various depictions of Nicholas, like this one from the 13th century, became those to which I was attracted. As yet, I’ve not “written” (as icon production is called) one of St. Nicholas, but I intend to someday.

Finally, on this day dedicated to St. Nicholas, I would encourage everyone to take some time and ponder the place that saint had and has in all of our lives. Read about the life and good deeds of that early Christian bishop of Greek descent from Myra in Asia Minor, and how his life has inspired what is real joy seen in the eyes and children of all ages every December. Then understand that all the generosity and love that was the personality of Nicholas was only because of his love and devotion to the teachings and examples Jesus of Bethlehem.

Have a wonderful Christmas Season.

~ John Essex II is a retired art teacher, a two-time Lilly Teacher Creativity Fellow and an Arts Council of Indianapolis Creative Renewal Arts Fellow. He is also artist/owner of EssexArt ABC, LLC through which he keeps busy creating his own fine art, creates commissioned art, does caricaturing by commission and at special events, conducts private painting parties and is contacted regularly to play the bagpipes (yes… play the bagpipes). Essex also maintains two online print-on-demand stores where patrons can acquire gallery quality prints of his art as well as other products that feature his work. To view what Essex does, and/or to shop his online stores, go to:
https://society6.com/essexart,
http://bit.ly/TPublic_EssexArt
To keep up with Essex and what he does at EssexArt ABC, LLC, follow him on:
Facebook at, https://www.facebook.com/EssexArt,
Instagram at, https://www.instagram.com/essexart_abc (@EssexArt_ABC)
Essex is also listed in the Arts Council of Indianapolis artist directory at:
http://www.indyartsguide.org/artist/john-essex-ii/

Next Time I’ll Paint Larger

Posted on November 27, 2020 by Essexart ABC

It had been a while since I had taken my oil paints out to do some painting en plein air… or painting on-site… and for the life of me I don’t know why I waited so long.
Sure, we all get busy with the everyday, often mundane, aspects of our lives and that can keep us from taking time out for ourselves, but we should not neglect that which makes us happy. Painting en plein air, among other things, makes me happy. It’s an enjoyable experience. It’s some “me” time. For me, I have no doubt that painting en plein air releases endorphins… and that’s a good thing.
There’s a fairly new park near where I live so I decided to do my painting next to a creek there. I chose to work small, only 6″x 6″. I also chose to work later in the day which meant that my light was not going to be around for long. It wasn’t. Consequently, though so small, I had to set up on-site on two different days in order to finish my painting… which was not a bad thing.
If there is a message I’m wanting to share here, and there certainly is, seek what makes you happy. Indulge yourself in those endorphins. Of course, moderation in all things being a good rule, never neglect your responsibilities. Just consider your own well-being and happiness one of those responsibilities. In doing so, it’s highly likely you’ll find even your approach to those other responsibilities recharged in a way that increase your ability to handle them, and handle them well.
Hmmm… I got al that out of doing a small 6″x 6″ painting. It’s settled then. Next time I’m using a larger painting surface.

~ John Essex II is a retired art teacher, a two-time Lilly Teacher Creativity Fellow and an Arts Council of Indianapolis Creative Renewal Arts Fellow. He is also artist/owner of EssexArt ABC, LLC through which he keeps busy creating his own fine art, creates commissioned art, does caricaturing by commission and at special events, conducts private painting parties and is contacted regularly to play the bagpipes (yes… play the bagpipes). Essex also maintains two online print-on-demand stores where patrons can acquire gallery quality prints of his art as well as other products that feature his work.To view what Essex does, and/or to shop his online stores, go to: https://www.facebook.com/EssexArt,
https://society6.com/essexart,
http://bit.ly/TPublic_EssexArt
http://www.indyartsguide.org/artist/john-essex-ii/

John’s Pass Pelican

Posted on August 15, 2020 by Essexart ABC

A blast from the past.
This 11″x 14″ ink and watercolor was the result of a trip to John’s Pass, Florida near Treasure Island. I was sitting under the boardwalk where the shops are and was observing this pelican. Having come to this location to capture something with ink on watercolor paper, I was prepared to sketch as this big bird hung around at the dock. He didn’t seem to mind me doing this sketch of him however I sat as still as I could so as not to scare him off. Being able to do the entire sketch on the spot, I added the watercolor back in my hotel room.