Brian Greif

744 Alabama St #220 ( map )

San Francisco

who ♥'s Brian Greif (2)

Bio: My paintings are inspired by the "Inner World Theories" of Gordon Onslow Ford and paintings by John Anderson.

I do not use brushes. I spontaneously pour, drip or spray paint onto a canvas and then find a composition in accidental forms that appear. I use thousands of hand applied dots to "map" the composition. My paintings are very textural. The lines and dots rise above the canvas. I encourage people to touch my paintings to experience the texture.

Gordon Onslow Ford was one of the early surrealists. Initially, he was interested in recording and making sketches of his own dream experiences. Early on, however, it became apparent that it was impossible to paint dreams and that rendering a dream image was merely a copy of a past event. Influenced by Carl Jung's idea of the Collective Unconscious and Ouspenski's theory of the Fourth Dimension. Onslow Fords artistic passion aimed toward expressing what lies beyond the personal in dreams. The result was a spontaneous approach to painting that unveils new worlds and dimensions.

John Anderson first met Gordon Onslow Ford in 1957. After their intial meeting Onslow Ford became a mentor to Anderson sharing with him the philosphy of Surrealism and "spontaneous painting". Anderson embraced these ideas and made them his own.

"When the depths of the mind are stirred,
deeper levels of Self gain a voice"
John Anderson

I have been extremely fortunate to visit Gordon Onslow Fords studio in Inverness, California. It has also been an incredible honor to spend time with John Anderson. Works by these two masters have had a profound influence on my art.


			Brian Greif The Art Explosion Alabama 744 Alabama St #220 ( map ) San Francisco Media: Painting - Acrylic Website: BJGreif.com Brian Greif's favorites (1) who ♥'s Brian Greif (2) 2 Bio: My paintings are inspired by the "Inner World Theories" of Gordon Onslow Ford and paintings by John Anderson. I do not use brushes. I spontaneously pour, drip or spray paint onto a canvas and then find a composition in accidental forms that appear. I use thousands of hand applied dots to "map" the composition. My paintings are very textural. The lines and dots rise above the canvas. I encourage people to touch my paintings to experience the texture. Gordon Onslow Ford was one of the early surrealists. Initially, he was interested in recording and making sketches of his own dream experiences. Early on, however, it became apparent that it was impossible to paint dreams and that rendering a dream image was merely a copy of a past event. Influenced by Carl Jung's idea of the Collective Unconscious and Ouspenski's theory of the Fourth Dimension. Onslow Fords artistic passion aimed toward expressing what lies beyond the personal in dreams. The result was a spontaneous approach to painting that unveils new worlds and dimensions. John Anderson first met Gordon Onslow Ford in 1957. After their intial meeting Onslow Ford became a mentor to Anderson sharing with him the philosphy of Surrealism and "spontaneous painting". Anderson embraced these ideas and made them his own. "When the depths of the mind are stirred, deeper levels of Self gain a voice" John Anderson I have been extremely fortunate to visit Gordon Onslow Fords studio in Inverness, California. It has also been an incredible honor to spend time with John Anderson. Works by these two masters have had a profound influence on my art.