Maxim Grunin Drawing & Painting

Riot Police And Military - Figure Drawing by Maxim Grunin

2011-12-05T14:27:00.000-08:00

Find subjects that are interesting for you to draw. I focused on the figures of soldiers and policemen with their riot gear on in my drawing.

Figure Drawing Anatomy 1

2011-12-04T11:11:00.000-08:00

Create studies of figure's anatomy. Simplified features make the drawing of the figure easier and demonstrate your understanding it's internal structure.

Proceed drawing out the most important features of the figure such as skull, hands and feet. Look for a way to simplify various body parts in your sketches.

Detailed studies of the skull must be made in order to familiarize yourself with internal structure of human head.

Hands and feet prove to be very hard to draw, especially when foreshortened. The more we draw them the better the outcome.

Figure Drawing 1

2011-12-02T15:12:00.000-08:00

Draw skeletal figure gestures in order to understand dynamics of the human body. Keep your initial lines fairly light and reserve darker lines for the objects closer to you (the viewer) in distance. Produce 10-15 figure drawings per week in your sketchbook.

Gesture drawings of human skeleton.

Exploring the volume of the figure using cross contour and ink wash.

Extended figure sketches.

Maxim Grunin - Landscape Painting 2011

2011-07-15T15:32:00.000-07:00

Summer Green, 30"X40", oil on canvas, 2011

I can't help but get inspired by the summer landscape I find right around the corner from my house. Most of my days are spent working at the studio, but when I get outside there is this captivating environment calling for my attention.

Figure Painting by Maxim Grunin

2011-06-03T20:39:00.000-07:00

In Dreams, 40"X30", acrylic on canvas, 2011

Figure Painting In Acrylic by Maxim Grunin

2011-05-24T13:46:00.000-07:00

Untitled, 30"X40", acrylic on canvas, 2011

Maxim Grunin Painting

2011-05-16T11:03:00.000-07:00

Inseparable, 30"X40", acrylic on canvas, 2011

Painting by Canadian artist Maxim Grunin

2011-04-26T21:25:00.000-07:00

Swimming & Dreaming, 30"X40", acrylic on canvas, 2011

Maxim Grunin Upcoming Group Show April 7 - 29, 2011

2011-03-22T03:49:00.000-07:00

I am partaking in an upcoming group show this Spring. Anyone is welcome to come and join me at the Opening Reception on Sunday, April 10 from 2pm to 4pm.

Etobicoke Civic Centre Art Gallery

399 The West Mall

Etobicoke ON M9C 2Y2

416 - 394 - 8628

Gallery Hours: Weekdays 8:30 am - 4:30 pm, Weekends & Holidays 2 pm - 5 pm

Exhibition: April 7 - 29, 2011

Opening Reception: Sunday, April 10, 2011, 2 pm - 4 pm

Wave Of Desire, 40"X30", acrylic on canvas, 2011

Maxim Grunin Paintings

2011-03-09T19:20:00.000-08:00

I Want What I See, 30"X40", acrylic on canvas, 2011

Painting, Art by Maxim Grunin

2011-02-20T15:35:00.000-08:00

Dreamer, 30"X30", acrylic on canvas, 2011

Expressionist Painting Demo by Maxim Grunin

2011-02-04T19:30:00.000-08:00

In this video I create a Figurative Expressionist painting with acrylics, on a 30"X30" canvas. Please take a look at the different stages of my work's progression. Even though I have my general idea sketched, I still experience a process of decision making as I create this painting. I have to rework areas of the piece more then once until finer results are achieved.

Canadian art, Painting, Maxim Grunin

2011-01-30T10:37:00.000-08:00

You Standing There... , 40"X30", acrylic on canvas, 2011

Figure Painting by Maxim Grunin

2011-01-21T00:11:00.000-08:00

Removed With Paint, 30"X40", acrylic on canvas, 2011

Figurative Expressionist Painting by Maxim Grunin

2011-01-15T08:39:00.000-08:00

While I Wait For You, 30"X30", acrylic on canvas, 2011

Figurative Semi-Abstract Painting by Maxim Grunin

2011-01-08T06:58:00.000-08:00

Mysterious Truth, 30"X40", acrylic on canvas, 2011

Contemporary none-objective painting by Maxim Grunin

2010-11-14T03:53:00.000-08:00

Sunset Memory, 30"X40", oil on canvas, 2010

Even though my work has the unique qualities that belong to my personal method of painting, I am inclined to look at it's similarities with the works of the famous artists. Knowing about the origins of my work helps to understand it's relationship to art History and art practice. My paintings are reminiscent of the Abstract Expressionism that originated in the late 1940s in America. Mark Rothko's color field painting is evident at the base of my work. The soft blending of the tinted colors in my paintings is not a direct borrowing of the images of the master. It has a lot more of my intention to create moody atmospheric appearing surface in the background. I am not concerned with the bold color statement but rather with the viewer's eyes reading the transition of quiet colors. Wilhelm de Kooning's dynamic action painting is visible in my work as well. The unavoidable lively marks on top of the smooth ground in my paintings result from the vigorous strokes of a palette knife and a brush. Jackson Pollock's drip painting emerges when the paint is thrown and splattered across the canvas. I achieve a composite of several modes pioneered by the great masters of the past.

Abstract In Pink, 40"X30", oil on canvas, 2010, Maxim Grunin

2010-11-07T03:48:00.000-08:00

Abstract In Pink, 40"X30", oil on canvas, 2010, Maxim Grunin

Making Of An Abstract Painting In Pink by Maxim Grunin. Step 1

2010-11-06T23:03:00.000-07:00

I've already primed and stretched the canvas. Now I need to mix a variety of colors for my new abstract pink painting and cut the paint with linseed oil in order to make it blend smoother. I do the blending with a soft wide brush. It allows for exquisite mist like looking paint surface. The mixing and some of the painting is done with a palette knife. The best way to quickly and efficiently mix paint is to move the knife in a round motion, clockwise or counter clockwise. That's why the batches of paint of my palette look like swirls.

Once I mix all of the grades of pinks that are in fact red and yellow tints, I begin to apply the paint onto my canvas. There is a warm, subtle orange that I used as an under-painting for this piece. The medium, especially oil paint, is translucent. The warmth of the orange layer will add even more subtle depth from underneath the pink layer. The color of the under-painting will also share it's properties with what is painted on top of it. Remember how hard it is to paint white over black, it will not get white until several coats of white are applied. That's because black keeps showing through. This time my work will have an increased overall warm color scheme. I have a goal in mind and it is to create a "pink" painting. I want to have a gradient of lighter and darker pink tones. I begin to apply the background coat onto a primed sanded canvas.

Making Of An Abstract Painting In Pink by Maxim Grunin. Step 2

2010-11-05T02:19:00.000-07:00

Color value at the top is lighter. I painted that first because I want the almost white pink to be very clean, without the darker grades showing in it. Painting light areas is always done with a fresh brush otherwise the old left over colors at the top of the bristles would get into the pure one. I block the entire canvas in before starting to blend the tones together. Having the entire painting under control oppose to just working on small bits until they are done is more productive. This way I can compose and build my work as a whole. Stepping back to evaluate my progress is a must.

Background is done and now I put in the marks that introduce movement. The paint strokes are brushed at different angles with a general vertical direction. I want to feel like I am "lifting up" looking at this new painting. It seems a bit boring if the strokes would just move up and down or if they were too controlled by me. I give in to impulses to make odd gestures that produce more spontaneous strokes. Anything that comes out from underneath my brush is still governed by the physicality of the artist's body. The marks are just more or less conscious under different circumstances. In the end, I have to somehow like what I'm making. I keep an open mind and look for these wonderful discoveries about my own work as I create it.

Making Of An Abstract Painting In Pink by Maxim Grunin. Step 3

2010-11-04T02:55:00.000-07:00

I use that soft wider brush to gently blur the entire surface of the artwork together. I really like the way the oil paint looks when it is blended this way. Gerhard Richter is my influential source for using this and other methods of moving paint. Looking at the medium blurred in a soft misty way can be exquisitely enchanting. There is oil like fines to it. The painting I am making is largely intended as an object of decor, something to have around a living space. I want it to be pleasurable and subtle rather then a statement of artistic expression.

The next task is to build up some textural, even more expressive marks. This is a job for the palette knife. I am adding new elements and colors to the smooth first layers of paint. Having life long studio experience I know, that I will always for sure understand it when my painting is complete. I am waiting for the balance the conditions of which are only known to me. Take a breather. Put the piece away. Forget all about it. Then the next day see it with the fresh eyes and voila - it either feels done or it shows me exactly what is missing.

Here are some details of the painting. The interaction between the smoothly blended ground and the more coarse raised marks enhances the depth of the painting's surface. The addition of blue-gray removes the monochromatic feel from the piece. Suddenly this painting seems more colorful. I get a precious luster of a pearl from some of the areas in the artwork. I throw some paint to produce the more accidental spills and drips. It would be ideal if this painting was quiet and poetic so that the viewer could relax around it. Being reserved when painting a piece like this is important so I don't overload it with visual information.

