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Digital art in not merely an extension of classical art, it is its natural evolution. It is what decades of drawing, painting on canvas, long hours in darkroom with complicated photomontage techniques led to. But unlike many conservatives first think ( my grandmother for instance), not to simplify the process, but to enhance it and take it to entirely new level of expressive freedom. The imagination never came closer to reality before. Through digital art, 2D and 3D softwares we make it happen. It is our doorway.
There are thousands of great artist out there, and new are born by the hour, but only one is my greatest source of inspiration and the finest example of that smooth transition from traditional fine art to digital art technology, making it so obvious that now - only our imagination is the limit.
Here is a short biography of an amazing neo-surrealist artist George Grie, his personal insights and statements, as well as a great collection of his work that I’m sure inspires and challenges many who, just like me, are left breath-taken.
George Grie (Yuri Georgevich Gribanovski) was born on the 14th of May 1962, in Omisk, USSR. He studied Fine Art and Applied Design at the State University (Grie, O., 2004), from which he graduated in 1985. From start-on, he knew that he wasn’t going to follow traditional routes and started experimenting with neo-surrealistic painting. That career didn’t last long (till 1995), but it was quite successful. In 1989 he had his first international exhibition at Mistral Gallery in London (S9.com,2008) ,followed by exhibitions in Stockholm, Saint- Petersburg and Helsinki.
“Grie's paintings are concerned with the portrayal of strong and powerful images relying on visual impact. They are about capturing visual paradoxes, sometimes they depict calm and contemplative moments, solitude, and sometimes melancholy. There is a stillness in his themes, which conveys a sense of inner-reflection and self-observation.” (Grie, O.,2004)
Fig. 1
Grie, G. (1985-1995) Silence is deceitful [Oil on canvas]. George Grie’s neo-surrealism art gallery [Online].Available at: http://neosurrealism.artdigitaldesign.com/modern-artists/?artworks/fine-art/silence-is-deceitful.html (Accessed: 10 June 2010).
Fig. 2
Grie, G. (1985-1995) The birth of Venus No2 [Oil on canvas]. George Grie’s neo-surrealism art gallery [Online]. Available at: http://neosurrealism.artdigitaldesign.com/modern-artists/?artworks/fine-art/the-birth-of-venus-no2.html (Accessed: 10 June 2010).
Grie, G. (1985-1995) The birth of Venus No2 [Oil on canvas]. George Grie’s neo-surrealism art gallery [Online]. Available at: http://neosurrealism.artdigitaldesign.com/modern-artists/?artworks/fine-art/the-birth-of-venus-no2.html (Accessed: 10 June 2010).
Fig. 3
Grie, G. (1995) Loneliness with the World [Oil on Canvas]. George Grie’s neo-surrealism art gallery [Online]. Available at: http://www.neosurrealismart.com/modern-art-prints/?artworks/loneliness-with-the-world.html (Accessed: 10 June 2010).
Grie, G. (1995) Loneliness with the World [Oil on Canvas]. George Grie’s neo-surrealism art gallery [Online]. Available at: http://www.neosurrealismart.com/modern-art-prints/?artworks/loneliness-with-the-world.html (Accessed: 10 June 2010).
In 1995, Grie moved to Toronto, Canada, deciding to study digital art and change the course of his career, becoming a professional Multimedia Graphic Designer (Grie, O., 2004). He became a new lead specialist for IBM Corporation.
By transferring his fine-art neo-surrealist techniques into digital world of 2D and 3D softwares, his art reached an entirely new level, where dreamscapes and reality mix together in awe-striking and seamless photo-manipulations.
His style was influenced by famous surrealist like Rene Magritte and Salvador Dali (Tatyana_Art,2009), fantastic realist Zdislaw Beksinski, and of course Jerry N. Uelsmann, one I’m sure is his yang or non-digital twin. Even though Uelsmann is quite old now, he still makes truly mesmerizing photo-manipulations and has never touched digital technology in terms of using some photo-editing software. Perhaps he is one of the reasons why I like Grie’s work so much,both having very similar surreal style and feel in their work.
