I studied two things in college — art and computer science. Which do you think paid better? 😂 After a career in technology, I’ve picked up my paintbrush again and found happiness and peace of mind.
I grew up in the house of an artist. For my entire life I was surrounded by my mother’s paintings, drawings and art books. Needless to say, I picked up drawing at a young age. During art school I never had a lot of patience for painting. I found it too fussy and unforgiving. Nowadays, I have more wisdom and I’ve grown to love the craft of producing a finished painting.
I paint original paintings on archival quality hardboard panels using the best quality acrylic paints. My subjects usually involve the natural world, but often include a hint that humans are there, too.
Frequently Asked ArtIST Questions
How long have you been painting?
Even though I studied art in college, I had a terrible time painting. I actually flunked. I just had zero patience for it. In 2016, I tried again and found something I truly love.
Why do you paint the way you paint?
Some years back I was obsessed with the idea of building a robot that could paint. There’s a lot to think about there, but a big part was deeply understanding the craft of painting. As I went down that rabbit hole, I ended up discovering how much I enjoy painting. A lot of my technique relies on the idea of reducing information down to just what is necessary.
How many paintings do you make a year?
I try hard to produce 1-2 new paintings each week.
Why do you use Acrylic?
My studio is in my home and I don't want the fumes associated with oils. Acrylics also do what I want them to do. I like to work fast and blend as little as possible. Because acrylic paints dry so fast, I can add many layers of paint quickly.
How do you price your paintings?
I charge by the square inch. I feel this is the most consistent and fair way to charge. Every six months I reassess my prices and have steadily been increasing them every year.
Do you do commissions?
Yes, when it makes sense. I only take on a handful of commissions each year. I prefer to do work that fits into the rest of my themes and style. If you have an inspiring place or subject, I’m happy to take a look! I enjoy talking about what makes a great painting and what the subject means to a client.
Do you offer workshops?
For the first time ever I’m launching The Landscape Painting Studio. All this year I’ll be releasing on demand video lessons, tips and guides that cover everything I’ve learned in the last seven years. I started as a hobby painter and now I have a huge following and sell thousands of dollars in paintings and prints every month.
I’ll show you how I create my paintings and how I sell them. More info at JimMusil.com/learn.