None Objective Works by Maxim Grunin

2010-10-28T17:44:00.000-07:00

Untitled #1, 30" X 30", oil on canvas, 2010, Maxim Grunin

My work's transition from representational to none objective began after my graduation from the masters program at The University of Waterloo, Ontario. I came to Canada as an immigrant from Russia where I was classically trained. Art education in the West was quite different from what I have experienced as an art student back home. Russian artists were taught in the rigorous tradition of the old masters such as Rembrandt or Michelangelo. They had to exhibit formal excellence in studio arts approach. The mastery of the realism with it's naturalistic representation were regarded as necessary professional traits for artists.

Untitled #2, 30" X 30", oil on canvas, 2010, Maxim Grunin

The art education here had significantly less focus on the formal skills in drawing, painting and sculpting. Instead of the unified standard for polished excellence of craftsmanship we had the multitude of narrow specializations. Students were given the freedom to try many subjects in the realm of visual arts without having to perfect their ability as painters or drawers in a classical sense. For example, someone who entered the undergraduate program with a portfolio of drawings and paintings could end up majoring in photography or design four years down the road. Students were graded based on their individual progress. It seemed funny to me when a student who could not complete a simple exercise in realistic drawing would get a high mark for creating a conceptually potent none objective piece in a studio course. This never would have happened back in Russia because any candidate who could not exhibit a formal training and a fine ability in all studio disciplines would not even be permitted to enroll in a university art program.

Untitled #3, 30" X 30", oil on canvas, 2010, Maxim Grunin

I had to adopt to the new system where pupils of very different educational backgrounds gathered within the institutions to discover many new approaches and technologies used in contemporary art. We were compelled to develop our own modes of production in visual art while having no concrete example of excellence. Students would naturally gravitate to the disciplines they liked and had the potential for. My advanced knowledge in studio art foundation lead me to a teaching career. The demand in skilled and qualified art instructors was always there. There were community art programs for children and students of different ages. For nearly eight years I was teaching classes in drawing and painting. Being bilingual and having classical background in art education made me an asset for private art schools in Canadian-Russian community.

My studio practice evolves. I strive to achieve higher merits as a painter and continuously develop new symbolism as well as new modes for creating. Expressive qualities of the medium: surface, paint application, color and contrast become more interesting then naturalistic subject portrayal. In this body of my work the realism disappears all together.

Summer Park, Landscape painting by Maxim Grunin

2010-09-30T13:12:00.000-07:00

Summer Park, 24" X 36", acrylic on canvas, 2010 Maxim Grunin sold

A Look Inside My Studio. Maxim Grunin

2010-09-20T15:42:00.000-07:00

I work in a large ground floor studio. There are several office light fixtures In addition to the sunlight coming from the windows. My work hours can be quite irregular. I often end up working at night.

Studio floor is covered with carpet that is both the insulation and the protective tarp. There is a computer station in the room.

Table with art supplies is on the right side of the room. Staple gun, paint jars, brushes, palette knives, paper towel, water containers and other necessary tools are conveniently placed here. My paintings are wrapped in protective plastic and stacked. I don’t want the pieces to accidentally stick together. Acrylic can be sticky.

I prime the raw canvas and stretch it. Buying an entire roll of unprimed canvas can help save money. A small brush and a sponge are useful when I want to get the paint from underneath my finger nails.

Landscape Painting by Canadian Artist

2010-08-31T17:48:00.000-07:00

Park Sunlight, 40"X60" diptych, acrylic on canvas, Maxim Grunin, 2010

Detail

Fresh Air At The Park - Landscape Painting In Acrylic

2010-08-24T14:41:00.000-07:00

Fresh Air At The Park, 40" X 60" diptych, 2010

Two 40 inches by 30 inches canvases are used in this diptych. The work is painted with acrylics broadly applied by the palette knife. "Fresh Air At The Park" is a scene of a walk trail emerging out of the park on a sunny Summer day.

Painting, Maxim Grunin

2010-07-31T18:16:00.000-07:00

Untitled, 16"X20", acrylic on canvas, 2010

Evening Sun, painting in Acrylic, 2010, Maxim Grunin

2010-06-17T19:59:00.000-07:00

Evening Sun, 18" X 20", acrylic on canvas, 2010

I find rectangular stretcher sufficient. The rectangle is a common shape that inhabits contemporary space. Like an old fashioned window it is suitable for containing an image. The innovation in my work lies within the subjective properties of the picture. Combination of realistic and abstract approaches contributes to a diverse viewing experience. The painting simultaneously evokes the impression of a landscape, a portrait and an associative abstraction.

The Imagined Thoughts

2010-03-11T06:45:00.000-08:00

Live Here Now, 48" X 48", acrylic on canvas, 2010

detail 1 - Live Here Now

detail 2 - Live Here Now

detail 3 - Live Here Now

detail 4 - Live Here Now

My work reflects life and its various qualities. The images are nostalgic, romantic and sentimental. They contain vague expressions of real and imaginary persons, scenes, objects, events from the past and the present. Abstraction is used to bind the figurative elements within the picture. Broadly applied poured and splattered paint integrates several representational depictions in a painting. Varied medium application and spontaneity that governs it enable the visual depth within the work.

I started learning art at an early age. Drawing, painting, making stuff out of paper, plasticine, wood and every kind of material found around the house were my favorite past times. Ever since my parents noticed my strong interest in visual arts they influenced me to take steps towards professional training. At the age of 13 I applied to a specialized art school which I had to attend in the evenings after school.

Being an art student was my identity and art was the voice of my expression. If there was any subject that I was truly serious about it was visual art. Very soon art became my inseparable companion. My dedication in studying fine arts came intuitively just like art came to occupy me when I was a child. I was the receiver and art was the radio wave. Once tuned the whole mechanism had a sound functionality.

I continued to study right up to graduate level. My art education gave me in-depth knowledge on every aspect of the profession. It equipped me with skills and understanding of art practice. Drawing and painting became my main focuses.

As a student I was attracted to the realism in art. It was important for me to learn and demonstrate excellence in representing naturalistic forms. I received training that enabled me to capture life likeness of portrayed subjects. However the technological methods of image capture have long succeeded hand made depictions of reality. In order for my work to enter the realm of contemporary painting it had to evolve.

As a painter in the contemporary art world, I needed to shape my work into a recognizable brand. Art had a tendency to be recognizable in our culture. Almost anyone can identify the work of a known old master such as Van Gogh. Encouraging consistency in the artist's approach is a common practice in contemporary art world. I didn’t like the idea of producing artwork that could be classified as pertaining to my name. I was antagonistic towards any deliberation in engineering the kind of work I would be doing. The solution had to be intuitive and compatible with me on a personal level. Being an immigrant pointed me to the work of the Diasporic artists. History provided examples of masters who experienced similar conditions as mine. Take the example of R. B. Kitaj.

I began to spend most of my time working at the studio. Proliferation helped me to define my own methodology. Over the years I developed a kind of a visual thinking which is quite common for artists. I often envisioned my thoughts in great detail and clarity. This allowed me to roughly outline what I wanted to see in my new painting. Subjects of my choice reflected the occurrences that took place in my life. Places, scenes, objects, persons, animals accompanied by my emotional responses to them started to appear on the canvas. Even my dreams qualified for entry into my work.

The imagined thoughts came in various degrees of clarity and importance. Some stood out due to the richness of their expressive value. I used my image thoughts as a point of departure when starting to map out a new painting. For example a woman’s face stood out as a predominant subject, so it appeared the largest in a painting. A vague landscape accompanied the face. Sentimental words like “love” and “missed” made way onto the canvas.

I also used my training and experience when it came to arranging the details of a painting into a whole. The decisions regarding the light, shadow, color and paint application were made to reflect my personal expressive demand as well as to comply to the rules of visual perception. My paintings were two dimensional rectangular frames. They had to provide organized experience for the audience. This meant the artworks had to be fine tuned and unified by me.

Maxim Grunin.

In Spring, 30" X 40", acrylic on canvas, Maxim Grunin, 2010

2010-02-15T17:40:00.000-08:00

Detail:

I like how acrylics dry in the matter of minutes allowing me to go back into the painting and change things right away. Working on a piece is a building up process. I apply layers of paint marks and these layers often overlap. Some areas of a painting change many times before a piece is finished. The surface of a work can get pretty heavy.

The appearance or the style of my work reflects the medium used to create it and also, it has something to do with my personality. I can start out with a clear idea in mind and even back myself up with a reference. Usually I would have a thumbnail sketch and a photo reference to keep track of what I wanted to appear in my image. No matter how organized I try to be, I still run into my impulsive urge to further experiment with paint as I go along.

In my latest landscape paintings I apply acrylic paint using brushes, palette knives, cut pieces of cardboard and household containers. I mix up batches of color I want to use and dilute them with water. I use a spray bottle and a palette knife to quickly whip up the right viscosity for each paint batch on my palette. This is it, my next goal is to fill an entire canvas not leaving almost any ground showing.

The landscape I am after has a horizon that determines the spatial depth perceived by the viewer. I want anyone who’s looking at my finished piece to feel that there is a sense of distance in the painting. That is why I build that distance into the work right away. I place my paint marks in such way that they appear to recede and become smaller as they move closer to the horizon. The colors I use in the foreground are also much darker and more saturated then the ones further away. Now that I have an illusion of space I can start placing other elements into the picture.

