Jaq Grantford Fine Art

Australian Artist Jaq Grantford's work

[jaq-grantford]

I had the pleasure of interviewing @malchambers for my Meet the Artist series. He's such a fantastic artist and a delightful human. He shares his process when painting, life as an artist during COVID, influences and technique. Here's a link to the interview. https://youtu.be/5eiTFIHUKkc And you can check out his work on his website https://www.malchambersart.com/ And one more link - anyone interested in learning how to teach art check out www.theartofteaching.com.au (Mals' interview isn't about this, but he does share his influences when learning about art) #australianartist #malchambers #portraiture #paintingbirds #realisminart #fuzzyedges #waterbasedoils #figurativeart #australianportraiture https://www.instagram.com/p/CGzQSQKDMZ1/?igshid=g5834eqmdy9o

[jaq-grantford]

Portrait of my mum completed. Called, 'Beautiful at Eighty'. As are most women, I think. #beautifulat80 #beautifulwomen #womenscareersofpast #portraits #australianartist #violinist #violin #womeninmusic #realisticart #figurativeart #lovemymum #womenmusiciansinthe60s #careerorfamily #paintingmymum #melancholy https://www.instagram.com/p/CGOY2YfDU4b/?igshid=11vx05pes4026

[jaq-grantford]

I'm delighted that I've been asked to exhibit next year at the MEAM (the most beautiful art museum in Barcelona) along with 70 other women artists for International Women's Day. This feels particularly special as it's such a worthy thing to celebrate. The image here isn’t the one for the exhibition (not sure what I’ll paint yet!) but it seemed appropriate as it’s a woman expressing freedon. So here's a few key facts that I found interesting and copied from Wikipedia about International Women's Day... ·    The earliest Women's Day observance, called "National Woman's Day," was held on February 28, 1909, in New York City, organized by the Socialist Party of America at the suggestion of activist Theresa Malkiel ·   The day remained predominantly a communist holiday until about 1967 when it was taken up by second-wave feminists.The day re-emerged as a day of activism, and is sometimes known in Europe as the "Women's International Day of Struggle". ·   In the 1970s and 1980s, women's groups were joined by leftists and labor organizations in calling for equal pay, equal economic opportunity, equal legal rights, reproductive rights, subsidized child care, and the prevention of violence against women. We are still fighting these battles, but we’ve won manyThe United Nations began celebrating International Women's Day in the International Women's Year, 1975. ·  The day is an official holiday in many countries ·  In some countries, such as Cameroon, Croatia, Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria and Chile, the day is not a public holiday, but it is customary for men to give the women in their lives – friends, mothers, wives etc. – flowers and small gifts (although to many this seems to miss the point). #womensrights #womensrightsarehumanrights #womensrightsmovement #womensrightsnews #realisticart #realisticartist #realisticartwork #realisticarts #figurativeart #figurative #figurativepainting #figurativedrawing #figurativeportrait #australianartist #australianart #australianartinspain #australianartistabroad #australianarts #InternationalWomensDay #internationalwomensday2016 #internationalwomensday20 @museumeam @artelibre10 https://www.instagram.com/p/CFvldYEjbjf/?igshid=jyshhfvrvzho

[jaq-grantford]

My next interview in the Meet the Artist series is with Jack MacCrae. We met at the Nes Art residency in Iceland and were both vegan Aussie's called Jack/Jaq. I'm hoping to interview all the other amazing artists I met there as well. Jack's style is super streamlined and he takes only the essential lines in a landscape to create dynamic works full of vibrant colour. Here’s the link to the video https://youtu.be/jPE3ZtNIipc #meettheartist #australianartist #streamlinedart @hell_ripper_boy_jack #leadinglines #colourfulart #interviewswithaustralianartist https://www.instagram.com/p/CFEtzWiDdD7/?igshid=bpr00ampbag7

[jaq-grantford]

Portrait of the very beautiful, Lisa McManus. It was a real priveledge and pleasure to paint Lisa. She was born with unformed arms due to the drug thalidomide which was prescribed to women in the early 60s for anxiety when they were pregnant. They discovered that it was causing babies to be born with disabilities. The government knew about this for 6 months before they warned people and took it off the market. Lisa's mum took only 2 tablets. Lisa has been fighting to have the rights of the children born with disabilities recognised by the government. There was a brilliant episode about her on Australian Story that goes into Lisa's story and her fight in more details. https://www.abc.net.au/austory/a-bitter-pill/10875902 # Thalidomide#portraiture #fightingspirit #thalidaomidebabies #realisminportraiture #figurativerealism https://www.instagram.com/p/CD5eRwRjllQ/?igshid=kyi7uf1c9sn3

[jaq-grantford]

