Process

A glimpse into the creative process... enjoy!

About Essence...

  • The constant in an individual
  • The ultimate core reality of our soul

My creative path is varied, it wanders, some days strong, sharp and clear, and at other times it is very soft and ethereal. The paintings “Bloom” and “Counterpoint” probably best reflect my “essence”, what I hope to communicate through my paintings. “Bloom” and “Counterpoint” are acrylic paintings on stretched canvas and are created by layering thin washes of acrylic, either by pouring or painting using a very large brush. The process calls for patience, as each layer must dry fully before another layer may be poured or before another stroke of the brush can be made.

Bloom – 36 x 48
Counterpoint – 48 x 48

Make It Real

Have you ever had an idea in your mind for days, weeks, years?
An idea that keeps visiting and makes you ask …..What if? How could that work? Could I do this?
Well……go for it and make it real! Yes, you can bring the idea to life. …..why not?

I have the vision of an installation which combines 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional elements, exploring the juxtaposition of abstract paintings and favorite natural elements. As shown in the photos, I took the meaning of “thumbnail sketch” to a new level by executing a life size rough draft of this concept. I still have the challenge in mind of finding just the right gallery space to bring the final installation to life. Let’s follow our dreams and make them real……why not?

B 1- Installation 1
B 2- Installation 2

From Paper to Paint

My bold abstract work begins with hand-painted papers and Exacto blades. Large sheets of paper are hand-painted with acrylic paint and the Exacto knife is used as the drawing/cutting tool. The Exacto provides awesome, crisp, sweeping lines. There’s not a plan in mind for subject, composition, or image, when starting.

It’s all about freely flowing with the Exacto strokes.

Once the papers are cut, the shapes are spread over the studio floor and then arranged until an image presents itself. It’s a trial and error process and it challenges me to strive for the power found in elegance and simplicity.

I have recently taken this process one step further by translating the paper final compositions to paintings. I use either acrylics or oils on either hardboard or stretched canvas. The photos represent two paintings completed on hardboard.

Collection II features more work using this process.

C - 2 Color Block
C 1- Petal

Oil Painting

I grew up on the east coast and several times a year I head back to gather creative inspiration and visit with my family. Many of my paintings are inspired by photos I’ve taken off of three southern Connecticut beaches — Russian Beach, Short Beach and Long Beach. This painting is inspired by a hot August afternoon on Short Beach. The afternoon clouds over the water were so amazing I just had to capture them in a painting! I usually start with a loose charcoal sketch and then begin the oil painting. “August Afternoon” is painted on masonite that has a gesso coating.

Black and white sketch depicting dramatic clouds over a calm sea with a distant shoreline.
A painting of a beach with a vast, dramatic sky filled with towering clouds. The horizon features deep blue and turquoise hues with slight hints of sunlight reflecting off the clouds.
A painting of clouds over the ocean on an easel, with an artist's table beside it holding paints, brushes, a lamp, and other art supplies, set against a backdrop of sheer white curtains.

For a commission piece I traveled to the Flint Hills in eastern Kansas. On a sweltering summer afternoon my husband and I walked the area so I could take reference photos to work from. Thank you for your support hubby!

After returning home I created a loose charcoal sketch and a small color rough to discuss with the client. Upon approval, I jumped into the final painting. I find it interesting that the inspiration the Flint Hills gives me is similar to what I feel when I am on the east coast looking out across Long Island Sound. Both can be so peaceful and serene.

A charcoal drawing depicts a sunset over a body of water, with a dark, cloudy sky and faint landscape features in the foreground.
studio-beth-a-grillo-2B-Process
A serene landscape painting showcasing rolling hills with a gradient sky transitioning from light blue to warm pink hues at sunset.

Inspiration Gathering

While out on my walks or runs I bring along my iPhone to capture quick inspirational photos. Nature is the inspiration for most of my paintings. I usually develop a quick reference board posting my inspirational photos, color swatches, papers, magazine clips, etc., all gathered to serve as a loose roadmap to where I am going and what I am hoping to capture in the painting. I enjoy having a variety of mediums to work with since sometimes the inspiration just calls for a particular technique to best capture my vision. In this case I created two paintings, titled “Rose Breeze” one in watercolor and one in pastel.

Pale pink roses in full bloom, surrounded by green foliage, with some buds and wilting petals visible.
Abstract watercolor painting featuring a blend of greens, blues, and pinks, creating a floral-like scene with soft, flowing brushstrokes.
A wall covered with various colors and textures of art materials, including fabric, paint samples, and magazine cutouts, arranged in a collage-like manner.
A colorful abstract painting consisting of intersecting lines and swirls in shades of pink, blue, green, and yellow.

Breaking Out

For the large scale paintings where I’m really trying to break out and challenge myself to explore and let go, I head outside. The space provides freedom of movement and gives me the confidence to pour, splash, push and pull paint in new ways. Here it’s about exploring the unknown and being open to creative surprises.

A large white tarp is spread out on a green lawn, held down by bricks at the corners. Two buckets, one red and one blue, are placed on the grass near the tarp. Trees and a wooden fence are in the background.
A person is walking across a grassy yard, carrying a large rolled-up piece of material on their shoulder. The yard is surrounded by trees and a wooden fence.
Abstract painting with a mix of pink, yellow, and orange in the background, overlaid with white textured lines and splashes resembling a cracked surface.
A table on grass holds several cans of paint, brushes, and tools. A large canvas with a multicolored design lies on the ground in the background. Two broom handles lean against the table.
A person wearing paint-stained shoes stands on grass near a large broom placed on a blue and purple painted surface.

Paper/Collage

In 2019 there was an open call for an exhibit sponsored by the National Museum of Women In the Arts, Washington DC. I’ve been a member of NMWA for years and thought it would be interesting to submit a few pieces. The exhibit was themed around the medium of paper. Eeek! . . . I’m a painter, I hadn’t worked in paper at all.

After thinking more about the theme of Paper and the awesome opportunity to exhibit in the beautiful museum, I decided to take on the challenge. In the end, the pieces I entered were not selected but the experience did take me down a really interesting creative path. I’ve moved from traditional realism into the abstract world.

My paper work started off gentle in tone and has grown to be impactful featuring bold colors and simplified shapes.

Lesson learned — go for it! You will always learn something and you may be very surprised and happy with an entirely new creative dimension that’s within you . . . one that you hadn’t even suspected!

A person works on a craft project in a studio with colorful abstract art pieces displayed on the wall.
Black abstract shapes laid on a white tiled floor arranged in an unconventional pattern, part of a modern art installation or project.
A workspace with a paintbrush resting on a can of black paint. Various black and white abstract paper cutouts and artwork pieces are spread on the table and floor.

As I shared earlier, the NMWA call for the Paper themed exhibit took me down a really unexpected creative path. I now have a small collection of about a dozen Paper pieces that are in the process of being framed.

I explored my local framing options by giving a few pieces to three different framing businesses. It has turned out that the most expensive framing business came in last place in my little framing evaluation exercise.

Framing is such an expensive part of the creative process so it’s important to find someone that delivers high quality results for a fair price. Through the exercise of giving my work to three different businesses, I’ve found my top choice, the framer that I will tum to over and over.

Three framed abstract art pieces are leaning against a wall on a wooden floor. A dog is lying down in front of the artwork.
Framed abstract artwork with blue and gray shapes hanging above a dark wooden surface, which holds a vase of pink flowers and a small decorative item.
Scroll to Top