Making a painting is a big job. I need to take breaks and often my work will have to stay on the esil for more then one day before it’s done. At times I would be working on several pieces at once, switching from canvas to canvas without completing any one of them. Working on a body of work together makes me spot good parts of freshly emerging paintings and transfer these better bits onto the pieces that don’t yet seem to work.

I can’t tell if my painting is finished or not the same instant I put down my brushes. Even though I feel I wouldn’t want to add anything to a piece, I can’t be sure it is done. The new painting has to have a chance to grow on me. I put it aside in my studio and take a glance at it every time I turn around or enter the room. This is how I can spot things I don’t like in the piece and rework them. Or I could keep noting how harmonious and together the painting is and learn from it.

Park corner, landscape painting video by Maxim Grunin

2009-12-25T07:50:00.000-08:00

Part 1 of Maxim Grunin video, painting landscape. I am a trained painter and my work bares a degree of clarity and coherency that comes from my experience in the discipline. I am not restricted to a manner or a gimmick in my approach to painting. I look for my own, unique features and let them stand out. Please examine how I develop my painting up close.

Part 2 of Maxim Grunin video.

Landscape painting time-lapse by Maxim Grunin

2009-12-13T22:19:00.000-08:00

1st part of the video landscape painting. It is interesting to see how exactly the artist approaches his work. What motivates Maxim Grunin when it comes to his job as a studio painter? How does he create his paintings?

2nd part of the video where Maxim Grunin keeps working on his landscape painting and eventually finishes it. These videos are time-lapse of the actual process which takes a little longer in real time.

Sketches with pencil, pen and marker Maxim Grunin

2009-12-09T21:41:00.000-08:00

Sketches have a wide variety of purposes. They can be studies of form and proportions. They also allow the artist to explore a new image without having to complete it. I often start mapping my drawing with very light graphite lines. I want to be sure that the outlines are correct because I don't like using an eraser at all. I want to keep the initial appearance of every mark placed on the page. The unchanged lines tell me a great deal about my methods of constructing the image. Observing, thinking of how to place the lines and tone within a page and also letting my body express through the drawing process happens all at once. Even psychological processes of relating to my subjects, accessing an emotional response contribute to the outcome of the drawings.

Spring Is Here, 30"X30", acrylic on canvas (gallery wrap), 2009, Maxim Grunin

2009-12-03T14:40:00.000-08:00

Original landscape painting by Maxim Grunin is listed on eBay at great bargain price. Personally, I think it's hard to beat the prices I have right now for high quality art. Thanks to all the people who purchased my work.

Canadian painting, contemporary artist Maxim Grunin

2009-11-23T12:48:00.000-08:00

Make Me Dance, 40"X60" (diptych), acrylic on canvas (gallery wrap), 2009, Maxim Grunin

I am a formally trained artist, specializing in studio visual arts such as drawing and painting. What I do can be labeled as contemporary art practice. I am an immigrant from Russia, but I am not at all Russian. It's true that Russian is my first language and being brought up in the former Soviet Union makes me "culturally" Russian. I also have mixed Jewish and Ukrainian background, but I am foremost Canadian. My education and experience in the field of visual arts prohibit me from being ignorant or under-informed about cultural nature of my job. I am critical to every motion of my body and mind when it comes to painting. Classical, figurative and avant-garde influences as well as conceptual, art theoretic aspects are present in my work. "Make Me Dance" is responsive to my emotional state of a city dweller. I also let the methods of applying paint interact somewhat under-mediated in this piece. I construct the image with implied narrative and then disrupt it with abstract paint application. This results in an unexpected and pregnant visual surface.

Landscape painting in acrylics

2009-11-21T13:11:00.000-08:00

It's So Nice Outside, 30"X30", acrylic on canvas (gallery wrap), 2009, Maxim Grunin

Landscape painting of a sunset at a nearby park

2009-11-19T17:10:00.000-08:00

"Watching Sunset", 24"X30", acrylic on canvas (gallery wrap), 2009, Maxim Grunin

Head study, untitled by Maxim Grunin

2009-11-14T15:17:00.000-08:00

Untitled, 30"X24", oil with acrylic under-painting (gallery wrap), 2009. This head study depicts a young woman with her mouth open and her tongue sticking out. Grotesque facial expression is accompanied by calm, studying gaze of the person in the painting. I was attracted to the ambiguity of the reference picture I've collected in order to produce this work. I wanted the immediacy of the brush strokes to come forth in this study. Making the piece was a carefully calculated process based on my experience as a classically trained painter. Please visit my web store on eBay under Maxim Grunin.

Art on eBay - landscape painting by Maxim Grunin

2009-11-12T07:01:00.000-08:00

"Sunny, smile", 30"X30", acrylic on canvas (gallery wrap), 2009. This landscape painting is inspired by my interaction with nearby parks and ravines. These places can be truly sublime when one is out walking for a breath of fresh air. Here I become absorbed in my experience of living in the present moment. My senses and my intellect immersed in the state of being. My current body of work attempts to bring these bits of sublime scenes to the viewer. The paintings are also informative of the color, line, contrast, space and paint application. I use palette knifes to construct most elements of this work. Paint splatters and drips are added to represent foreground detail. I also resort to the use of brushes in order to create thin linear elements and translucent washes. My work is available for sale on eBay and priced commission free:

ebay art sale - new painting by Maxim Grunin MFA

2009-11-09T12:29:00.000-08:00

"Trail By Ravine", 24"X30", acrylic on canvas (gallery wrap), 2009 - is a palette knife painting executed in black, brown, gray, gray-purple, orange-brown and bright white-yellow-orange colors. I like using subtle grades of these colors taken from observation of nature. A life-like impression of a landscape interests me more then a bold color statement in this piece. I often take walks in the area surrounding my studio. It is a suburb riddled with ravines, parks, farmland and city developments. Sometimes I find myself on a trail that makes me feel like I am traveling through a forest. I stop and enjoy the sensation. There is so much to look at - trees, branches, grass, sky, ground beneath my feet and light gleaming through tree leaves.

Maxim Grunin - Red Rose, a painting of a rose on eBay sale

2009-11-02T05:05:00.000-08:00

"Red Rose", 30"X30", acrylic on canvas (gallery wrap), 2009. This square painting depicts a red rose over a dark black green background. Realistic flower, painted with dark red browns and red purples within the shadows and brighter reds, oranges and pinks in the mid tone and light areas, is leaning towards the left. The rose opens it's petals in a glamorous fashion symbolizing love and beauty. This painting by Maxim Grunin MFA is on sale at:

Maxim Grunin Fine Art Online on e_Bay

2009-10-23T16:00:00.000-07:00

"Road To Lake", 30"X60" (diptych), acrylic on canvas, 2009, does not require a frame and could be arranged separately. This painting captures an impression of a landscape. A road on the left takes the viewer through fields surrounded by trees. There is warm sunlight as far as the eye could see. Tall grass sways touched by the light breeze. We're curious how warm the lake water is. A painting by Maxim Grunin

At The Park, 24"X30", acrylic on canvas, 2009 - landscape painting by Maxim Grunin

2009-10-15T13:32:00.000-07:00

"At The Park" is a red-brown, ochre, black and white colored canvas. This painting reflects the setting of a park next door, where I and other people go for a little bit of exercise and fresh air. Some pathways at the park look especially vivid and painterly, they invite me to stop and admire them. When constructing a painting I look for brush mark , palette knife mark or a spill mark appropriate for making objects look "nature like" and at the same time I want the picture to be on the edge of abstraction. I also want my painting to be fluid and moving. Broad paint strokes and rich surface quality of the painting are designed to capture viewer's attention. "Park Run" carries some of the quiet and yet powerful beauty of nature.

City Park Trail - contermporary Canadian landscape by Maxim Grunin

2009-10-11T16:15:00.000-07:00

"City Park Trail" takes the viewer into a picture space, reminding of a park trail. This piece is made with the use of broad paint application. Brush, palette knife and paint spills create a vibrant surface that the viewer would want to examine up close. Subdued dark purples, grays, browns, greens and black make up the shadow areas of the piece. Subtle grades of orange-brown, brown-green, gray, ochre and highlights set the mid-tone and the light in the painting. "City Park Trail" is 36" X 24", acrylic, 2009.

Woods By The Soccer field - contemporary landscape painting by Maxim Grunin

2009-10-11T00:33:00.000-07:00

"Woods by the soccer field" are often found near schools and recreation areas in North America. These patches of trees are part of the plant life infrastructure of the city. Walking into such patch will place you in a spot where many creatures such as squirrels and birds find shelter. This painting takes the viewer into woods entered by strong, warm sunlight. The surface of this piece is textured with bold, expressive palette knife strokes as well as the paint splats. "Woods by the soccer field" creates a unique picture space examined by the viewer. This painting is ambiguous and semi-abstract

Light In The Forest - by Maxim Grunin

2009-10-09T19:14:00.000-07:00

"Light In The Forest", 24"X39", acrylic on canvas (gallery wrap), 2009. Getting out of my place is always a field trip - an excursion into the outside world. Out here visual properties of the landscape are observed first hand. Light, perspective, color and objects become apparent and revealing. Urban North American environment has it's individuality. Small patches of woods, parks, ravines, trails are left within suburban areas to help people breathe. "Light In The Forest" is an image harvested from my outside walks experience. In this landscape the light helps create an impression of depth.