Close to finished. I got my sculpture back from Northcote so I can finish at home. And took photos of the model last week. So I should be all set to finish it now. A few commissions to do in between but not too far off. @arte_magazine @lets_talk_about_art @theartdistricts @artwork_inspirations @that_greatart #contemporaryart #contemporaryartist #artcontemporain #artcollector #contemporarypainting #figurative #realisminart #portraitart #artstudio #artcollection #australianartist #figurativerealisem #australiansculpture #fugurativesculpture. https://www.instagram.com/p/CDsdN8pjo1J/?igshid=jtl1o91dmkyu

[jaq-grantford]

A work in progress. My mum, beautiful at 80 @arte_magazine @lets_talk_about_art @theartdistricts @artzoom @artwork_inspirations @that_greatart #contemporaryart #contemporaryartist #artcontemporain #artcollector #contemporarypainting #figurative #realisminart #portraitart #artstudio #artcollection #australianartist #figurativerealisem #lovemymum #paintingmymum #beautifulat80 https://www.instagram.com/p/CDgUccJjJA1/?igshid=2eetm7jt34o4

[jaq-grantford]

Close up of a portrait of Lisa MacManus. I can't show too much as she hasn't seen it yet, but hopefully, she'll be able to come soon to have the unveiling. Lisa was born with unformed arms due to the drug thalidomide which was prescribed to women in the late 60s and 70s for anxiety when they were pregnant. They discovered that it was causing babies to be born with disabilities. The government knew about this for 6 months before they warned people and took it off the market. Lisa's mum took only 2 tablets. Once Lisa has seen the portrait I'll show the full painting on Instagram/Facebook. @arte_magazine @lets_talk_about_art @theartdistricts @artzoom @artwork_inspirations @that_greatart #contemporaryart #contemporaryartist #artcontemporain #artcollector #contemporarypainting #figurative #realisminart #portraitart #artstudio #artcollection #australianartist #figurativerealisem #jaqgrantford https://www.instagram.com/p/CDYpyUTD3Y4/?igshid=s1o8rjj4ncul

[jaq-grantford]

I now have prints available for sale via www.myfineartprints.com The site has lots of my work there and these prints shown here are a blast from the past - one of my fairy pieces that can be bought together or separately. All prints are beautifully printed on gorgeous paper, so thank you Image Science who print for me, and they are signed and numbered. (You can find these prints under the fantasy section on the website for any who are interested) The link to the site is also in my bio. #fairies #variousfaerious #figurativeart #fantasy #jaqgrantford #orange #bookart #magical #limitededitionprints #artforfairylovers #fairylights #eyes #blink https://www.instagram.com/p/CB4PO4jDKmp/?igshid=k3rncgwhjbpw

[jaq-grantford]

So following up on my previous post, here is the proof that Webster M Schmoozle is perfectly gorgeous and not demonic at all. He's part Maine Coone so the vet tells me, with large paws and a slightly jejune personality. He has no idea what's going on but plods about the house so amicably you couldn't possibly care. (Like the word jejune? I just learnt it so pleased to pop it in a sentence. Hopefully used correctly!) #fluffycatbum #studiocat #webstermschmoozle #cats #cat_features #catloversclub #cats_of_world #bestcats_oftheworld #instacat_meows #magnificent_meowdels #catsofinstagram #artistsandtheircats #catsandmuses #thecatsmuse #catonachairtoosmall #catmidyawn #jejunecat #toocuteforwords #aploddingcat https://www.instagram.com/p/CBj4PDaDVTk/?igshid=848en970e5ge

[jaq-grantford]

Webster M Schoozle, the studio cat, caught mid-yawn.He's not the devil's cat, I promise. Although the other studio cat may disagree with me. And he is quite cheeky. Tomorrow I'll post him looking adorable so you'll see how plumpicious and cute he is.He's sitting on the chair that's far too small for him to make a point to the other cat who stole his large chair that comfortably seats his ample and fluffy bottom. #fluffycatbum #studiocat #webstermschmoozle #cats #cat_features #catloversclub #cats_of_world #bestcats_oftheworld #instacat_meows #magnificent_meowdels #catsofinstagram #artistsandtheircats #catsandmuses #thecatsmuse #catonachairtoosmall #catmidyawn https://www.instagram.com/p/CBfPbO9g-np/?igshid=e3geyoxbr7e

[jaq-grantford]

