Blog Posts - Laura Jeanne Grimes, artist

Experimenting with palettes

2/3/2019

Here are a few sketches, using different palettes

A garnet-inspired palette for a portrait of a dog is somewhat counter-intuitive, but I believe it worked out with this piece, "Portrat of Babka." As always, drawn freehand on my iPad Pro, using the Sketch Club app.

I experimented with the garnet palette in this portrait of my husband, watching TV. This sketch from life. Drawn freehand on my iPad Pro using the Sketch Club app.

And, again from life, here a palette of mostly blues. Drawn freehand on my iPad Pro, using the Sketch Club app.

Here, a palette of mostly browns. Again from life. Drawn freehand on my iPad Pro.

Limited palette can bring a sense of unity to a piece, and is a nice challenge for the artist as well.

Sketching at Art Museums

11/11/2018

I have a habit when I visit art museums of picking one or two artworks to sketch while I am there. You learn so much by copying the Old (and not so old) Masters. By necessity, each of these were drawn within less than an hour. At a certain point, my back and feet just can't handle standing any more. All these were drawn freehand on iPad, using the Sketch Club app.

Based on a terra cotta bust of Isabella d'Este by Gian Cristoforo Romanov (1465-1512) at the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, TX,

Based on the painting "Marsh Mallows" by British Impressionist artist Laura Knight (1887-1970)

Based on a statue of a Standing Bodhsattva at the Kimbell Art Musuem.

Based on a sculpted self portrait, by Marion Koogler McNay, at the McNay Museum in San Antonio.

A quick 10-minute sketch of a plaster cast.

Based on the statue of an Angel by Michelangelo in the Basilica of San Domenico in Bologna Italy.

Based on a 6-foot tall ancient Greek bronze at an exhibit in Florence, Italy. Very few of those ancient bronzes survive. Most were melted down to make armaments, doors, things of that nature. Breaks our hearts today, but people tend to be pragmatic at the time. It's only later that we realize what has been lost.

Recent photography

11/2/2018

I do enjoy walking with the dog, stopping to take pictures along the way. Here are three recent sunflower photos. And, a quote: "Never look directly at the sun. Instead, look at the sunflower." Vera Nazarian

Sunflower

Another sunflower

Rain lily between sunflower petals

Recent photography

7/28/2018

All these shots taken with my iPhone 7 Plus and edited in multiple apps. I take photos on my walks with my dog, and I like to go off the beaten path.

Mushrooms

(They look like umbrellas, don't they!"

The wildflower known as Mexican Hat

Dew on Lamb's Ear

Bluebonnet

Self Portrait

March 04th, 2018

3/4/2018

Just for fun

Sometimes, art just needs to be fun!
(As always, I drew these freehand on my iPad Pro using the Sketch Club app)

Blue Dog

Blue Dog is based on the painting The Blue Boy by Thomas Gainsborough, 1770. It was once the most famous painting in the Western world, and I remember my grandmother had a reproduction of it, alongside a reproduction of the painting Pinkie, by Sarah Barrett Moulton. Now, they are out of fashion, as happens with artworks, but who knows, they might come back around. (Just like torn jeans came back.)

Dog in a Blue Suit

Working from life

8/25/2017

Although I will work from photos, I so enjoy working from life. The freshness and spontaneity, the connection with the subject, provide such delight. Here are a few recent works from life. All drawing freehand on my iPad Pro, Apple Pencil between my fingers, using the Sketch Club app, one of the underrated art apps, and one I truly like. Here are a few recent sketches, from life.

Bridgette

Archie

Yelena

Mom and baby at the coffee shop

Self-Portrait after a fall

8/11/2017

Wouldn't it be great if it healed into a Harry Potter scar?

Fell on a trail and hit my head SMACK on a tree stump. I was a lucky, lucky girl. No broken bones. No brain injury. Yes, I am a very lucky girl!

The bluebonnets came early this Spring

4/5/2017

The bluebonnets came early to Central Texas this Spring, blooming in profusion, so many, I found a few of the uncommon mutations, as well as some maroon bluebonnets, developed at Texas A&M. Those I found blooming on the grass by the parking lot of a mall Most likely an Aggie came along and strew the seeds at just the right time of year. I took these photos with my iPhone 5S, the Schneider Optics iPro macro lens attached, shot and edited with the Camera+ app.

Current series

12/28/2016

Muslim Mother and Child

I continue to work on my series of women wearing the hijab. Almost all of the references come from the Sktchy app for iPhone/iPad. I began this series as my personal statement of solidarity with those that a certain segment of the Western populations consider Other and therefore Dangerous and Undesirable. I find myself baffled by what part of "Love they neighbor as thyself" is hard to understand. But, of course, some object, "Who is my neighbor?", trying to narrow down the field.

I continue to draw/paint freehand, on my iPad Pro, using the Sketch Club app and a stylus.

Amrh

Current series

11/23/2016

I have been working on a series featuring women wearing the hijab. Lately, I'm incorporating the hand gesture known as the Peace Sign. This series is my mild-mannered statement against xenophobia. All created on my iPad Pro, using the Sketch Club app. Freehand digital paintings. Here are a few recent examples.

Lina

Nazifa

Nazifa

All references from the Sktchy app. Find it at the App Store, or check out the website: http://sktchy.com