Olga Grie wrote for George’s biography:
“Often journeying into the subconscious, Grie's work shows a magical and playful, dream-like world laced with mastery details. Supernatural illusions, mystic romanticism, spiritual magic, and delusional trance are all together presented in his digital world. It is not always a comfortable, conventional world. There is a great deal of tension and of alienation in the strange events taking place in the landscape of his imagination.” (Grie, O. ,2004)
Fig. 4
Grie, G. (2008) Full moon rising [Online]. Available at: http://thumbs.imagekind.com/member/b3e6ccd8-b562-4104-8b9a- 701bd1615e5e/uploadedartwork/650X650/9d237e50-1d0f-44fe-b171-56d964b94bd8.jpg (Accessed: 10 June 2010).
Grie, G. (2008) Full moon rising [Online]. Available at: http://thumbs.imagekind.com/member/b3e6ccd8-b562-4104-8b9a- 701bd1615e5e/uploadedartwork/650X650/9d237e50-1d0f-44fe-b171-56d964b94bd8.jpg (Accessed: 10 June 2010).
Fig. 5
Grie, G. (2006) Mermaid syndrome [Online]. Available at: http://thumbs.imagekind.com/member/b3e6ccd8-b562-4104-8b9a- 701bd1615e5e/uploadedartwork/650X650/7f7760b1-8572-40b8-b1d4-5b3d37d3a8d0.jpg (Accessed: 10 June 2010).
Grie, G. (2006) Mermaid syndrome [Online]. Available at: http://thumbs.imagekind.com/member/b3e6ccd8-b562-4104-8b9a- 701bd1615e5e/uploadedartwork/650X650/7f7760b1-8572-40b8-b1d4-5b3d37d3a8d0.jpg (Accessed: 10 June 2010).
Fig. 6
Grie, G. (2007) Panic Attack or Anxiety PTSD [Online]. Available at: http://www.redbubble.com/people/surrealismart/art/1588822-1-panic-attack-or-anxiety-ptsd# (Accessed: 10 June 2010).
Grie, G. (2007) Panic Attack or Anxiety PTSD [Online]. Available at: http://www.redbubble.com/people/surrealismart/art/1588822-1-panic-attack-or-anxiety-ptsd# (Accessed: 10 June 2010).
Fig. 7
Grie, G. (2007) The Last Harbour or In Search of castaway nautilus [Online].Available at: http://digitalart.org/images/artwork/0054000-54435/miscellaneous/last-harbour-or-in-search-of-castaway-nautilus.jpg (Accessed: 10 June 2010).
Grie, G. (2007) The Last Harbour or In Search of castaway nautilus [Online].Available at: http://digitalart.org/images/artwork/0054000-54435/miscellaneous/last-harbour-or-in-search-of-castaway-nautilus.jpg (Accessed: 10 June 2010).
Fig. 8
Grie, G. (2008) Angels and Demons or Angel of Mercy [Online]. Available at: http://www.neosurrealismart.com/modern-art-prints/?artworks/angels-and-demons-or-angel-of-mercy.html&fullsize (Accessed: 10 June 2010).
Grie, G. (2008) Angels and Demons or Angel of Mercy [Online]. Available at: http://www.neosurrealismart.com/modern-art-prints/?artworks/angels-and-demons-or-angel-of-mercy.html&fullsize (Accessed: 10 June 2010).
A part of the image description:
“The Angel of Mercy was one of the first of the caring Angels, and all the spirits, this one has to be of extreme compassion, gentleness, and to have Love radiating from its very being, for no-one can leave this world without being touched by this Spirit.” (Grie, G.,2008).
He always writes comments to accompany his images, but they are more some random thoughts, philosophies and definitions of the key elements represented in the image, rather than revealing of its meaning. He says (2003) it is because he doesn’t want to force his opinion, it is on viewers to find their own meaning of the images and interpret them to their liking. The only hint he gives is the title.