Here's a little bit of whimsy (Graphite on paper) taken from a scene in Little Women. One of my absolute fav books growing up, along with The Silver Brumby and Mary Grant Bruce. Gosh, I love to read. And I don't to read so much now which makes me sad. But I listen as I paint and that's a wonderful joy. Haven't seen the movie yet but hear it's brilliant. I'd say don't tell me what happens but I already know. One of those stories you can see/watch/hear a million times. Also loved Good Wives the sequel. Although the title does aggravate my feminist side even though I understand the era from whence it came. Love to see a book called, Good Obedient Male Person. Although I have just discovered 2 other books were written, Little Men and Jo's boys which I now must read. #littlewomen #brilliantbooks #graphitedrawing #surrealism #obedientmen #contemporaryart #drawing #graphite #surreal #surrealist #surrealart #LouisaMayAlcott #jaqgrantford #australianartist #sketchaday #draw #dailysketch #dailyart #sketchdaily #surrealismo #pencilart #drawingskills #bookillustration #dailydrawing #draweveryday #drawingoftheday #drawingaday #illustrationoftheday #drawings #instartlovers https://www.instagram.com/p/CBbyYeVDKfi/?igshid=1gob04n6jx7sy

[jaq-grantford]

Miss Caramel perches while her mother paints! Reposted from @catsconservatory https://www.instagram.com/p/CBZ8E8Gjtpc/?igshid=1j97z6rs3ofp1

[jaq-grantford]

This is a little gruesome, I know. Dead hand 8" x 10" Oil on Canvas.A number of years ago I had an exhibition of hands of people with interesting stories.And dead hands made it in. I went to a dissecting place - can't remember the name now, so a million apologies to the people who were so helpful there.And I saw the process and it was really fascinating. I did feel I tapped into the Renaissance painters a little with their research in human form. And after I did look around a little to see if there was an artists' dissecting workshop so I could really see how all the muscles works which would be really helpful for figure and life drawings. Alas, no. Maybe a good thing, as seeing the hand was disturbing enough. #deadaf #dissectedhand #jaqgrantford #dissection #handstellastory #instaartwork #realistart #myartwork #instaarte #iloveart #instaarts #artinfo #paints #painters #weirdpaintings #artstagram #arts_gallery #instaartistic https://www.instagram.com/p/CBZqdF6johU/?igshid=ksigcxd6dt8r

[jaq-grantford]

A little foray into my imagination. Oil on Canvas 90cm x 60cm.To me, this painting talks of birth. A weird strange journey.I remember when I was pregnant with Jake one of the things I found the strangest about it all was that my body was no longer just mine. It really messed with my sense of identity for a little while. We grow up thinking of our bodies as such a significant part of self - how people see us, how we see ourselves. And that was all undone with a single little bun in the oven. But what a delightful bun. And questioning that sense of self was a really healthy thing for me to do. #questioning #pregnancy #jaqgrantford #senseofself #maternity #identity #surrealism #surrealist #artists #sketchaday #surrealjourney #artistsoninstagram #surreal #artworks #questioningidentity #artistsofinstagram #artoftheday #artofinstagram #arts_gallery #surrealart #art_spotlight #artsanity #artstagram #artcollective #myartwork #instaartwork #iloveart https://www.instagram.com/p/CBXTItMDxqh/?igshid=1ckif1q263zxv

[jaq-grantford]

So here is Paul Mercurio and it's super big. 7ft tall. This painting got into the Black Swan Portrait Prize many, many years ago which was really significant for me. It was the first time I had gotten into an art prize and gave me a real boost to believing in my art. Love the Black Swan aka Lester Prize. It was Paul's idea to crouch like that which gave the painting more movement. Love it when it becomes a collaborative process. Paul is cooking up some delicious treats on his page if you want to check it out @paul_mercurio_official #portrait #paulmercurio #dancer #oilportrait #dancerturnedchef #realistartist #realism #oilpainting #figurativeart #lesterprize @thelesterprize #blackswanprize #lesterprize #shadowbehindtheman #prize #blackswanportraitprize #lesterprize @thelesterprize #discoverportrait #theportraitpr0ject #flexible #humanedge #figurative https://www.instagram.com/p/CBSLd7uDqdG/?igshid=1aj1c30lizeqm

[jaq-grantford]

I have a new blog! Actually it's old blog but I hadn't posted in it for 5 years and I guess that's what isolation does - mixes things up a little. So it's baaaaaack! It's looking back at some old work at this stage and the first post in it is about a beautiful friendship.The painting is of the hands of Monika and Mr Connard. Go and check it out because the story of Monica and Mr Connrard is a beautiful story. Here's the blog https://www.jaqgrantford.com/blog/ (And if you ever lose it it's on my website under the about me bit) #contemporaryart #friendship #friendsforlife #friendsgiving #friendshipismagic #lostandfound #hands #jaqgrantford @ #friends4ever #Realisminart #RealisticArt #together #myfriend #beautifulstories # https://www.instagram.com/p/CA6eMhsD8xY/?igshid=c1nitr5agvja