"and the city" - painting by Maxim Grunin

2009-09-23T13:01:00.000-07:00

and the city, 24"X24", oil on canvas, 2009 (sold)

It is a brand new day in the city and you are here, somewhere, with me... I live in Toronto, Canada. My reality unfolds in this modern city where technology and people are intertwined. Influenced by the immediate environment I tend to bring it's elements into my work. The image, the paint and the graffiti become combined in my painting in order to satisfy my search for the visual language reflective of the human condition. "and the city" is romantic, hopeful and poetic.

Sunflowers painting on sale - www.eBay.com

2009-09-21T16:28:00.000-07:00

Flowers Of The Sun, 24"X30", acrylic on canvas, 2009

Sunflowers have a history of inspiration for the artists. Vincent Van Gogh among many painted them more then once. These flowers a strong and beautiful. Their shape and colors resemble the Sun. I used palette knife for the most part, to create this decorative piece. This painting's colors are quite vivid and it has a heavy texture of thick, overlapping strokes of acrylic paint. "Flowers Of The Sun" is a high quality painting perfect for interior decorating. It is on sale at great price on www.ebay.com eBay. Please contact me with questions and I will be happy to assist you.

self portrait painting and video monolog by Maxim Grunin

2009-09-19T15:51:00.000-07:00

I often examine the self. What are my motives, how do I make my choices, what do I feel? It is important to me to try and understand what I am. This low resolution video is an attempt to say what's been on my mind...

Beautiful contemporary painting

2009-09-16T12:50:00.000-07:00

thinking you, 30X30, acrylic on canvas, 2009 (sold)

This work started as a small collage where I used bits ripped out of fashion magazines glued onto a piece of paper painted over with broad strokes of acrylic paint. Marker drawing was added at the end when paint was dry. I wanted to combine magazine images, that attracted me, together to create a narrative. "thinking you" is approached as a collage, where the realistic elements are painted before the broad abstract surfaces and the thin black drawn lines. "thinking you" may illustrate a state of a person's mind while being on the road. The image is well composed within a square and contributes to pleasurable viewing experience. It is also rich in surface and ambiguous as a combination of symbols.

Contemporary still life painting

2009-08-08T13:08:00.000-07:00

Morning Coffee, 24"X36", acrylic on canvas, 2009, gallery wrap

"Morning Coffee" is a decorative piece created using an abstract layer of smeared acrylic paint, overlaied with classical realistic painting. A horizontal canvas with black, blue, purple, gray and orange-brown background creates tonal and color contrasts. Paint marks are expressively broad and intertwined, add an impression of movement. Complementary palette continues in the still life of a coffee cup and a plate with croissant painted over the background. "Morning Coffee" is available for purchase on eBay at a great price.

Seascape painting sale on eBay

2009-07-29T10:44:00.000-07:00

Standing On The Shore, 30"X40", acrylic on canvas, 2009, gallery wrap

The sun shining on the left is creating a bright highlight on the surface of the watter. Every object in the painting "Standing On The Shore" comes to life illuminated with sunlight. A foaming wave in the foreground is pulling the sand and the rocks under it. Translucent wave is about to crush down and the breeze is blowing mist at the top of it. "Standing On The Shore" is built up with soft brush strokes, layer after layer. This seascape painting is available on sale on eBay at a bargain price.

Seascape "Ocean Waves" by Maxim Grunin MFA

2009-07-22T11:01:00.000-07:00

Ocean Waves, 24"X36", acrylic on canvas, 2009, gallery wrap

My parents took me on vacation when I was a child and the sea became very important for me. I loved swimming, diving , go fishing and collecting rocks and shells. I often explore the illusive beauty of the watter in my work. Amazingly the paint is capable of capturing the liveliness of the watter. Seascape is challenging and fun subject for painting. "Ocean Waves" is a horizontal piece executed in subtle red and green complementary color combination. This is a luminous painting with pronounced depth. "Ocean Waves" is available for purchase on eBay at a great promotional price.

Art on eBay, floral painting, Red Roses

2009-07-18T10:07:00.000-07:00

Red Rose, 30"X30", acrylic on canvas, 2009, gallery wrap

A bush of red roses is the center of this painting. Saturated reds, pinks, maroons and subtle purples of the flowers are contrasted against dark greens branches and leaves of the bush. The background of the painting is composed of lighter variations of blue, purple, green and orange. Some areas are highlighted with white to further emphasise the contrast. "Red Roses" is painted in an expressive manner of paint application that can be achieved with the use of a palette knife. Every element of the painting is constructed with great care. For example, painting marks within the flowers are directed around the circular form of each rose. Paint strokes resemble the pedals of the flowers. "Red Roses" is intended as a decorative piece. It is on sale on eBay at a bargain price for a limited time, FREE shipping is provided:

Find Red Roses on eBay

eBay paintings - Maxim Grunin MFA

2009-07-15T13:28:00.000-07:00

At Sea, 30"X24", acrylic on canvas, 2009

Thoughts Run Wild, 24"X36", acrylic on canvas, 2009

Woman With A Shell, 40"X30", acrylic on canvas, 2009

Decorative Painting "At Sea"

New decorative paintings by Maxim Grunin MFA revolve around the subjects of landscape, seascape, expressive figure and abstraction. "At Sea" is a vertical painting where color and tone gradients set the perspective. The sky and the sea converge in a lower part of the painting where a romantic tall ship sails towards the viewer. Seagulls are visible in the foreground above the ship. The birds are flying forward to lead the way for the sea vessel. Broad treatment of paint marks in this work give energy to the combination of blue, purple, orange, light yellow and white colors. The surface of the canvas riddled with three dimensional paint strokes is pleasing in a tactile sense. "At Sea" is a on sale on eBay: http://www.ebay.com/ , it can be found by typing Maxim Grunin in the search box at the top of the page along with other beautiful paintings.

Maxim Grunin - Biography

2009-07-13T18:50:00.000-07:00

I was born in Russia in 1975 and attended art lessons since childhood. I hold a masters in Fine Art from the University of Waterloo.

My passion for visual arts, drawing and painting in particular, is the driving force at the core of my personality. I enjoy my work on a profound level. I am also a dedicated scholar of art, who probes his field of study for new grounds. My work addresses landscape, figure, still life and abstraction. I often combine subjects and methods together to illustrate my narrative.

Talenthouse beta

2009-07-10T12:11:00.000-07:00

There is a good web project beta called Talenhouse http://www.talenthouse.com/ . Any artist can create a free profile on the site, upload and organize projects in any media. Talenthouse is easy to use, it's fast and has excellent features to showcase the work. It also offers a comprehensive system for rating and networking.

PORTFOLIO - new painting gallery July 2009

2009-07-05T13:29:00.000-07:00

Shown here is some new work by Maxim Grunin MFA. It has been made during the period of June and July of 2009. These paintings continue to investigate the theme of decorative landscape as well as the expressionist figure. Maxim is continually developing his original paintings for sale on eBay. The artist provides shipping, quality product, great service at a truly great bargain. Maxim Grunin is a talented Canadian Artist of Russian descent. Please do not hesitate to inquire directly.

At The Beach, 2009, acrylic on canvas, 30"X30" gallery wrap

City Spirit, 2009, acrylic on canvas, 24"X36" gallery wrap

Missing You, 2009, acrylic on canvas, 30"X30" gallery wrap

Love, 2009, acrylic on canvas, 24"X24" gallery wrap

email To My Love, 2009, acrylic on canvas, 24"X24" gallery wrap

Mistery, 2009, acrylic on canvas, 24"X24" gallery wrap

Sunset And The Lake, 2009, acrylic on canvas, 30"X36" gallery wrap

Sunset At Lake, 2009, acrylic on canvas, 30"X40" gallery wrap

After Rain, 2009, acrylic on canvas, 40"X30" gallery wrap

Setting Sun, 2009, acrylic on canvas, 30"X30" gallery wrap

Across The Field, 2009, acyric on canvas, 30"X40" gallery wrap

High Art VS Kitch on eBay

2009-07-04T19:48:00.000-07:00

Illustration: Comparison of an abstract painting detail by Jackson Pollok to a detail from a painting by contemporary eBay artist Osnat Tzadok.

Today anyone who has access to the Internet can go on eBay and succeed at finding an artwork they are looking for. EBay is definitely the place that offers a wide range of art to choose from and it also introduces an added benefit of finding a bargain. Artisans from all over the world set electronic displays of their work often sold commission free. All art on eBay is commercial - it is there on sale, but what are the true gems worth buying? Is the majority of art on eBay nothing more than tasteless Kitsch?

