#jaqgrantford

[jaq-grantford]

Close up of the larger painting of Jeffah. What a life he has had! Despite such a long struggle he is so full of optimism and a giving spirit to others. After 21 years as a refugee, he has 6 kids (busy man) and now works with multiculural youth as a project officer. #jeffah #jaqgrantford #portrait art #realism #refugees #multiculturalyouth #australianrefugees #helpingothers #boldbrush #modernartist #realistart #originalart #originalartworks #originalartist #artsanity #artsy  #modernart #artcurator #boldbrush #rosemarybrushes #richesonart #art_enlighten #portraitpainting #portraitartist #oilportrait#creative_uprising  #art_collective #artcurator #paintanyway #brushstrokes #artistsoninstagram #contemporaryart #artistsofinstagram #artoftheday https://www.instagram.com/p/BxEE3HZlv9O/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=15pdqhlt5ec8v

[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]

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]

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]

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

[jaq-grantford]

Commission from a little while ago and all the things in the background are a montage of things that were important to him. It was just a little painting, but sometimes popping a portrait in a small space you have in your house is rather nice. #commissions #traditionalart #commission #portraitartist #jaqgrantford #instaartwork #collageart #realisticportraiture #traditionaldrawing #instaartoftheday #instaarts #myartwork #instaartistic #iloveart #artist_sharing #proartists #artistshouts #portraitartist #commissionaportrait #artforsale # #instaarthub #artists_magazine #collectable https://www.instagram.com/p/CAb2OqBgw1_/?igshid=1j5nlqfd44j70

[jaq-grantford]

One of the things I love painting most are portraits that have stories attached. My next door neighbour Bill was mourning the loss of his wife and every time I walked past him I'd ask how he was. He'd get a little teary and say, not well, shaking his head. They'd been married for 60 years and he missed her terribly. I painted this little portrait of her for him. It was a surprise as he didn't know my work at all. He burst into tears when I gave it to him, and to this day it is one of the paintings that I'm most proud of painting. It helped him with his sense of loss and that's one of the most brilliant gifts of art. So RIP Jill, and hope that your portrait is still helping Bill. #figurativeart #realism #jaqgrantford #realisticart #australianartist #portraits #realisticportrait #arte_magazine @arte_magazine @lets_talk_about_art @theartdistricts @@_artzoom_ @artwork_inspirations https://www.instagram.com/p/B_pHiT0jdvN/?igshid=wqlxt8a2pkjo

[jaq-grantford]

This is a portrait I did of my fabulously talented friend Andrew Batterham. We studied together at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music about 30 years ago. Where does the time go? He’s a super clever musician, composer and all round great guy. He also plays in the band @speakeasyfunk . I heard them play at Andrew’s birthday and thought they were brilliant. Apparently, they were all quite drunk…it was a 50th after all. So if they sounded that fanastic then, imagine how they will sound at their gigs! I do plan to get to one after isolation is over. So may meet you there if you’re a local to Melbourne https://www.andrewbatterham.com/ http://www.speakeasyfunk.com.au/ (if you go to their website you’ll see they describe their horns as ‘dirty horns’. Need to get the old Brasso out and polish I think! Bad joke I know, but my mind going to mush from too much computering) #andrewbatterham #portraits #australiancomposers #jaqgrantford #surrealism #realismtoday @lets_talk_about_art @_artzoom_ @artworkinspirations #surrealism #paintingfriendsisfun https://www.instagram.com/p/B-mTNn8jBQi/?igshid=19r59n4ttaqyo

[jaq-grantford]

So here’s some good news in the mix and I’ve been a little delayed posting it with all the chaos at the moment – working out solutions to the newly found status of unemployed as the pandemic has hit my art school, as it has hit so many others out there. Love to all out there and stay safe. So the good news…drum roll please…I am officially an ARC Associate Living Master. Living? Yes, that is good. A master? Only of myself and not even that. But I will humbly say thank you because it is such a wonderful honour. And it does make me want to create more things that extend my abilities and connect with people. The challenge has been cast and I thank you @artrenewal centre for the task of living up to such an honour. And here’s a screen shot of the website to prove it! If you go to the link arc Salon in my bio you can go to the website and there you’ll see lots of my paintings, including Jacki Weaver, Lior, Eddie Ayres, Elena Kats-Cherning, Tony Gould and Noni Hazlehurst. Stay safe to all my beautiful friends out there. #artrenewalcentre #realism #figurativeart #arclivingmaster #mycatsaremymasters #ihavenorealcontroloveranything #ilovetopaint #jaqgrantford #realismtoday #arcsalon #jackiweaver #lior #eddieayres #nonihazlehurst #elenakatschernin #tonigould #australianmusicians #australiancomposers https://www.instagram.com/p/B-hAKsijugF/?igshid=hm0em1498oq4

