Sarah Grundy-Artist

27/01/2023

Watercolour painting

I'm quite new to watercolour painting but really enjoying learning. Not only does putting masking tape down make a lovely border, but it is extremely satisfying to remove!

Can't wait to paint more of these little ones:)

25/01/2023

For some reason I get a lot less cat portraits orders than dogs! I loved working from the photo of these cats, I love the contrast of the dark against the light. There are so many details in their faces compared to their bodies.

23/01/2023

That time that my sister and I turned up at my exhibition last year wearing almost the same thing haha. She's my best friend as well as my sister! She is leaving in April for 6 months to walk the Pacific Crest Trail (if you've seen the movie Wild you know what I am talking about). I'm sad she is leaving but happy for her.

Speaking of exhibitions... I'm considering doing another one this year. If anyone knows of any cafes or galleries that might be good please let me know!

20/01/2023

I felt so creatively blocked at the end of last year.. I think it was due to non work stresses. When we went away over the New Year, I spent the first week feeling a bit irritated, tired and uncreative. Then I started doing some reflecting on the year with my partner and in my journal.

As I worked through a few things, I slowly was feeling my creativity come back! By the end of the trip I had lots of notes about artistic ideas and directions. I think that everyone goes through these phases, and sometimes you have to sort out the other stuff in your mind before you can get creative.

18/01/2023

Just got back from New Zealand and here's a little taste of the scenery... so amazing! Totally worthy of the hype.

We spent nearly three weeks travelling around in a campervan. It was really nice to get some perspective, especially around my art. I had this realisation that my journey as an artist is lifelong... looking at it like this means that I don't worry so much about the day to day bits and pieces of what's working and what's not.

I hope everyone had the chance to have a little break and is feeling a bit more refreshed and relaxed.

16/01/2023

When I am drawing from a photo, I generally just start from a random spot. But when I am life drawing, this technique doesn't work so well! When I am life drawing I use the more common technique of drawing really rough shapes first and then slowly adding more detail.

13/01/2023

Awww.. one of my first ever portrait paintings from a few years ago! And still to this day one of my all time faves. Amy Winehouse- love her music and think she is such an incredible musician.

If you have a favourite musician and would like to order a painting, get in touch:)

11/01/2023

This guy looks like he's been out for a beach run in the heat! What are your favourite beaches around Melbourne? No matter the weather I love going on long beach walks/runs. I usually go to Saint Kilda/Brighton for a walk because they are closest to me, but keen to venture out a bit more!

Also, I am currently taking orders for late Feb and March:) Do you have any birthdays or anniversaries on in these months?

09/01/2023

FOR SALE:
John Lennon
65x41cm
Oil on Canvas

$550

John Lennon’s eyes draw the viewer into his inner world, and make you wonder what is happening underneath the surface. The multicoloured, trippy style of this painting celebrates John Lennon as a peace-loving, anti-war icon. This kaleidoscopic painting will brighten up any space.

06/01/2023

Caption this drawing

Caption this drawing haha!

Here's my one (Shoutout to all of the teachers out there):

"I'm waiting... This is your time not mine.... this is your lunch time"
😂

04/01/2023

Around this time last year I was up in Daylesford painting this giant Blue Wren. Such a great opportunity!

I am really wanting to paint some more murals this year. I already have an outdoor mural which I will be starting in a couple of weeks:)

I had this idea about going into schools and painting a mural- with help from the kids (and they can be involved in the design process etc).

I think this would work well because I am an ex-teacher, plus my experience as an artist- it just makes sense! Thoughts?

02/01/2023

Happy New Year everyone! I am interested to know if people have made New Years resolutions this year?

I generally choose a word for the year to focus on, last year was "Self Acceptance". A bit heavy I know haha but necessary. I am considering something a bit lighter this year, maybe "Laughter"... I haven't decided yet!

30/12/2022

A HUGE thank you to everyone this year who has purchased an a drawing or a painting from me. It honestly means to much to me, you can't even imagine!

A big thank you as well to every person that likes and comments and shares my posts, this really does make a difference because it means more people will see my art.

It's been such a great year with my first exhibition, and selling a record number of paintings! Happy New Year, can't wait to continue this journey next year with you all xo

PS Photo caption: "Should we do this again next year?" (obviously definitely yes)

28/12/2022

I hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas portraits and just had a wonderful day in general! I would LOVE it if you could send me videos or photos of the person opening their portrait, or them with the portrait or the portrait in it's new home.

OR if you could tag me in any posts/stories, honestly that helps so much.