Most of us recognize the painting called the Mona Lisa. It is a great work of art by the Renaissance master Leonardo da Vinci. The Mona Lisa is exhibited in the Louvre in Paris, France and it is a priceless masterpiece. Why is a tiny, old and darkened painting of a female head considered a work of high art? How does the selection of such greatness occur?

Culture disciplines such as Art Theory, Art History and Critisism are responsible for shaping high art archetypes. A notion of aesthetics as well as what is art and what isn't can therefore not be fixed or permanent. As civilizations evolve, so does the culture of those civilizations.

In order to begin to understand what art is, we have to examine it's function. Art is often a physical object or a set of instructions arranged by an artist. Even though an artwork is an object, it may not have any physical function. It can be compared to a rock that lies on the shore. It is just there without a purpose. We, the viewer, assign a special function to an artwork by recognizing it as beautiful. Art created by an artist is not the only object that can have an aesthetic function. In fact any object can become art if it is displayed for it's beauty.

God in many cultural traditions is the creator of the universe and the many things that exist in it. Therefore God can be looked at as the ultimate artist. God determines function and design in nature. The reference to religion here, is important to understanding the role of the artist. It is not an attempt to impose a set of beliefs on the reader. The artist is seen as the creator of art in the cultural discourse. This is why before an object can be analyzed by the critic, it has to be arranged by the artist. Artist may paint, sculpt, print, draw, photograph, design, write out instructions to or simply take any object in order for it to be considered art. The critic is next in the chain of cultural evaluation. The educated mind sets a coherent framework for what may be considered art. In fact any viewer is automatically a critic who applies his or her set of cultural values to an artwork.

In our culture art does not come to be a masterpiece by just being created and placed on a pedestal. It has to be innovative and new in relationship to what existed before. High art functions as a catalyst when it comes in contact with the human mind. It yields meaning.

Being a visual entity, art almost literally shows critic the way to a new set of cultural values.

While new art is of the raw nature, high art is something that has already been studied and theorized. It may not be easy to pinpoint something new, never seen before, as art. New cultural notions are born out of struggle. Take for example the Abstract Expressionism movement in America mid 1900s. A prominent artist of that period is Jackson Pollock with his drip paintings. Pollock's work was not seen as art when it was first made. And yet after a period of time a new cultural archetype such as abstraction becomes public domain. From that point on, this new kind of art does not have the same edge.
It is now explained to us. However, art has an experimental nature and it's boundaries of meaning are yet uncharted. Art could be studied further even when art form has already been set into an archetype.

An established value in art spawns imitation. Public demand for a certain kind of art form rises. The borrowing of high art identities produces the inferior versions of art. Artworks that do not strive to achieve a new value in art and are content to imitate the established art forms are often called Kitsch. Kitsch is a term used to describe art that emphasises the banal decorative aspects of art. Kitsch takes a ride on the fame of the masterpiece by pretending to look similar. The result is a cheaper commercial version of art that does not yield much meaning. Kitsch is a reduction to a good looking, but empty facade. Professional and amateur artists follow the fashion, set by the High Art in order to earn profit. This process is by all means legitimate. Our consumerist society demands goods of variable quality and price. Kitsch can be good for decorating an interior and it wouldn't cost as much as high art. A homeowner or an interior designer may be looking for a color to match the furniture. It will be impossible to obtain an abstract masterpiece from a museum, unless it has been copied and printed. However a well made original Kitsch painting is a definite option.

by Maxim Grunin

Award Recipient Maxim Grunin MFA

2009-06-23T14:01:00.000-07:00

In 2007 I was nominated to receive an Honoris Causa. The recipients of this award are selected by The National Ethnic Media And Press Council of Ontario. Every year one or more people are nominated for the award by every ethnic community media office. The candidates have to have a history of contribution to their community. I was picked by the Russian media due to my close to 8 years involvement in private art education. Newcomers and art students of Russian background often lack the information on how the Canadian fine arts education works. I shared my personal experience via media interviews, documentaries and articles. As a result many enthusiastic students of Russian background enrolled in art programs throughout our province. When I came to Canada in 1992 there weren't many resources on what a competitive fine arts portfolio was or what were the steps to getting an undergraduate or a post graduate degree in art. Canada was a new country with new rules.

Displaying paintings on the wall

2009-06-18T12:11:00.000-07:00

Woods At Sunset, 2009, acrylic on canvas, 30"X30" gallery wrap

What is the best way to install a painting in a room? Paintings come in various sizes and configurations. They are generaly rectangular shaped. Some pieces can be arranged together to form a larger picture. For example two panels that go together are called a diptych, three are a triptych and so on. Many spots around the room can be suitable for hanging a picture. A wall above a couch in a living room, empty spot in a kitchen or a dining room. You, the owner of a painting will have to do some interior designing and have fun with it. Here are some things to keep in mind once the right spot for hanging a painting is found.

Lighting is responsible for how full of colour and brightness the piece will be when caught by a viewer's eyes. Acrylic, oil and paintings/drawings on paper that have to be encased in a frame with glass will all look better on a wall adjacent to the one with a big window in it. If a painting is placed on a wall directly across from a bright window it will reflect the light. This will result in unwanted shine and glistening on the surface of a painting. Direct light also grays out the colours in a painting therefore considerably reducing the vivid qualities of any piece. Avoid displaying a painting on a wall that gets bright sunlight. Direct light will contribute to quick fading, yellowing and aging of a painted surface. Galleries and museums often install moderate strength, overhead spot light above a painting to increase it's brightness. This approach makes any artwork look to the best of its visual potential and the most glamourous. Many rooms come equipped with pot lights or tracking lights that can be directed to give additional lighting to a piece.

The distance between paintings and the hight at which they are positioned on the wall is also important. Anyone looking at a painting shouldn't be distracted by other artworks placed too close. This setting will not allow the viewer to fully appriciate an individual piece. Allow generous spacing between the paintings. In this case "less" is "more". The hight of the painting on the wall is related to the hight of a human body, the average hight of the very people who will be looking at the art. Normaly the middle of the painting should be on the eye level of an average person. This is not often possible in the home setting, that is why it is possible to elevate a painting a little higher on the wall than the museum instalation would require.

Consider thinking of how the paintings work together when they are hanging on the walls of a room. Do they match, complement each other, go well with the furniture? Do change them around to get a different perspective. You may find that the new configuration is better and if not you can alway go back to the way it used to be.

Paintings collect dust and other bits of dirt when they hang on the wall. Like most other objects they need to be dusted and whiped with a damp rug every so often.

by Maxim Grunin MFA

Paintings Maxim Grunin

2009-06-18T12:07:00.000-07:00

Figurative paintings 2011NEW
Gallery 1
Gallery 2

Abstract Paintings 2010
Gallery 1

Figurative paintings 2010
Gallery 1
Gallery 2

Landscape paintings 2010
Gallery 1
Gallery 2

Figurative paintings 2009
Gallery 1
Gallery 2

Landscape paintings 2009
Gallery 1
Gallery 2
Gallery 3
Gallery 4

PORTFOLIO paintings June 2009

2009-06-14T11:00:00.000-07:00

In my new body of work the subjects are land and light. The focus is on the mountains, trees, rocks, watter and ground. I am formulating a kind of sublime landscape with each piece. My paintings are designed to suit the interior, bring rich visual and intelectual accents. Currently these works can be purchased on eBay at a great price from $250 USD. Paintings come with finished sides, hanging wire installed, shipping included and gallery wrapped (sides 1.5" deep). Please contact me at maximgruninart@yahoo.ca for further information.

Light Of Gold, 2009, acrylic on canvas, 30"X40" gallery wrap

Calm After The Storm, 2009, acrylic on canvas, 30"X40" gallery wrap

Stop And Stare, 2009, acrylic on canvas, 30"X30" gallery wrap

Beautiful Day, 2009, acrylic on canvas, 24"X36" gallery wrap

Sunlight All Around, 2009, acrylic on canvas, 30"X30" gallery wrap

Native Land, 2009, acrylic on canvas, 30"X40" gallery wrap

Sun Is Out Again, 2009, acrylic on canvas, 30"X36" gallery wrap

Country, 2009, acrylic on canvas, 30"X30" gallery wrap

On The Edge Of A Forest, 2009, acrylic on canvas, 30"X40" gallery wrap

What's better gallery wrap or?

2009-06-10T21:13:00.000-07:00

Gallery wrap stretcher is 1.5" (inches) deep or slightly greater. Canvas is wrapped, stretched and stapled on the back of the stretcher with heavy duty staples.There are several common ways to finish the sides of a painting. Sides can be painted as a continuation of a painting. They can be finished with one colour all around, for example black or the sides can be left white. Gallery wrapped canvas hold an interior hanging without a frame. It has a powerful presence due to it's depth. Gallery wrap is a great choice for almost any contemporary interior. There are also many choices for framing a gallery wrap.

Regular stretcher is under 1" (inch) in depth. Canvas is stretched in exactly the same way as the gallery wrap with staples on the back. The sides of a painting created on a regular stretcher can be painted or left with primer exposed. This stretcher is commonly presented with a frame, although there are many examples of installing regular canvas unframed. It is often better for the owner of a particular piece to choose a frame that works with their interior. Regular stretcher is a good choice when a frame is required.