[jaq-grantford]

Painting of the Monserrat Mountains from the time I had an art residency in El Bruc. The lights are from the candles at the monastery there and the circles from the floor outside the monastery. I can’t remember the exact story of the circles now, but it was along the lines of people standing in it and throwing their arms in the air to be blessed. Anyone know the story who can remind me? So three layers superimposed The art residency at El Bruch was just magic. It’s a gorgeous little town about an hour out from Barcelona at the foot of the mountains. I did climb down the mountains twice. I sensibly didn’t climb up, but went by car. 😄😄 #artresidencies #elbruch #visitingartistinspain #monterratmountains #montserratmonastery #jaqgrantford #landscape #lightsoveramountain #realisminart https://www.instagram.com/p/B9OoFLLnd_I/?igshid=15p8t4dgyxzys

[jaq-grantford]

This is a painting I did of the fabulous Eddie Ayres. For those non-Aussies out there he’s a radio presenter on the ABC here, and I’ve painted many a piece listening to the dulcet tones of Eddie. A pleasure to paint. And his life has been so amazing - professional muso and many an adventure including cycling from England to Hong Kong with a violin strapped to his back #musicinaustralia #eddieayres #emmaayres #violingplayers #hongkingtoengland #jaqgrantford #paintingmusicians #realisminart #figurativeart #musicintheround #lovethetatts #artistsofinstagram @eadricayres https://www.instagram.com/p/B8gKbFDgXtM/?igshid=15c448hbxbr8z

[jaq-grantford]

Detail of the painting, 'ladylike', that I'm working on at the moment. #ladylike #jaqgrantford #portrait art #realism #womendoingwhattheywant #boldbrush #modernartist #realistart #originalart #originalartworks #originalartist #artsanity #artsy  #modernart #artcurator #boldbrush #rosemarybrushes #richesonart #art_enlighten #portraitpainting #portraitartist #oilportrait#creative_uprising  #art_collective #artcurator #paintanyway #brushstrokes #artistsoninstagram #contemporaryart #artistsofinstagram #artoftheday https://www.instagram.com/p/BxBL0cKlkH4/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ooig4dnk7k1r

[jaq-grantford]

Oil on Canvas, 50cm x 39cm. I thought I'd share one by one the individual paintings within the portrait, For All the Women I'll Never Know', over the next few days, to give each one its little moment. This one is Leonardo as a woman. It's myself as the model (very easy to ask myself to sit, and I always say, yes). I had a lot of fun putting on my grumpy Leo face. My lovely son came along, and we spent a day together working on the expressions, reference and costuming for the whole piece. #leondardo #portraits #womenartists #leonardodavinci #renaissanceart #realism #jaqgrantford #Art_spotlight https://www.instagram.com/p/BwgyApwlpaQ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=6j5slqyezmrd

[jaq-grantford]

This is my latest portrait that I've painted, 'For All the Women I'll Never Know'. It's a self-portrait in seven parts, each part 50cm high and when hung altogether a little over 3 metres long. The portrait is in honour of all the forgotten and forbidden women throughout the ages. It speaks of the sadness that I feel for the lost talent and incredible art created by women that we have never seen. How different would the history books look if women had been given a voice? The portrait is also a celebration of women artists now and the amazing talent and force that they represent in the art world (at least in some parts of the world). In order of famous artists painted as a women (myself in this instance): Leonardo, Rembrandt, Turner, Courbet, Magritte, Dali and Warhol. It was a joy to paint this portrait - I got to try on the hats of wonderful artists that I admire so much. And I also got to poke fun at myself quite a lot.  Here's the painting as a whole as a septych, but I've also included each one separately so it's easier to see. #famousartists #leondardodavinci #rembrandt #Turner #Courbet #Magritte #SalvadorDali #Warhol #womenartists #womensrights #australianartist #jaqgrantford #artist #painting #Art_spotlight #artist_feathures #creative_uprising https://www.instagram.com/p/BviDVqvFGSw/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1hewjgtg4q55n