BRIAN GRIMM
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"There"

3/7/2018

 
I'm back in the studio and at it. I've lived with a sketch I just have to paint! 
I'll post some pics soon, but I have several upcoming reference trips. I can never have enough reference. Back in 1990's when I began my art career in earnest, I used a 35mm film camera. I couldn't afford a long telephoto lens, but I made do. I mark those print photos among my most treasured possessions! 
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There is something stimulating about having these in hand. Holding them puts me there at that moment. Those memories are powerful!
I have flipped through them many times but I always get new inspiration. There is always another story of nature to be told in the paint. 
Digital cameras are convenient and I have moved on to several. I have ordered prints but it just isn't the same. The digital cameras give amazing detail but I rely on my plein air studies for the feeling. I always have.
Nature is grand and unpredictable, a stark contrast to the order and regiment we can encounter in life. We have to-do lists, work-out regiments, and schedules. The biggest compliment I am paid is when a collector has placed my painting in their office or home and tells me looking at it takes them "there".  I get it and I'm completely honored! 
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Recently viewed needing to be placed back in their proper place. I am particular about my reference!

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"La Gran Sombra"

2/6/2018

 
Texas Masters Show at InSight Gallery, March 2, 2018
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"La Gran Sombra" (The Big Shadow) 22" x 28" oil/board  InSight Gallery - Texas Masters Show
Texas Masters Show
I'm honored and very much look forward to participating in the Texas Masters Show. After much thought, I decided to paint an elk piece and several more "local" scenes. 
 This painting is of a South Texas whitetail from a friend's ranch near Cotulla, TX. Two items set this painting into motion, the whitetail buck and the large acacia tree, (Huisache) he is emerging from behind. 

The largest of these bucks instinctively hug the shadows of very early morning or late day, when the shadows become great. The thick expanse of brush south of San Antonio offer ample cover. 


 I really enjoy the raw beauty of the Brush Country. There is a peace that comes over me sitting in the stand and yet when an animal emerges my heart races with excitement. The camera captures the details and my paint records in sketch, the energy and emotion of the moment.
I can't tell you how many times I revised the drawing for this buck. I took it to different easels, different rooms, in the frame and without. After a break, I'd go back to wipe him clean and begin again. I was determined not to begin painting until I was fully satisfied.
One slight shift of the leg and he was too tense. After much tweaking, I was ready to paint!
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A quick pic framed. I tried to work out all the problems at the sketch stage so I could enjoy the actual painting process. Nonetheless, inevitably there is always something to fix in the end.

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Alaska Painting
Bison
Caribou
Christmas
Commission
Elk
InSight Gallery
Legacy Gallery
Longhorns
Moose
Plein Air Studies
Pronghorn Painting
Quail
Settlers West Gallery
Texas Painting
TOJ
Turkey Painting
Whitetail Painting

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Off the Easel

1/16/2018

 
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"Ridgetop Morning" 9" x 12 oil/board
Just crated these for Settlers West American Miniatures Show. The Mule deer is from a recent research trip. Light is an important factor in my paintings. On this one, my aim was the morning light. I had followed this buck and sensed he was getting impatient with his quest for the does. It made sense he was going to crest this hill. The lighting was great, my model was superb and I was in position. The does meandered down the hill and out of view, but their addition to the scene was crucial to the painting.
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"Jumping Jack" 9" x 12" oil/board
I am a fan of these fierce little rascals.  ​They are able to thrive in the most inhospitable of areas of the American Southwest. Although correct to my reference, (I measured multiple times!) I decided this hare's ears were not long enough to convey the iconic jackrabbit look so I lengthened them.
I have several larger paintings in progress, so I set this up in a corner of the studio. I am simply working nuances at this point and picking at things that later would irritate only me.

​As it turned out, there is a subtlety  that I get a kick out of. I left it. There was an energy in my paint stroke when I laid in the paint between the rabbit's ears. I'm not one to get overly analytical but these light "squiggles" that happened by pure chance, delight me. The spontaneous energy, like an old tv's rabbit ear antennae seemed absolutely appropriate for the painting. I thank God when these happy gifts happen.
​
Stay tuned!

Categories

All
Alaska Painting
Bison
Caribou
Christmas
Commission
Elk
InSight Gallery
Legacy Gallery
Longhorns
Moose
Plein Air Studies
Pronghorn Painting
Quail
Settlers West Gallery
Texas Painting
TOJ
Turkey Painting
Whitetail Painting

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Inspiration from horse racing:  "and...Major Masterpiece has fled the scene!!"

