VUE: What mediums do you prefer to
work with, and why?
GRANT: I primarily work with oil on
canvas. I love the versatility of oil paints
and the ability to mix colors directly on
the canvas. e way oil dries slowly has
shaped my style in a sort of happy
accident. On the third or fourth day of
painting, when the layers begin to dry, I
use a palette knife to scrape into the
underlying colors, creating textures that
have become a signature element of my
work. Recently, I've also started working
with pottery alongside my girlfriend. We
plan to paint Picasso-like figures on the
sides of vases. is new medium offers a
refreshing break from painting and helps
reenergize my creativity.
VUE: Could you walk us through your
creative process from ideation to completion?
Do you have any rituals or routines that
help you get into the creative zone?
GRANT: Deciding what to paint can be
one of the hardest parts of the process for
me. I usually start with brainstorming
ideas, oen browsing the internet for
inspiration. Sometimes it's the subject that
grabs me; other times, it's the colors used.
Once I've chosen a subject, I give myself a
little pep talk about stepping out of my
comfort zone, then I dive into painting. If
I'm working on nudes, I'll set up
photoshoots with models and paint from
those photographs. As I've moved more
towards Western-themed art, I've had to
adapt since cowboys and Native Americans
are hard to find for photoshoots. Now, I
create about 75% from imagination,
occasionally referencing a photo for
specific details like a nose or an eye.
Physically, I like to clear my mind by
working out, drinking a cup of coffee, and
throwing on some headphones before I
disappear into my work.
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