The love of patterns developing from natural organic materials is what drew Jay Zinn to developing art through the oxidation process on black iron steel. After spending 20 years in décor and illustrative art, he tired of the confining details and began to explore the free-flowing technique of abstract.

As Jay began to experiment with oxidation patterns of rust on recycled steel, intermingled with colors and design, the possibilities became endless. He applies layer upon layer of oxidized patterns with different chemicals, acrylic colors, and glazing, and then finishes it off with four layers of polyurethane to prevent further oxidation and create a beautifully polished and stunning piece. No two pieces are alike because each develops in its own way through Jay’s creative eye for what pops. The process requires weeks to allow the oxidation and layering effect until the right image occurs. Then complementing colors and layers of glazing are added to flow with what the evolving image demands.

Jay discovered art on oxidized steel through Mike Elsass, a fellow artist for Penny Lane Publishing, Inc., where Jay has been licensed since the company’s inception in 1993. Prior to joining this company, he was a published and licensed artist with Arts Uniq’, Inc. Jay has produced more than 100 images for national and international markets.

Jay was born in Dayton, Ohio and raised in a small farm community. He studied at The Dayton Art Institute, the University of Cincinnati, and the Central Academy of Commercial Art in Cincinnati, Ohio. Since then, he’s studied privately under Alaskan watercolorist, Byron Birdsall, in addition to Mike Elsass.

Jay does not dabble in art alone, but is also a published author and writer, chief editor of a Christian magazine, and the senior pastor of a church in Davidson, North Carolina. He’s been happily married to his wife, Roseann, since 1974, and has two adult children and a granddaughter.