Fig. 9
Grie, G. (2009) Cathedral of Notre-Dame, Our Lady Reims [Online]. Available at: http://www.neosurrealismart.com/modern-art-prints/?artworks/cathedral-of-notre-dame-our-lady-reims.html&fullsize (Accessed: 10 June 2010).
Grie, G. (2009) Cathedral of Notre-Dame, Our Lady Reims [Online]. Available at: http://www.neosurrealismart.com/modern-art-prints/?artworks/cathedral-of-notre-dame-our-lady-reims.html&fullsize (Accessed: 10 June 2010).
Fig. 10
Grie, G. (2005) Noah's Ark or delusion of grandeur [Online]. Available at: http://www.neosurrealismart.com/modern-art-prints/?artworks/noah-s-ark-or-delusion-of-grandeur.html&fullsize (Accessed: 10 June 2010).
Grie, G. (2005) Noah's Ark or delusion of grandeur [Online]. Available at: http://www.neosurrealismart.com/modern-art-prints/?artworks/noah-s-ark-or-delusion-of-grandeur.html&fullsize (Accessed: 10 June 2010).
“In the majority of my artworks, I am trying to merge real world images with subconscious emotions and philosophical thoughts. Many of my creations are similar to mental puzzles where you can take a trip from one point to the very end by analyzing symbolic objects laying around. Occasionally, image subject matters are unclear when the path is hidden under layers of mutually excepted items. Sometimes, a picture could appear almost abstract and meaningless but there is always something for you to discover.” (Grie, G.,2003).
At this point, I ask myself what sorts of software he uses and what inspires him to make these incredible peaces. Thankfully, I am not the first, and so he has written a sort of a self-interview, trying to explain and answer some of these questions that probably still spam his email on a daily basis.
His main applications are Adobe Photoshop and 3ds Max (Grie, 2008), then Poser and Daz Studio for 3D model rendering, MojoWorld and Terragen for landscape generating, and of course Zbrush and CreatureCreator. It takes him about a weak to finish one of his pieces or at least he tries to keep it as a deadline, thinking that he might lose the trail of his original thoughts if he gives himself more time for it.
He says that his inspiration can come from anywhere and anything, “as long as it carries a strong visual, philosophical, or emotional message.” (Grie, G.,2008)Other people’s artworks are also a great source of inspiration for him:
“ An idea enveloped in an art form can trigger my creativity regardless of the subject matter it represents, and I’m on the journey to give life to those ideas kept at the back of my mind.”(Grie, G.,2008).
At times, though, I find him too self-critical about his art, because each of his pieces is unique and powerful in its own way, and every time I look at one of them I feel inspired and already shaping some ideas of my own. But I would definitely agree with him on the matter that making a good concept for artwork is always more difficult than bringing it to life. As he says: “A poor concept, even perfectly executed, still makes a mediocre, tasteless artwork.” (Grie, G.,2008). With him, I doubt it can ever happen:
Fig.11
Grie,G. (2005) Kali the Destroyer [Online].Available at: http://www.neosurrealismart.com/modern-art-prints/?artworks/kali-the-destroyer.html (Accessed: 10 June 2010).
Grie,G. (2005) Kali the Destroyer [Online].Available at: http://www.neosurrealismart.com/modern-art-prints/?artworks/kali-the-destroyer.html (Accessed: 10 June 2010).
Fig. 12
Grie, G. (2008) Mindscape or virtual reality dreamscape [Online]. Available at: http://www.neosurrealismart.com/modern-art-prints/?artworks/mindscape-or-virtual-reality-dreamscape.html (Accessed: 10 June 2010).
Grie, G. (2008) Mindscape or virtual reality dreamscape [Online]. Available at: http://www.neosurrealismart.com/modern-art-prints/?artworks/mindscape-or-virtual-reality-dreamscape.html (Accessed: 10 June 2010).
