Pronounced: KEN CROW KEN

It was pronounced: Croken, like broken.

Generations ago it was Mac Cracken but to avoid Scottish/Irish/American persecution in the late 1890's, my ancestors changed it to Croken. 

By 7 years of age I knew I wanted a complete life in art and music. 
So, I liked the look and sound of Cro-Ken better!

Seriously now...
Undergraduate work, San Diego State University
Master's, N.Y.U.

My "Speed Element" palette led me outdoors
to become an environmental painter in 1979.

INTANGIBLE ENVIRONMENTAL EARTHWORK ART
The main focus in my art experience is creating
a balance between my inner and outer self
by observing the invisible forces
that shape and mold all things.

I never had to abandon painting to become an Earth Artist.

During a twelve year break between receiving my undergrad degree
and Master's, I spent much of the time painting at an outdoor studio
by a creek in Santa Barbara, a waterfall in San Diego, a Long Island studio and now, on location or on a roof garden studio in the East Village . 
I was able to observe nature, paint in nature, and write about my
wanderings to and from convention paints and methods.

Freeze drying paint from the St. Patrick's Weekend Snow Painting and DVD, March 2007

The elements help me to create an illusion of the elements.

"How something appears depends
on how long one takes to observe."
- Emerson -

Please have a look at some of my paintings
by clicking on the "PAINTING GALLERY" tab above.