Brian Grimm Works
Brian Grimm
B i o g r a p h y
1968-
Brian spent his youth exploring the woods on his family farm in central Texas. If forced to go indoors, he would draw. His sense of adventure tested his parents when at age eight he began to flag down passing trains. Eventually, the train's engineer would blow a signal whistle to let Brian know of their approach. He was allowed to drive the trains and rode in one of the few cabooses that remained in service at that time.
He spent his teens helping on the family farm and playing football but art was always a focus. At sixteen, a fortuitous introduction to wildlife artist, Ken Carlson struck up a mentorship that greatly influenced Brian’s subject matter. The study of Impressionist works, and forming a foundation en plein air, furthered Brian's unique vision that resonates in his paintings.
Brian harnessed his restless energy and studied art full-time, graduating from Austin Community College with a degree in commercial art. He remained in Austin, working as a graphic designer for a sign company for seven years. He enjoyed his time there and used it to perfect a niche for hand painted signs. As technology began to overtake the hand, Brian began to focus more on fine art.
Traditional by choice, Brian prefers a time-honored approach to his painting. Rough thumbnail sketches are developed. Once the final design and sketch is in place, a grid is hand drawn to enlarge to the canvas or board. A charcoal sketch is refined, and then a wash of oil paint is used to develop values before the final painting.
Brian makes frequent reference trips to study animals. He paints landscape studies, plein air which he finds crucial to the honesty and air in his paintings. “I can’t bring myself to use a mouse or push a button to create my art when I enjoy the traditional methods so much. I believe something gets lost in translation when you let something get between you and nature."
Select Publications and Honors:
Southwest Magazine 2017 Top 100 Artistic Excellence
Panhandle Plains Museum 2015 Jim Ward Memorial Award
Western Art Collector Sep 2015
Mammals in Art, Ashley Rooney 2015
Contemporary Artists of the Southwest, Ashley
Rooney 2014
Southwest Art Magazine Oct 2013
Art of the West May/June 2011
Western Art and Architecture Winter 2010
Select Shows:
Texas Masters
InSight Gallery 2018
Fredericksburg, TX
American Miniatures 2004 - 2018
Settlers West Gallery, Tucson, AZ
Miniatures Show 2008 - 2017
Collectors Covey, Dallas, TX
Great American West Show 2016
Settlers West Gallery, Tucson, AZ
Solo Show 2015 Southwest Art Gallery, Dallas, TX
Western Visions 2009 - 2015 National Museum of Wildlife Art,
Jackson, WY
Legacy of Nature 2006 - 2015 Legacy Gallery, Jackson, WY
Scottsdale Art Auction 2008 - 2012 Scottsdale, AZ
Dallas Fine Art Auction 2011 - 2012 Dallas, TX
Beauty of the Beast 2011 Rockwell Museum of Western Art, Corning, NY
Small Works Great Wonders 2008 - 2010
National Cowboy Museum, OK