Fig. 13
Grie,G. (2009) Insomnia or Nocturnal Awakening [Online]. Available at: http://www.neosurrealismart.com/modern-art-prints/?artworks/insomnia-or-nocturnal-awakening.html (Accessed: 10 June 2010).
Grie,G. (2009) Insomnia or Nocturnal Awakening [Online]. Available at: http://www.neosurrealismart.com/modern-art-prints/?artworks/insomnia-or-nocturnal-awakening.html (Accessed: 10 June 2010).
Fig. 14
Grie,G. (2006) Arrested Expansion or Cardiac Arrest [Online]. Available at: http://www.neosurrealismart.com/modern-art-prints/?artworks/arrested-expansion-or-cardiac-arrest.html (Accessed: 10 June 2010).
Grie,G. (2006) Arrested Expansion or Cardiac Arrest [Online]. Available at: http://www.neosurrealismart.com/modern-art-prints/?artworks/arrested-expansion-or-cardiac-arrest.html (Accessed: 10 June 2010).
Fig. 15Grie, G. (2004) Confluence or guided meditation [Online].Available at:
http://www.neosurrealismart.com/modern-art-prints/?artworks/confluence-or-guided-meditation.html (Accessed: 10 June 2010).
From his mithical beings, breathtaking landsapes and stillness in motion, I can hardly find the proper words to describe the impact his art has on me. Even some of his darker, more troublesome pieces, leave me contemplating and brooding over things for hours, as there are those little disturbing places in each of as, as well as times when a person is ready to enter one small philosophical discusion with oneself.
As source of inspiration, for me, he’s invaluable. As digital artist, he deserves far greater credit than he gives himself. It is very hard to find a unique art these days, or just a taste of some thought behind the artwork. In that sense, Grie is priceless.And can he also serve as a proof that digital technology and softwares are invaluable tools of self-expression, only there to aid in creating of what lies there, eagerly awaiting, beneath the surface of our imagination? Just a glance at his artwork answers the question.
“ Some of us still consider digital and 3d art as something mechanical and artificial, something that in some way is out of human touch. Nothing could be more wrong. Computers don’t make art, people do. Computers are creative tools, much sophisticated ones. Once you try them you will never give up going forward. It’s a fresh creative drug of a new generation of an artistic society. It’s an addiction with no cure. It is a curse you can’t get rid off. It’s your blessing destiny.” (Grie, G.,2003)
References:
Grie, O.,(2004) George Grie Biography. Available at: http://artist-3d.com/02prints3d/a-index01-biography.htm (Accessed: 10 June 2010).
‘Grie, George (Youri Gribanovski)’ (2008) S9.com Biographical Dictionary.Available at: http://www.s9.com/Biography/Grie-George (Accessed: 10 June 2010).
Tatyana_Art (2009) ‘Джорж Грие (George Grie)’ Best-Art, 29 Novembar. Available at: http://best-art.ucoz.net/publ/khudozhniki_kompjuternaja_grafika/dzhorzh_grie/dzhorzh_grie_georg_grie/7-1-0-2 (Accessed: 10 June 2010).
Grie,G. (2008) Angels and Demons or Angel of Mercy. Available at: http://www.neosurrealismart.com/modern-art-prints/?artworks/angels-and-demons-or-angel-of-mercy.html (Accessed: 10 June 2010).
Grie, G. (2003) Art Statement. Available at: http://www.neosurrealismart.com/modern-art-prints/?biography (Accessed: 10 June 2010).
Grie, G. (2003) Art Statement. Available at: http://www.neosurrealismart.com/modern-art-prints/?biography (Accessed: 11 June 2010).