A note for commercial artists who are aiming at selling to a wide audience. Gallery wrap is more expencive than a regular canvas, but it is a better choice for making a painting marketable. You won't have to invest in a frame and gain a satisfied customer at the same time. A cheap frame or "do it yourself" may not match market standard. However, regular canvas should not be dismissed altogether.

Maxim Grunin - CV

2009-06-10T21:06:00.000-07:00

Education:
2002-2004 University of Waterloo, MFA
1996-2001 Ontario College of Art and Design
1988-1996 Art Schools in Russia, Israel, and Canada

Exhibitions:
2009 eBay auctions (now active)
2008 Varley Art Gallery, Unionville, Ontario
2008 Richmond Hill Art Tour and Sale
2008 Mill Pond Gallery, Richmond Hill, Ontario
2008 Markham Theatre, Markham, Ontario
2008 Burr House Craft Gallery, Richmond Hill, Ontario
2007 Artcube Gallery, The Human Canvas, Toronto, Ontario
2007 Artcube Gallery, Weston Collective Exhibition, Toronto, Ontario
2007 RHATS, Richmond Hill, Ontario
2006 Mittica gallery, Toronto, Ontario
2006 Unknown Russia 7 and Russian America, CASE Museum of contemporary Russian art, Jersey City, NY
2005 Etobicoke civic centre Art Gallery, Colour and Form Society juried exhibition, (Award), Etobicoke, Ontario
2005 The poetry of the urban life, (solo show) Noveks Art Gallery, Toronto, Ontario
2004 Propagandista, Toronto Free Gallery, Toronto, Ontario
2004 Antecendants, Artery Gallery, Kitchener, Ontario
2004 BLANKETCHUPCHUK, Gallery 1313, Toronto, Ontario
2004 Mediated Environment, MFA thesis (solo) show, University of Waterloo Art Gallery, Waterloo, Ontario
2004 Drawing 2004, Juried Show, John B. Aird Gallery, (3rd prize), Toronto, Ontario
1999 Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition, Ontario
1999 Scarborough Arts Council Exhibition, Ontario
1997 Malvern Town Centre, Scarborough, Ontario

Related Experiences:
Teaching drawing and painting privately 2000-2009
Teaching and assisting teaching during masters program 2002-2004
Internship under Andreas Jauss, Tubengen/Germany, July-August 2003

Scholarships/Awards:
2007 Distinction in The Arts, National Ethnic Press & Media Council of Canada, Honoris Causa
Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS), 2003
Senate Graduate Scholarship, 2002/2004
Shantz Fellowship Award

Quality paintings

2009-06-08T21:31:00.000-07:00

There are many artists who produce beautiful paintings. Artworks can be so diverse in their appearance. If someone appreciates a particular piece it means that an artwork is good. Although taste in art can be so diverse, the idea of the quality of any piece of art is worth discussing.

Paints change colour and fade unless they are proven to be stable. Good quality paint will keep it's beauty and last longer. Some pigments have an ability to fade over a period of time. Using paints containing these pigments results in discoloration and reduction of saturation in a painting. It is better to use stable pigments that can last unchanged for centuries. These paints contain chemicals that have been thoroughly researched.

Oil paints have been around since the time of the Renaissance, 12th-14th century. Acrylics came to be invented in the 20th century. The difference between these paints is their medium. Linseed oil is mixed with powdered pigment to produce oil paint. Acrylic polymer emulsion has been introduced since the mid 1900 and it binds a dry pigment powder. Even though acrylics are relatively new, they've been perfected by the industry. Today acrylic paintings are by no means inferior to oil paintings.

Chemical properties of the pigments and paint application are largely responsible for a good quality end result. Applying thin coats of paint first and then building the layer up thicker is mandatory when creating a painting. The bottom coats need to dry quicker than the top layers in order for the paint not to crack. Sometimes artists use this knowledge to produce crackled surface in their work. Mixing of water and oil based paints will create cracks and quick deterioration of the painted surface.

In order to produce a piece of a lasting quality it is required for the paint coats to dry. Varnishes are used to give the paintings various degrees of gloss or matt finish. It is OK to varnish an acrylic painting soon after it has been completed since acrylics are water soluble and are fast drying. Oils however dry slower. Linseed oil has to go through 8 - 12 months solidifying process. If varnish was applied to a dry to touch oil painting right away, it will fuse with the paint and will become permanent. Varnish creates a nice finish ion an artwork but it's longevity is short. It yellows due to it's chemical composite and it wears off from dust, sunlight and climate conditions. Old coat of varnish needs to be removed and fresh one applied every 30 - 50 years.

by Maxim Grunin MFA

Painting Price Esse

2009-06-07T13:58:00.000-07:00

How much do original paintings cost? In order to produce a painting an artist needs time, studio space and supplies. To sell the product of his/her labor artist needs to research the market and the advertising costs. Let's look at someone who lives in Ontario, Canada and decides to make fine art painting his/her livelihood. Dedicating time to working on the paintings means less time for work elsewhere. A painting needs to be resolved through trial and error. An artist's longing for perfection leads him or her to hours of struggle with each piece.

Formal education can be useful alongside with consistent individual practice. Teachers and peers can gradually offer invaluable feedback and support to a scholar. Funding of art education and practice may prove to be difficult. Not everyone can afford to immerse themselves in an artist lifestyle without paying a cost. The inevitable bank loans added to scarce income will cause problems. An adequate living/studio space in our time can cost anywhere from eight hundred and up per month. Anything less may not be sufficient for working on the paintings.

Paint is toxic, it releases vapors and can be hazardous in many ways. The art supplies amount to considerable expense every month. Stretched or unstretched canvases, paints, brushes, gels, solvents, varnishes and various other accessories constantly run out. These may add up to hundreds of dollars. Easels, palettes, protective tarps may also be needed, however they last longer. Once the paintings are made they have to be photographed and documented in order to be assembled into a portfolio. Therefore an artist needs to buy a good digital camera, a computer as well as word and image processing software. Learning how to use the gadgets will take a good amount of time and effort. Once the body of paintings is produced and supplied with a portfolio the advertising and pitching begins. Now the artist is making his/her ends meet financially, is producing amazing work and is running about to introduce him/herself to the world.

If an artist passes a test of being involved more than just a little bit in creative practice, he or she develops a kind of an emotional stigma.According to the popular media our world is a mixture of good and evil. Truth goes hand in hand with deceit and everything has to be taken in, to be turned into personal experience. Lets look at the emerging artist. This inspired person is quite enthusiastic about what he or she does An artist bares a gift, a mastery of the craft worth being noted.

Years of character development, pride and talent wrapped into a portfolio are laid on the table. The artist now a master, a spokesperson, a presenter and an entrepreneur is challenged by many scrutinizing critics. Burdened by working with a modest budget an artist needs every bit of determination, health and luck to carry out his/her mission of the show and sale of their artwork The critic, in other words, the world will put up a worthy fight before the tie will turn. Planning the success ahead is wise and rational. There are numerous examples of artistic careers in the past and the present from which a student can learn. These examples are not fully universal. A person encounters individual challenges along the way.

Let us say that the positive circumstances are on the artist's side. Now he or she is exhibiting and making sales. How can an artist determine what price should be put on each piece? The supplies used to produce an artwork as well as the advertising costs, time invested in working on a piece, should be kept in mind. Artist's living costs: rent, groceries, transportation, utilities, phone, the Internet connection, insurance and other necessities also need to be taken into account when it comes to pricing an artwork. In addition to labour and cost of material, works of art have the value based on the merits of cultural importance. This last set of values is anything but straight forward.

The institutions in charge of assigning the value when it comes to the merits of fine art are the universities, museums and galleries. Knowledge is classified and transformed by the educated minds throughout the History. When polished enough a notion of what art actually is, becomes a potent formula, at least for a period of time. An easy example is Picasso's Cubism. Pablo Picasso, trained in classical realism and studio arts, broke away from a tradition of his time by painting unusual geometric shapes. His act was studied and eventually seen as an important kind of an intellectual revolution by the academics. Picasso pushed forward the boundaries of what was considered art in the past. Antique art is the most valuable when it has the Historic importance much like the works of Pablo Picasso or Leonardo DaVinci. Art that has less theoretic content and was created to serve a purely decorative purpose, even if it is an antique, is of lower monetary value. Contemporary visual artists attempting to achieve the Historic importance in their work have to try very hard to get elevated to a permanent museum status.

Many factors are at play when the stakes are high and not everyone can become a modern hero. If a museum career should occur for a particular artist, that artist's work value will elevate considerably. There are artists alive today, who can be worth up to several millions of doll1rs per piece. Many professional artists can get to a mature phase in their practice and artworks baring their names become valuable commodities and collectables. The works of these artists can often cost within tens of thousands per piece. Emerging artists, students and amature artists often cost less. Their works can be purchased for several hundreds or tens of dollars a piece. Collecting art can be profitable espesialy if a collector knows how to spot a promising future sensation.

by Maxim Grunin

Painting "In Bloom"

2009-06-06T15:05:00.000-07:00

"In Bloom" 2009, acrylic on canvas, 24"X24" (gallery).