Thank you in advance:)

24/12/2022

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! Enjoy your Christmas portraits:) I hope you have a wonderful day, no matter what you are doing. I'm off to New Zealand for two and a half weeks... travelling around in a van! I will still be posting but may just take a bit longer than usual to reply:)

Peace and flowers xo

23/12/2022

I love doing drawings like this... her father passed away so he never got to meet his grand-daughter. So I put them all together in the same drawing. The drawing is a gift from her brother- I hope it is meaningful for her :) Such a lovely idea.

21/12/2022

WOW that's a lot of dogs! Honestly, about every couple of days I pinch myself that I get to do this for a job. Thank you to each and every single person that ordered or purchased something from me this year, I appreciate you so much:)

19/12/2022

I love this time of year! We had our big family Christmas a week early this year, I think that that's the way to go!

We have also just been making it easier and easier every year. We used to all get each other presents, then we were doing a Kris Kringle, and this year- only presents for the kids (of which there is only one at the moment).

So the only thing left to do is make some delicious food and enjoy each other's company:)

PS LAST CHANCE to purchase a gift voucher or one of my paintings for Christmas as this is my last couple of days of work for the year:)

18/12/2022

Yep, that's right I am all booked out for 2022 BUT I do have gift vouchers for sale! This means that your loved one can choose whatever photo they like:) You can give a gift voucher for a black and white portrait or a painting on canvas.

Please get in touch if you are interested and we can have a chat:)

15/12/2022

I reached my goal of reading 52 books in a year! It's so funny because before this I was never really a reader, I would read about 4 books in a year. It's been great, I love escaping into books:)

Worst book: The Perfect Marriage (4.04 on goodreads, surely a scam)
Best book: Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins-Reid
Most embarrassing: I read wayyy too many books by the author of Bridgerton😂

I'm keen to hear what your favourite books of the year are?

12/12/2022

Belated happy birthday to my mum, who we lovingly call "The Woman". She is an inspiration! For her 60th birthday she walked the Larapinta trail with a friend- 230km! She is also a mental health nurse- she changed career about 10 years ago. The Woman became plant based around the same time as me, about 5 years ago and is now healthier than ever!

She is an inspiration for how I want to be living when I am her age.

07/12/2022

A self portrait I did back in 2017! I find drawing people I know so much easier than drawing people I don't know. We have evolved to read faces so well... which means it's really easy to see when something looks out of place in a face of someone you know.

07/12/2022

How do you know when something is finished?

How do you know when a piece of art is finished? You can think of it in the same way that you think about how you know if a muffin is finished when you are baking...

There is nothing more to add, nothing more to do, and if you add anything else you are going to make it worse. The tricky bit for most artists is you are never really 100% happy with it... you have to let go of your perfectionism:)
.

05/12/2022

Just curious, what type of posts do you like to see from me? What do you find interesting? Tips for drawings? Or more vulnerable personal posts? Or is a mix good?

I am just reflecting on the year and what my approach will be next year:)

Thank you in advance xo

02/12/2022

These two paintings were snapped up in an instant at my Exhibition in August! If you would like to commission something similar, the price range for something like this (Approx 50x60cm on canvas) is about $350-$400.

Please get in touch if you are interested:)

30/11/2022

Video for Officeworks

Check out my "How to" video on the Officeworks Instagram page:) Thanks Officeworks, what a great opportunity:)

28/11/2022

Goddess
Acrylic on board
60.5cm x 91cm
$300

This painting is a celebration of women. The red in the background symbolises strength and bravery. The bluey-green strokes represent fluidity in how a woman’s identity changes over her lifetime.

25/11/2022

Is it better to choose a photo of just the face or the whole body as well? I think that the real close ups turn out better! But it is really up to you and your preferences:)

23/11/2022

I set a goal at the start of last year to do more painting commissions... and it has been a huge last couple of years! Here are some of the commissions I have painted over the last couple of years.

As you can see, there are quite a variety of styles and subjects! I love dipping my toes into different styles so please let me know if you have something in mind and we can discuss:)

I'm now taking bookings for 2023.

21/11/2022

You know how it always gets to this time of year and we think "Okay, this year I'm going to do a bit less around Christmas time so it's not as crazy".

WELL I'M REALLY DOING IT THIS TIME! Kind of haha... it is tricky because this is my busiest time of year by far for portraits so I do need to work a lot harder than usual.

But it's like we feel as if we need to catch up with ALL of our friends and family before the end of the year, as if the year is a ticking time bomb. I'm trying to let go of this a bit more this year.

