John Grimsdale

 

Born in England and emigrating to Australia in 1995, I have obtained vast experience of the visual arts.

 

Upon leaving school I became a darkroom technician and a photographer before moving into graphic design and screen-printing, but have always had a desire to paint. When I saw the paintings of Caravaggio, this desire became a necessity.

 

I dabbled in watercolors but was unhappy with the final results and it was not until I began working in oils that I found my favourite medium. I preferred oil paints because of the freedom and consistency of colour that can be achieved. I began taking lessons from the respected Brisbane based artist, Pir Tareen.

 

I went on to study at the Queensland College of Art where he achieved a Bachelor of Fine Arts working with artists such as Julie Fragar and Bruce Reynolds. I also graduated with a Bachelor of Education and became an art teacher.

 

As well as relishing painting portraits, I have a fascination with the human form and love to draw and paint the body using live models and photographs as my resource. I feel my best works are those pieces that capture a part of the story of the sitter rather than a just technically interesting visual representation of the subject.