Some time in May standing outside of a condo, I've noticed the blooming of crabapple trees. Memories of the occasions when I've admired a similar sight quickly ran through my mind. I moved closer to have a better view of the flowers. Suddenly, at that moment, life appeared to me full of joy and beauty. A sublime moment in my, at that time, uncertain and anxious state of mind.
I videorecorded the process of painting
"In Bloom" to illustrate the stages of making a piece.

PORTFOLIO paintings 2008-2009

2009-06-04T08:44:00.000-07:00

Time Of Tranquility, 2009, oil on canvas, 20"X24" (available)

Warm Spacious & Tall, 2008, acrylic on canvas, 40"X30" (available)

White Garden Roses, 2007, oil on canvas, 22"X28" (available)

Sunlit Pinks & Whites, 2007, oil on canvas, 24"X30" (available)

Time Of Wivid Colours, 2009, acrylic on canvas, 24"X30" (available)

Sunset At The Lake, 2009, oil on canvas, 20"X24" (available)

Stroll By The Stream, 2009, oil on canvas, 20"X24" (available)

Romantic Souls, 2009, oil on canvas, 20"X24" (available)

Nature's Symphony, 2009, acrylic on canvas, 24"X30" (available)

A Breath Of Fresh Air, 2009, acrylic on canvas, 24"X30" (available)

Flight Of The Setting Sun, 2009, oil on canvas, 20"X24" (available)

Tropics, 2008, oil on canvas (triptych), 24"X54" (available)

In Bloom, 2009, acrylic on canvas, 24"X24" (available)

PORTFOLIO paintings May 2009

2009-06-03T12:26:00.000-07:00

The Native Land, 2009, acrylic on canvas, 30"X36"

The New Day, 2009, acrylic on canvas, 24"X36"

Mother Nature, 2009, oil on canvas, 16"X20 (sold)

Native Beauty, 2009, oil on canvas, 16"X20" (sold)

Streaming By, 2009, oil on canvas, 16"X20"

Northern Land, 2009, oil on canvas, 16"X20"

The Wondrous North, 2009, oil on canvas, 16"X20"

Wild Stream, 2007, oil on canvas (framed), 28"X40" (sold)

Under The Sun, 2007, oil on canvas (framed), 27"X23" (sold)

Warm Summer Sunset, 2008, oil on canvas, 34"X40" (sold)

Birch Forest, 2008, acrylic on canvas, 24"X30" (sold)

Sunlit Woods, 2008, oil on canvas, 30"X30" (sold)

Wild Time, 2008, acrylic on canvas, 30"X30" (sold)

In Cool Air, 2008, oil on canvas, 30"X24" (sold)

Golden Path, 2008, oil on canvas, 30"X24"

Time For A Walk, 2008, oil on canvas, 46"X46" (sold)

Road Of The Setting Sun, 2008, oil on canvas, 30"X36"

Native Land, 2008, oil on canvas, 34"X40" (sold)

Far In The Distance, 2008, oil on canvas, 30"X30" (sold)

Town Up Ahead, 2008, oil on canvas, 30"X36" (sold)

Beyond The Hills, 2008, oil on canvas, 30"X30 (sold)

Big Sky, 2008, oil on canvas, 38"X40" (sold)

Links

2009-05-19T18:43:00.000-07:00

Local Art Schools, Ontario, Canada

OCAD Ontario College Of Art & Design - art university located in Toronto, Ontario with programs specializing in every contemporary visual art field. Graduate and postgraduate levels are available.
Sheridan Institute - art university in Oakville, Ontario renowned for it's school on animation and design.
Central Technical School - high school in Toronto with a separate art facility for school age students as well as adult students (diploma granting courses). This is one of the oldest high school art departments in Toronto with faculty consisting of well known professional artists.

Artists Websites

Gerhard Richter

Time- lapse Acrylic Painting of an Alley

2009-05-18T14:53:00.000-07:00

Another time-lapse of step by step painting. I look at a photo of a scene I like, sketch it onto a canvas with a brush and begin to render by building up the layers of paint. Starting with thinner more diluted dark colors helps to establish the contrast in the work. Little by little I would apply progressively more "fat" thicker paint marks using a palette knife.

Time-lapse Painting of a Landscape in Acrylics

2009-05-18T14:45:00.000-07:00

There are aspects of performance in being a painter. After making so many pictures I developed various methods of completing a painting. Here I demonstrate a step by step process taken to produce an artwork. I often use photographic reference to paint from and I enjoy performing.

Maxim Grunin Paintings Slide Show 2009

2009-05-18T14:39:00.000-07:00

Take a look at some of my earlier landscapes in a form of a video.

Videos

2009-05-18T14:37:00.000-07:00

Click on the links to view the videos

Abstract Paintings by Maxim Grunin - Slide show of my new none objective paintings in oils.
Park Corner - Maxim is painting a park corner scene. The video reveals the steps taken by the artist to produce a landscape painting in acrylics.

Time-lapse of a large landscape painting - Artist Maxim Grunin is painting a large 54"X72" landscape painting in acrylics.

Award Winner Maxim Grunin - Artist is awarded an Honoris Causa by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.
YouTube Slide Show of My Earlier Landscapes
Time-lapse Acrylic Landscape, River
Time-lapse Acrylic Landscape, Alley
Self portrait painting by Maxim Grunin - I paint a self portrait and talk about myself.

Articles on the topcs of pianting and visual arts

2009-05-18T13:48:00.000-07:00

Click on the links to read articles written by Maxim Grunin

A Look Inside The Studio - Photos of artist's studio
The Imagined Thoughts - Autobiographical artists statement about my figurative work.
Landscape painting in acrylics - A short writing about painting with acrylics.

Painting Price - Short essay on the subject of "what is included in the price of an artwork besides materials and labor". Painting Price is a quick overview of how a person becomes an artist.
Quality paintings - I talk about physical attributes of paintings that contribute to their longevity. Why does the paint crack and yellow?
Is Gallery Wrap Better? - Examine the stretcher. What is the difference between a gallery wrap and a thinner bar.
Displaying paintings - What do artists and interior designers think about when they arrange paintings on the wall. Tips on hanging paintings in order for them to look great.
High Art VS Kitch on eBay - Art could be anything and yet there is a difference in price and cultural importance. How does an object become a masterpiece in Western culture?

Sketchbook

2009-05-18T13:41:00.000-07:00

Sketches and drawings 2009
Page 1
Page 2

Concept art by Maxim Grunin

2009-02-27T18:50:00.000-08:00

Troll

Yeti

Eye of Evil

Giant

Ettin

Vampire male

Imp

Phantom

Ogre

Gnoll

Friends

2009-02-09T14:33:00.000-08:00

This page is dedicated to the artworks created by other artists.

Abstract Paintings by Maxim Grunin.

2009-01-02T03:14:00.000-08:00

Angel, 40"X30", oil on canvas, 2010

Tranquil, 30"X40", oil on canvas, 2010

Calm Blue, 30"X30", oil on canvas, 2010

Cool Blue, 40"X30", oil on canvas, 2010

Creamy Strawberry, 30"X30", oil on canvas, 2010

In Gray, 30"X30", oil on canvas, 2010

Precious In Pink, 40"X30", oil on canvas, 2010

Rocking Beige, 30"X30", oil on canvas, 2010

Stormy Blue, 30"X30", oil on canvas, 2010

Sunset Memory, 30"X40", oil on canvas, 2010

Try The Flavor, 30"X30", oil on canvas, 2010

The Flavor, 30"X30", oil on canvas, 2010

Warm And Cool, 40"X30", oil on canvas, 2010

Warm Interest, 40"X30", oil on canvas, 2010

Figurative paintings 2010

2009-01-01T21:24:00.000-08:00

Beach Weather, 35"X54", acrylic on canvas, 2010

Free, 22"X28", acrylic on canvas, 2010

Live here now, 48"X48", acrylic on canvas, 2010, sold

More Then, 24"X30", acrylic on canvas, 2009, sold

Remember Me, 48"X48", acrylic on canvas, 2010

Sea Of Fish, 40"X30", acrylic on canvas, 2010, sold

Daydream Color, 30"X40", acrylic on canvas, 2010

To The Wild, 30"X40", acrylic on canvas, 2010, sold

Want You, 30"X40", acrylic on canvas, 2010

Thinking You, Love, 30"X30", acrylic on canvas, 2010, sold

Landscape paintings 2010

2009-01-01T15:13:00.000-08:00

Early Evening, 54"X72", acrylic on canvas, 2009, sold

Park Alley After Rain, 30"X36", acrylic on canvas, 2010

Grass In The Field, 24"X60" diptych, acrylic on canvas, 2009, sold

Sunshine, 24"X36", acrylic on canvas, 2010

Sun Shines Through, 30"X40", acrylic on canvas, 2010, sold

In The Park, 24"X18", acrylic on canvas, 2009

In Spring, 30"X40", acrylic on canvas, 2010

Tall Golden, 40"X30", acrylic on canvas, 2008, sold

Woods By The Field, 30"X24", acrylic on canvas, 2010

Harbourfront Toronto, 24"X30", acrylic on canvas, 2010

Portfolio Assembly

2009-01-01T09:32:00.000-08:00

Information: maximgruninart@yahoo.ca

In response to questions from students about creating fine art portfolio for college and university art programs, I will provide a comprehensive, in depth description of what an art student portfolio is. Student portfolio consists of 20-25 works created within the last 1-2 years prior to applying to post secondary programs in visual arts. Student works determine his or her level of skills and ability in various art disciplines as well as their area of interest.

