The scent of oils...

...has filled my painting space. Working on some masonite boards right now (as well as many other projects) shown below. Each is 24" x 48" primed oil on board. Work-flow on full force forward. Something has to happen, the universe must align soon. I can feel it.




above left is progressing well. you can see my attempt at putting a reflection for the lowest "angel", right is the start to another similar scene with a parthenon dome in the sky rather than columns. considering addint wings or angels to this as well to link these as a pair a little more.


Other projects going on that I will share more information about later. Thanks for reading friends.

-Josh Grabowski

prime time

The body is constructed, time to put on the final supports, stretch the final pieces and prime. Patience and anticipation is key here everyone. The hard work for the proper, well-executed beginning has been put in. Everything seems a little easier when it is done correct the first time. Looking forward to where this project is headed. Consumingly exciting, just as much as it is excitingly consuming. Just some pics here that I took while working over the past couple days. Maybe they will come in handy if I ever compile all my thoughts and "lessons learned" to write that book I've always been looking for everywhere that sells oil painter books. Book due date: 20-and-longtimefromnow! Lots of work to do before I get ahead of myself. Preparation meets opportunity nicely, I'll be ready.

above left is the nail gun and wood glue used to brace the corners, right is the blank canvas with staple gun used to stretch the material taut over the framework.

GO BE CREATIVE! :) IT'S EVERYWHERE AROUND YOU!

-Josh Grabowski

on track

everything is flowing very smoothly. if i keep this momentum going forward, i'll be way ahead of the estimated timeline for my new project!

time to call it a night so i can do this all over again tomorrow

side note: painting.about.com's suggested art contests turned out to work in my favor as i was one of 20 winners for some free acrylic paint! lucky me! chroma europe is shipping me my prize! :o)

-Josh Grabowski

Breaking Ground

Starting the next BIG thing! Just wait, it's going to be great everyone. You can count on it! Going for the WOW factor on this one and I promise to deliver just that!!



I promise to keep up my posting of other pieces as I work on them!

-Josh Grabowski

The First [of many yet to come] in 2010

Well, the time has come to start out the new year with progress! Tonight marks the official "completed" status on a piece that has been taking up a lot of my time since before Christmas. Experimenting with a new medium (drying linseed oil) that I had never used before set me back a couple days longer than expected in between painting sessions, but the final results are wonderful and well worth the wait! This piece is a 24" x 36" oil painting on store bought stretched canvas (I know, I know... time and cost effective for the project at hand, otherwise I prefer to build my own). Within about a weeks time to ensure the final layer of oil is dry, kamar varnish will be applied to "seal the deal" on the completed status and really make the painting shine! Literally! The frame needs a little TLC to really give this painting the perfect final touch: we got it on super discounted clearance price because of some minor cosmetic damage to some of the edges that can be easily filled with wood putty and painted. This "flaw" is so minor you can't even see it in the picture below. The hardest part is over with, time to get the final things in order and get this baby out the door. I will miss this painting, but I'm learning not to get as attached to my "babies" as I have in the past since it is obviously inevitable to part ways with them. The fact of the matter is that I am an artist and I need to make money for the works that I create. Don't know how I plan to create pieces and keep them all while also making this my only job. Ha!





All in all, this was a great experience. I can't wait to deliver the piece later this month and see the reaction on everyone's face! Next up, more oil paintings coming your way sooner than you think! BIG THINGS happening, and it is pure GOLD! Stay tuned everyone!

-Josh Grabowski

updates coming soon

i promise.

in the mean time, check out the most awe-inspiring site. simply amazing images.
if you got 6 minutes to devote to a great video with nice relaxing music, watch this!

-Josh