12/18/2017

 
I'm keeping several paintings under wrap. I'm doing this more lately...living with them. Getting to the point without forcing. Letting the painting slowly develop with careful editing. It's an easier thing to do now at forty-nine. 
"Gillespie Gold" was such a painting.
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"Gillespie Gold" 22" x 35" 
Another example that I held on to before releasing was "Timber's Edge". 
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"Timbers Edge" 24"x36" 
I currently have three paintings I have been toggling. Not ready to show; they're months in the making. I rack myself making certain I won't later regret them leaving my hands. This is more than income. Art represents beauty, order, nature and all that is good. I deeply regret when I don't hold up my end in some small way. Comment and critique are for others to decide merit. I have to hold to the standards I set. To pull from a previous post, "run the good race".

Inspiration comes from the strangest of places! Recently I found Valisa watching harness horse racing on one of those upper cable channels. It was unusual enough to stop me. In 14 years, I have never seen her do this. Valisa grew up in Florida and her dad liked visiting the racetracks and jai alai. She was caught in a nostalgic moment.

These horses are incredible athletes with graceful long strides reaching speeds of 30mph. The race went the first lap without a break-away. The jockeys (called drivers) were obviously holding back. One name stuck out, Major Masterpiece. Very cool name! By the second lap, I found myself rooting for this horse on name alone. 

That is what we artist yearn for, Major Masterpiece! If we paint it all the better, but someone, step up! Paint, make it count! 

Lost in the moment I thought, "GO!"...Major Masterpiece was well behind but in a flash bolted to the lead. He was flying. The announcer was hyped with excitement as Major Masterpiece crossed to win. With the quintessential snap of a 1940's radio announcer, he proclaimed, "Major Masterpiece has fled the scene!" 

It all resonated so well! Such a springboard of inspiration from such an unlikely source. I remind myself, good things are worth waiting for. With fresh eyes and renewed spirit, I go back to the studio.
Stay tuned!


Categories

All
Alaska Painting
Bison
Caribou
Christmas
Commission
Elk
InSight Gallery
Legacy Gallery
Longhorns
Moose
Plein Air Studies
Pronghorn Painting
Quail
Settlers West Gallery
Texas Painting
TOJ
Turkey Painting
Whitetail Painting

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Looking at old things in a new way...

8/22/2017

 
In the studio and attempting to not get distracted by the whitetail fending off deer flies outside the window and the marvelous hot day we are experiencing. I like the heat, but this day I'm going through ideas based on cooler climates.
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Caribou stately crowned in velvet.
When we took to the Alcan Hwy back in 2012, the area had experienced one of the hardest winters on record. We arrived late  June and spent time gathering reference until late September. I sent paintings to the galleries from the road and finished a pronghorn commission in Fairbanks.
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With our blind miniature Cocker Spaniel, Violet, rescued from Fredericksburg's SPCA, Valisa and I checked off the Dalton Hwy.
We stayed at a campground between Fairbanks and Chena and found military bases Fort Wainwright and Eielson AFB paid military families a stipend to stay at the campground as temporary housing. Painting under the awning of our camper, I attracted much attention. Most of the locals had not traveled to the lower 48 and were more familiar with caribou than cattle. It made for good conversations and fond memories. ​​
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Our sons were in college and worked over the summer, but they, along with Valisa's mom, visited us for a couple of weeks.
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Moose are perhaps a more desirable subject matter. 
The surreal beauty of Mt. Denali, incomprehensible til viewed in person.
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Ever changing weather forced me to move into the SUV to finish a field study. Then of course the sun would return!
Now back to the work at hand, I flip through rough sketches I did at that time and instantly sparks fly. Ideas that were doodled out form much clearer. Direction is a powerful tool. Proof is always in the painting. Legendary wildlife art dealer, Bubba Wood stressed to me, "You're only as good as your last painting." I guess you could take that as a compliment or an insult, but I always took that as a challenge.

Time to let go without letting go and let the art fly.
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Categories

All
Alaska Painting
Bison
Caribou
Christmas
Commission
Elk
InSight Gallery
Legacy Gallery
Longhorns
Moose
Plein Air Studies
Pronghorn Painting
Quail
Settlers West Gallery
Texas Painting
TOJ
Turkey Painting
Whitetail Painting

View my profile on LinkedIn

"A Good Reminder"

8/14/2017

 
On occasion I remember to keep it simple. I have an old paint box that I use for plein air studies. Back when I began in earnest around 2000 I crafted it to fit my needs. It is simple, nothing fancy. It connects to a tripod, is lightweight, sturdy and frankly not the best looking.
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 I could get a new one, not retrofitted, more adjustable maybe with more options for convenience. My wife wants to get me a new one each Christmas. But I can't part with this "old box". This companion has traveled many miles with me. We have memories, a history together creating many souvenirs of experiences in nature. But more importantly it is an important reminder that it really is about the art, the paint and the artist's vision. My vision. 
Western artist and fellow resident Texan, Roy Anderson once said, there are no art police. Not an exact quote, but the fact stuck with me. The easel is not going to make your idea any worse or better. It won't improve the quality of the painting. My trusty old box reminds me of these truths. Although I do a lot of studio work these days, I always look forward to weekly dates with my old friend.
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Categories

All
Alaska Painting
Bison
Caribou
Christmas
Commission
Elk
InSight Gallery
Legacy Gallery
Longhorns
Moose
Plein Air Studies
Pronghorn Painting
Quail
Settlers West Gallery
Texas Painting
TOJ
Turkey Painting
Whitetail Painting

"Storm Watchers" pronghorn completed

8/5/2017

 
It all went well.  I was satisfied where these pronghorn were leading me. At the design stage, I was toying with the idea of placing this solidly in the Trans-Pecos region of Texas. I decided to save that for another painting. The mood fixed itself straight away. No sense cluttering the message. 