Image list:
Grie, G. (1985-1995) Silence is deceitful [Oil on canvas]. George Grie’s neo-surrealism art gallery [Online].Available at: http://neosurrealism.artdigitaldesign.com/modern-artists/?artworks/fine-art/silence-is-deceitful.html (Accessed: 10 June 2010). Fig. 1
Grie, G. (1985-1995) The birth of Venus No2 [Oil on canvas]. George Grie’s neo-surrealism art gallery [Online]. Available at: http://neosurrealism.artdigitaldesign.com/modern-artists/?artworks/fine-art/the-birth-of-venus-no2.html (Accessed: 10 June 2010). Fig. 2
Grie, G. (1995) Loneliness with the World [Oil on Canvas]. George Grie’s neo-surrealism art gallery [Online]. Available at: http://www.neosurrealismart.com/modern-art-prints/?artworks/loneliness-with-the-world.html (Accessed: 10 June 2010). Fig. 3
Grie, G. (2008) Full moon rising [Online]. Available at: http://thumbs.imagekind.com/member/b3e6ccd8-b562-4104-8b9a- 701bd1615e5e/uploadedartwork/650X650/9d237e50-1d0f-44fe-b171-56d964b94bd8.jpg (Accessed: 10 June 2010). Fig. 4
Grie, G. (2006) Mermaid syndrome [Online]. Available at: http://thumbs.imagekind.com/member/b3e6ccd8-b562-4104-8b9a- 701bd1615e5e/uploadedartwork/650X650/7f7760b1-8572-40b8-b1d4-5b3d37d3a8d0.jpg (Accessed: 10 June 2010). Fig. 5
Grie, G. (2007) Panic Attack or Anxiety PTSD [Online]. Available at: http://www.redbubble.com/people/surrealismart/art/1588822-1-panic-attack-or-anxiety-ptsd# (Accessed: 10 June 2010). Fig. 6
Grie, G. (2007) The Last Harbour or In Search of castaway nautilus [Online].Available at: http://digitalart.org/images/artwork/0054000-54435/miscellaneous/last-harbour-or-in-search-of-castaway-nautilus.jpg (Accessed: 10 June 2010). Fig. 7
Grie, G. (2008) Angels and Demons or Angel of Mercy [Online]. Available at: http://www.neosurrealismart.com/modern-art-prints/?artworks/angels-and-demons-or-angel-of-mercy.html&fullsize (Accessed: 10 June 2010). Fig. 8
Grie, G. (2009) Cathedral of Notre-Dame, Our Lady Reims [Online]. Available at: http://www.neosurrealismart.com/modern-art-prints/?artworks/cathedral-of-notre-dame-our-lady-reims.html&fullsize (Accessed: 10 June 2010). Fig. 9
Grie, G. (2005) Noah's Ark or delusion of grandeur [Online]. Available at: http://www.neosurrealismart.com/modern-art-prints/?artworks/noah-s-ark-or-delusion-of-grandeur.html&fullsize (Accessed: 10 June 2010). Fig. 10
Grie,G. (2005) Kali the Destroyer [Online].Available at: http://www.neosurrealismart.com/modern-art-prints/?artworks/kali-the-destroyer.html (Accessed: 10 June 2010). Fig. 11
Grie, G. (2008) Mindscape or virtual reality dreamscape [Online]. Available at: http://www.neosurrealismart.com/modern-art-prints/?artworks/mindscape-or-virtual-reality-dreamscape.html (Accessed: 10 June 2010). Fig. 12
Grie,G. (2009) Insomnia or Nocturnal Awakening [Online]. Available at: http://www.neosurrealismart.com/modern-art-prints/?artworks/insomnia-or-nocturnal-awakening.html (Accessed: 10 June 2010). Fig. 13
Grie,G. (2006) Arrested Expansion or Cardiac Arrest [Online]. Available at: http://www.neosurrealismart.com/modern-art-prints/?artworks/arrested-expansion-or-cardiac-arrest.html (Accessed: 10 June 2010). Fig. 14
Grie, G. (2004) Confluence or guided meditation [Online].Available at:
http://www.neosurrealismart.com/modern-art-prints/?artworks/confluence-or-guided-meditation.html (Accessed: 10 June 2010). Fig. 15