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by Jim Stratton
(Florence, S.C. USA)

I have been painting in oils since 1966. Since then, I have done approximately 2,000 completed works. I paint in many different styles, but mostly concentrate in naturalism and modern impressionism.
I have had several one-person exhibitions in my home state of South Carolina, and have been teaching painting techniques and drawing for 40 years now. I have private students who come to my home studio for lessons each week.
I love to share what I know about composing pictures, color theory, perspective, and other facets of art with others.
I am a published author ("Waist Deep in Broom Sedge" and "Veiw from My Easel").
I was born in Hartsville, S.C. on Dec. 25, 1947, and now reside in Florence, S.C. with my wife, Rebecca. We have 3 daughters, Elle Poindexter (Portland, Oregon), Emily Pearson (Colorado Springs, Colorado), and Jennifer Do (El Paso, Texas).

Here are a few things to remember as you start out on your journey in painting.
1. Painting is much easier, if you learn to draw reasonably well. Practice and more practice...study perspective. It will separate you from those who don't know how to use it, and it will release you from making lots of mistakes that make your paintings unrealistic.
2. Experiment with different techniques, styles, methods, and find your niche and what you really want to paint, but learn the tried-and-true methods of painters who learned by the mistakes and successes of the past.
3. Take lessons and don't be afraid of listening to others, but most of all, paint often.

Jim Stratton