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InSight Gallery
​Fall Show
"Storm Watchers" 20" x 30"
​ InSight Gallery Fall Show Sept. 1.

Categories

All
Alaska Painting
Bison
Caribou
Christmas
Commission
Elk
InSight Gallery
Legacy Gallery
Longhorns
Moose
Plein Air Studies
Pronghorn Painting
Quail
Settlers West Gallery
Texas Painting
TOJ
Turkey Painting
Whitetail Painting

View my profile on LinkedIn

A Real Favorite

7/29/2017

 
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Behind the bison, perhaps no animal quite represents the lore of the West like the pronghorn. A true American original, this amazing creature became a favorite subject matter of mine early on. This painting will be @ InSight Gallery for their Fall Show, September 1st.​
InSight Gallery​

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This is day two but reflects days of reference gathering, pléin air painting, research, and designing. The sketch may appear fairly vague. I'm working out some of the finer details on the board.
 

​I resisted from going too far on this sketch. This can be a tricky decision, at least for me it can be. If I'm too eager, I could miss a crucial aspect, revealing a flaw in the end, wasting days if not the painting entirely. But, if I go too in depth, churning endlessly on a design, the painting can have a calculated and non-atmospheric edge. This is just as unsuccessful.
​Here's the sketch...

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I've taken thousands of pronghorn photographs in the field and have great reference. The numbers you see indicate my photo files. I tweaked gestures, eliminating some and checking those I'll use. I have a thorough understanding of the mood I want the painting to convey, atmosphere, palette. I am leaving room for happy discoveries,  nuances that happen when you quit thinking. I use a similar process in each painting. I tend to continue to sketch and design until I fully grasp in my head what the painting will look like. I'll update once completed.  Thanks, for reading!
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Categories

All
Alaska Painting
Bison
Caribou
Christmas
Commission
Elk
InSight Gallery
Legacy Gallery
Longhorns
Moose
Plein Air Studies
Pronghorn Painting
Quail
Settlers West Gallery
Texas Painting
TOJ
Turkey Painting
Whitetail Painting

View my profile on LinkedIn

"Gillespie Gold"

7/10/2017

 
"Gillespie Gold" was in many ways a return to my roots...
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The Texas Hill Country has a rugged beauty that is ripe with wildlife.  Although this could very well be anywhere in the Hill Country, this scene is west of Fredericksburg in Gillespie County before the Mason County line.  
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Return to Texas Hill Country

6/20/2017

 
Can't believe how fast time is passing. After focusing spring on paintings for Legacy Gallery in Jackson Hole, I am back in Texas getting inspired for the next painting, a whitetail piece for Insight Gallery. Like many of my paintings, I've tinkered with this design in my mind for a while. 
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I have a faint grid drawing, have the general design sketched in charcoal and refined it. After the initial drawing, I decided I didn't like the buck's back legs stretched quite so far out and moved them in slightly. Also, initially the closest doe was in a different position. At this point, I have my color wash down but found a couple of things I wanted to tweak. I left it overnight to come back with fresh eyes this morning. (note: coffee cup on easel.) Overall satisfied, I wanted to take a look at it in a frame I was considering. I will review it after finished and decide if a new frame is in order. Behind me are small plein air studies and my sketch that will work as a guide throughout painting.

Categories

All
Alaska Painting
Bison
Caribou
Christmas
Commission
Elk
InSight Gallery
Legacy Gallery
Longhorns
Moose
Plein Air Studies
Pronghorn Painting
Quail
Settlers West Gallery
Texas Painting
TOJ
Turkey Painting
Whitetail Painting

View my profile on LinkedIn
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    Brian Grimm

    Painter of western wildlife and landscapes, constantly seeking to balance impressionism and realism sans trickery. Brian works as a full time artist in Central Texas. Exhibited at Rockwell Museum, Briscoe Museum, National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, and National Museum of Wildlife Art.
    Brian has been featured in Western Art and Architecture, Art of the West, Southwest Art and Western Art Collector magazines.

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    Texas Painting
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    Whitetail Painting

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©2023 Brian Grimm  All images are strictly reserved and copyrighted by the artist. For more information on usage and licensing please contact the artist.
Contact the Artist
BrianGrimmArt@gmail.com
830.456.6809
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