Brian Blackham Art

Jean Grimal is a true 20th century discovery. This breathtaking piece is a gorgeous example of his mastery as an artist. He beautifully creates chiaroscuro in this painting. The way the light touches the edges of the Chinese bowl and the grapes is an example of his skill in representing light. Jean Grimal (1942-1998) was born in the town of Tulle, France in 1942. Jean’s family moved to Paris when he was 8 years of age. After receiving a classical French education with studies in Latin and Greek, Jean Grimal entered the University to receive his Baccalaureate. He then attended Claude Barnard School for three years, when he received his Art Degree.  Upon completion Grimal taught art for seven years.  As Grimal’s own interest in formal painting and art began to possess him, the artist’s destiny changed.  In 1967 Jean Grimal stepped aside from teaching and pursued a career in professional painting and working as an illustrator in advertising.  As an advertising illustrator, Grimal worked with Lise Goldfard for more than 25 years at Studio 44 where they collaborated with major and important accounts, such as: Air France, Christofle, Peugeot, Lacoste, to name a few. At the same time he began presenting his formal paintings to galleries in Paris and Cannes, France and in London and Windsor, England.  Much to his surprise, Grimal found that his paintings were sought after by major art galleries and collectors throughout Europe.  After a number of years of being an important and successful art illustrator for these major accounts, he found himself having to choose between the two.  Fortunately for collectors, he chose to dedicate his life to the classical style of painting.  Jean looked at the simplest things in life through a microscope, where he could take the simplest object and depict the age of the fruit or the leaf. Jean Grimal received great pleasure from his work and painted for over thirty years.  As his style matured and became ever more perfect Jean Grimal truly reached the pinnacle of his career.  The artist’s methods were particularly distinguished when measured against his peers.  Grimal’s painting skill was distinctive and exceptional. Jean Grimal was known for his realistic trompe l’oeil and still life paintings.  The artist would carefully arrange the objects to form a satisfying composition.  By painting every shadow, highlight, and reflection within each composition Grimal brought mundane subjects to life.  His tight rendering combined with his attention to light and detail allowed him to blur the lines between illusion and reality, truly making his works one of a kind.  Grimal’s trompe l’oeil paintings consist of intricate compositions of cards, envelopes, photographs, paper of different materials and weights, backs of canvases, images of other artists’ works, kitchen utensils, pistols, and more.  Grimal had a talent for mastering these illusions that deceive the eye in his trompe l’oeil paintings.    No matter what genre Grimal was painting, tight, unperceivable brushwork characterizes his work.  The artist painted every crease and crinkle, every shadow and highlight, every detail.  By doing so, he was able to capture each individual surface texture of the objects in his paintings.  Grimal was also fabulous at depicting light in his paintings- often contrasting strong lights with strong darks, creating chiaroscuro modeling.  His still life paintings are reminiscent of Dutch seventeenth century...

Pocket Wild Apple [2022] original and hand signed by the artist Oil paint on canvas Image size: H:15 cm x W:15 cm Complete Size of Unframed Work: H:5 cm x W:5 cm x D:2cm Frame Size:...

These stunning magnolia placed in a transparent vase. A dark background helps to reveal delicate forms of flowers and capture the reactions of light with glass. The medium used is oi...

"Serenity" (2024) by Sheri Farabaugh (United States Based) is a beautiful handmade still life oil painting that depicts a bundle of lotus flowers and pads resting in a clear blue pon...

Oil painting titled "Spring Mix" by Gabriel Portoles Ascaso (Spanish, b. 1930). Presented in a wood frame. Studied at the Escola de la Llotja (Barcelona School of Arts and Crafts) wh...

"Lemons" is a contemporary realist interior yellow green and blue still life of fresh cut produce from the Italian countryside. Frame Dimensions 24.19 x 20.25in Daniela Astone was...

"White lilies" floral still life realism of the Volsky Lily. The painting is done in oil on canvas. It is written in 3 layers. Flowers look very impressive on a dark background. Lil...

This exceptional artwork is framed, signed & currently available for sale at Signet Contemporary Art Gallery. There is an undeniable elegance in the simplicity of Fresh and Peeled,...

This is a charming breakfast still life featuring fresh blueberries served on an ornate blue and white patterned plate, accompanied by a glass of milk. The composition is set on a wh...

Black Cat

Traces of lived experiences appear in On Hansen's works, exploring the possibilities of formal abstraction and seeking an organic experience between space and time through painting a...