Miniature Landscapes

Recent work and thoughts on creativity

Hi everyone,

It’s been a bit quiet on the art front lately. The consistent rhythm of daily painting I’d established has slowed as summer projects and travels have kept me busy. It’s felt a little discouraging, as if I’ve lost momentum in my art practice. However, I’m hopeful that this pause will allow for fresh inspiration to emerge in the coming weeks.

Interestingly, my creative energies have found unexpected outlets. Restoring our old lawn mower and working on some car repairs, tasks that might seem mundane, revealed an unexpected sense of satisfaction and enjoyable problem-solving. While it doesn’t feel ideal to be painting less, this experience has been a reminder that creativity can manifest in countless forms.

Rick Rubin, author of the insightful book The Creative Act, offers a liberating perspective: “We're all faced with choices daily, and if we're making considered choices, that's the work of an artist.” Every decision, from the mundane to the monumental, is an opportunity for creative expression. This idea challenges the notion that creativity is exclusive to those labeled “artists.”

When discussing painting with others they often say something about how they aren’t creative. I think we are all creative beings. Whether it's in a career, hobbies, or everyday life, you are constantly making choices that shape your world.

In the past few weeks I have not started many large, ambitious paintings, but have found a lot of enjoyment doing some miniature pieces. I have complete a series of small, local landscapes on 3” x 4” copper panels that have been a lot of fun to paint. I’m excited to share that one of these pieces has been selected for a local miniature show opening in August at Interurban Arthouse in Overland Park. The opening reception is August 16th.

Unlike the paintings I shared in my last newsletter, this series primarily focuses on some beautiful places found around Kansas City. I came across this scene during an early morning drive through rural Missouri and was captivated by the peaceful serenity of the farmland bathed in the warm glow of the rising sun.

I enjoy experimenting with various surfaces and materials, and recently, copper has become a particular favorite for my miniature paintings. Its smooth surface allows for fine detail and adds a subtle warmth to the paintings. I applied only a thin layer of paint in the sky to allow the copper color to provide the warm glow of the morning sky.

Here are the other miniature paintings that are all on the same 3” x 4” copper panels. I won’t be offering prints for this small size, but all the originals are available for sale at $75 each with the frame as pictured. I will likely launch some sort of online retail store soon, but until then just inquire via email.

Here is a higher resolution scan of my favorite one. In this version it is a little easier to see the copper peaking through which is something I enjoy. This farmhouse is also in Gower, MO near the landscape that will be in the Interurban show.

Thanks for reading and I hope you all have a wonder rest of your summer.

Best,

Grant