Do you feel the same or do you embrace the Christmas craziness?

18/11/2022

My painting style and personality go hand in hand

Obviously there are times when you need to slow down and be super careful when you are painting... like when you are painting intricate details.

But the rest of the time I'm moving pretty quickly- I just get in a groove and go! I don't really stress or think too much about what I am doing to be honest. After all, most mistakes can be fixed:)

As Bob Ross says, "We don't make mistakes, just happy accidents".

16/11/2022

Yes that's right! I draw all pets, not only dogs... I've drawn horses, frogs, tigers (that one wasn't a pet haha), cats, fish, goats, lizards and birds. So you if you have a little scaly or feathered friend you love, no need for them to feel excluded!

Or even if you just think a particular animal is really cool and would like a hyperreal drawing of it on your wall, get in touch and we can have a chat:)

12/11/2022

I have a confession to make. I have been cheating on drawing with piano.

I had two great loves when I was a child and teenager- art and playing the piano. I started playing piano when I was 7. When I was in my late teens/early 20s I taught piano as well. My students and I played concerts at retirement homes and it was so lovely and fun.

When I became a Primary School Teacher in my early 20s, I felt like I didn't have the time or energy for much else. I had to choose between my two great loves, and I chose art.

For years, I thought about piano and at times my heart ached to play. I was too scared though because I thought I would be horrible!

After 10 years of heartache, I have finally moved the piano from my parents house to my place...and now we are reunited!😍 I am surprised at how easily I picked it back up! Now art, piano and I are in a polyamorous relationship and I think I speak for the three of us when I say we have never been happier😂

But seriously, best decision ever.

09/11/2022

This painting is for sale, first in best dressed:

Gandhi
Acrylic on Canvas
50.2cm x 60.5cm
$400

This painting is a smiling reminder that there are amazingly kind and strong people in the world. When I look at Gandhi, I see a man who spent most of his life smiling despite it’s difficulties and traumas. His calls for non-violent communication resonate with so many of us and continue to inspire people decades after his death.

Please get in touch if you are interested:)

07/11/2022

I recently went to the ACMI's exhibition Light: Works from Tate's collection and it was SO GOOD. Also, if you book online the tickets seem to be cheaper than if you pay when you're there (shh, not sure if this is some kind of mistake haha).

Here is a drawing with my own focus on light. This guy was out sitting in the bright sun and I love the simplicity of the lines in contrast with the darkness of the shadows.

02/11/2022

People always say to me "I wish I could draw, I can only draw stick figures!". I believe that if you really want to, and you have the time, anyone could become a great artist.

Do you remember when you were a kid? Most of us WERE little artists... then we get too busy and/or too self conscious to continue drawing, painting and creating. We start putting labels on ourselves like "I'm not good enough to do that", "I'm good at sport and bad at art".

I think the main question is, do you want to draw? The second question is, do you have the time or can you make it? It just takes persistence and time... and it helps to not take yourself too seriously:)

31/10/2022

Just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone who recommends me to a friend. A lot of my new customers are from recommendations, so it really does make a huge difference when you do that:)

Thank you also to everyone who has been recommending me in groups and noticeboards on Facebook!

27/10/2022

How to draw a dog portrait:

1. Print off a photo of the dog and rule grid lines
2. Rule grid lines on a blank piece of paper
3. Draw the basic outline of the dog's features on your paper & rub out grid lines
4. Begin to fill in the details
5. Blend with cotton buds, cotton wool & blending stumps
6. Go over with small and large erasers, adding highlights

Materials:
-Paper
-Ruler
-Blending stumps
-Cotton buds and cotton wool
-Soft, medium & hard charcoal pencils
-Charcoal sticks
-Different grades of pencils (HB-8B)
-Fine eraser, kneadable eraser

Let me know how you go:)

26/10/2022

I had a blissful day in the Dandenong Ranges taking photos of flowers and when the day was finished I could feel that a good painting was about to happen!

This was a commission piece- the brief was brief (haha) which is always fun for me! So I ran with this idea of an up close flower painting, with the light peaking through the background and illuminating the garden. I wanted it to be realistic but also a bit magical and surreal.

What a blessing it was to spend my days painting this.

24/10/2022

I had a really fun time at my stall at the Best Friends Pets Pakenham store on Saturday! I am considering doing more markets or events in the first half of next year... would love your suggestions on good crafty kind of markets/fetes etc that you think a portraits stall would work at?

In the past I have had stalls at the Rose Street Market and St Andrews Market (two of my all time faves).

Thank you in advance xo