Portfolio requirements are provided by the schools and can usually be found on university’s website. Before considering submitting an application for enrollment, students must visit that particular school’s open house in order to make a firm decision about their choice. School’s requirements often change and vary. Students should inquire about the open house dates, programs description, academic and portfolio requirements in order to prepare for application submission.

Here is an overview of major areas of art studies offered by post secondary schools in North America: Drawing and Painting, Design, Animation, Integrated Media (film, photography, audio, performance and more), Sculpture, Printmaking, Curatorial Studies, Art Theory and History. These areas of study provide Undergraduate, Graduate and Post Graduate degrees. My focus is on the portfolio of students entering undergraduate and college levels.

Some schools clearly outline what is expected from applicants regarding their portfolios. For example, Sheridan College School of Animation will provide a list of specific skills and number of projects to be completed by the candidates. Other schools only specify the dimensions and the number of works necessary for evaluation. Highly sought after programs with specific portfolio requirements demand certain degree of skill proficiency. Students are expected to already have some education in fine art, for example, Life Drawing courses must be taken in order to complete required Figure Drawing projects. Many programs without specific technical focus, will evaluate candidates based on the portfolio of their recent works. In this case students have to demonstrate a broad range of interest in visual art and include works that best describe their ability.

Applicant’s portfolio does not have to cover every area of interest in fine art. Students come with different backgrounds in art education. Some will have variety of skills obtained from High School Art Programs and other will be more focused, for example, on photography or Flash Animation. However, there are recommended portfolio components that the judges will consider valuable. Candidates with strong drawing skills gain a considerable edge, which is why 2-3 Sketchbooks must be included in student’s portfolio. Taking classes proves very important. Students who learn from professional artists are often able to demonstrate higher levels of skill proficiency then those who rely on High School courses or on no courses at all. Candidates who invested in extra curricular art education gain invaluable training, experience and mentor-ship that contributes to their over all success when it comes to acceptance in post secondary programs.

Examples:

Figure Drawing Anatomy 1
Figure Drawing 1
Concept Art Drawing1

Figurative paintings 2010

2009-01-01T06:32:00.000-08:00

Metro Juncture, 30"X40", acrylic on canvas, 2010

Autumn Here, 30"X30", acrylic on canvas, 2010 sold

A Girl With A Cock, 40"X30", acrylic on canvas, 2010 sold

Can Be Brighter, 30"X30", acrylic on canvas, 2010

Change Of Season, 48"X48", acrylic on canvas, 2010 sold

Summer Showers, 30"X30", acrylic on canvas, 2010 sold

Summer Of Love, 40"X30", acrylic on canvas, 2010

Unexpectedly Silent, 30"X40", acrylic on canvas, 2010

Evening Sun, 18"X24", acrylic on canvas, 2010 sold

Untitled, 16"X20", acrylic on canvas, 2010

Maxim Grunin Contact Information

2009-01-01T05:58:00.000-08:00

Email: maximgruninart@yahoo.ca

Address: 53 Walkview Cres. Richmond Hill, ON, L4E 4H6

Figurative paintings 2009

2009-01-01T05:24:00.000-08:00

At the beach, 30"X30", acrylic on canvas, sold

Saint Mary kitty, 28"X20", oil on canvas

Beach dreamy, 30"X30", acrylic on canvas

Thinking you, 30"X30", acrylic on canvas, sold

Run wild, 24"X36", acrylic on canvas

Travel far, 30"X30", acrylic on canvas

Head study, 30"X24", oil on canvas

Woman bathing, 30"X24", acrylic and clear resin on canvas, sold

Wonder figure paint, 36"X24", acrylic on canvas, sold

Figurative paintings 2009

2009-01-01T04:09:00.000-08:00

Ah, you tiger, 20"X16", oil on canvas

Ambiguous take, 28"X20", mixed media

Chain key, 30"X30", acrylic on canvas

City spirit, 24"X36", acrylic on canvas

City revisiting, 24"X24", acrylic on canvas

Email to my love, 24"X24", oil on canvas, sold

Friendly face, 24"X24", acrylic on canvas, sold

Love glimpse, 24"X24", acrylic on canvas, sold

Make me dance, 40"X60" diptych, acrylic on canvas, sold

My God and cross, 36"X24", acrylic on canvas, sold

Drawings page 1

2009-01-01T02:50:00.000-08:00

Girl's head study, smililng

Females face closeup

Girl smiling

Girl with pigtails

Figure in pen, pencil and marker

Woman standing and looking down

Woman on the beach looking for shells

Landscape paintings 2009

2009-01-01T02:39:00.000-08:00

Native land, 16" X 20", oil on canvas, sold

Ancient land, 16" X 20", oil on canvas, sold

Setting sun, 30" X 36", oil on canvas

Road in the woods, 30" X 24", oil on canvas

Beyond the hills, 30" X 30", oil on canvas, sold

Autumn wild, 30" X 30", acrylic on canvas, sold

Sun shines through, 30" X 30", oil on canvas, sold

Stream up North, 24" X 36", oil on canvas, sold

Beautiful day out, 24" X 30", acrylic on canvas

Sunset at lake, 18" X 24", oil on canvas, sold

Landscape paintings 2009

2009-01-01T02:21:00.000-08:00

Fields and sky, 30" X 40", oil on canvas, sold

Sail far away, 30" X 30", oil on canvas, sold

Native Land, 30" X40", oil on canvas, sold

Up ahead, 30" X 36", oil on canvas, sold

Wishbone, 24" X 18", oil on canvas, sold

Stream up North, 30" X 40" acrylic on canvas

In Fall color, 24" X 30", acrylic on canvas

On the edge of the forest, 30" X 40", acrylic on canvas, sold

Stroll by the stream, 18" X 24", oil on canvas

Sun is out again, 30" X 36", acrylic on canvas, sold

Landscape paintings 2009

2009-01-01T02:01:00.000-08:00

Cool clean air, 24" X 30", oil on canvas, sold

After Levitan, birches, 24" X 30", acrylic on canvas, sold

Warm evening, 30" X 36", oil on canvas, sold

Breath of fresh air, 24" X 30", acrylic on canvas, sold

City park trail, 36" X 24", acrylic on canvas

Weekend, 30" X 30", acrylic on canvas

Early evening, 24" X 30", acrylic on canvas

Just outside the city, 18" X 48" diptych, acrylic on canvas

Out in the countryside, 30" X 30", acrylic on canvas

Road to lake, 30" X 60" diptych, acrylic on canvas, sold

Landscape paintings 2009

2009-01-01T01:21:00.000-08:00

It's so nice outside, 30" X 30", acrylic on canvas

Light in the forest, 24" X 36", acrylic on canvas

Out rain or shine, 24" X 24", acrylic on canvas

The park, 24" X 30", acrylic on canvas

Spring is here, 30" X 30", acrylic on canvas, sold

Sunny smile, 30" X 30", acrylic on canvas, sold

Sun is out, 24" X 18", acrylic on canvas

Trail by ravine, 24" X 30", acrylic on canvas

Watching sunset, 24" X 30", acrylic on canvas, sold

Woods by the soccer field, 36" X 24", acrylic on canvas, sold

Figurative Painting 2011 set 1

2008-03-09T18:32:00.000-07:00

Dreamer, 30"X30", acrylic on canvas, 2011

Mysterious Truth, 30"X40", acrylic on canvas, 2010 sold

While I Wait For You, 30"X30", acrylic on canvas, 2011

Home Far Away, 30"X30", acrylic on canvas, 2011

Flowers, 18"X24", acrylic on canvas, 2010

Here With You, 30"X30", acrylic on canvas, 2011

Let's Go, 30"X24", mixed media on canvas, 2011

Wave Of Desire, 40"X30", acrylic on canvas, 2011

You Standing There, 40"X30", acrylic on canvas, 2011

I Want What I See, 30"X40", acrylic on canvas, 2011 sold

Figurative Painting 2011 set 2

2008-03-09T15:04:00.000-07:00

Swimming & Dreaming, 30"X40", acrylic on canvas, 2011

Colors Of Spring, 30"X40", acrylic on canvas, 2011

Realize, 30"X40", acrylic on canvas, 2011

Inseparable, 30"X40", acrylic on canvas, 2011

The Master, 30"X40", acrylic on canvas, 2011

In Dreams, 40"X30", acrylic on canvas, 2011

Landscape Paintings 2010

2007-11-19T07:14:00.000-08:00

Park Sunlight, 40"X60" diptych, acrylic on canvas, 2010

Reflected, 30"X30", acrylic on canvas, 2010 sold

Park Alley, 24"X36", acrylic on canvas, 2010 sold

Abstract Painting by Maxim Grunin

2007-11-08T22:06:00.000-08:00