Devon Grimes

This is one of my favorite recent paintings (I feel like I say that about every painting but actually for this one I mean it…). This weekend at the market a client reminded me of something I often put to the side; as I wrapped up the work she bought (a different painting than above) I said to her “I hope this painting turns out to be a great investment for you- it’s what I wish for all of the people that have supported me.” And she said “l hope that beyond any investment, it just continues to bring me a lot of happiness when I look at it.” ——— I just finished up my Monday therapy session where my therapist and I discussed how I put an immense amount of pressure on myself to be “successful” and that by doing so I corner myself into thinking I’m not where I should be in life right now. This is a by-product of dealing with a lot of family trauma at such a young age (that I’m sure many of you can relate to) which resulted in always feeling like I had to be “perfect” “good” “pleasing” - a person who is worthy of someone sticking around. A lifetime of this has created an adult version of myself who I sometimes don’t recognize because I’m always focused on what other people want me to be rather than what makes me happy. ——— At the markets and fairs, people frequently ask me what the meanings behind my works are and I always feel like it’s a disappointment to say they just are what they are- brightly colored observational distractions from the other parts of my life that at times have felt too heavy. Art in many ways has been my longest relationship and coping mechanism so when people tell me viewing my works makes them so happy, im going to start saying creating them makes me happy too. And that is reason enough. ———- Attending a 30th Birthday at the Age of 32 Makes You Feel Bad, 2023, Acrylic and oil stick on canvas, 24 x 36 inches. Available.

Very excited to share that @saatchiart profiled me in their “One to Watch” emerging artists series! You can read my interview on the @saatchiart website, in the link in my stories, or by using the link in my bio. Thank you @saatchiart so so much for featuring me and my work✨ ————- It took me about three months to finally get around to completing this interview mostly because I was overwhelmed by other tasks but also because it required me to submit photos of my work space- which at this time is an extremely small part of my already extremely small apartment. Since going back to painting, my lack of space has been a real point of insecurity for me. I’m starting to accept that everyone moves at their own pace, makes changes at their own pace, and your surroundings are not a reflection of your talent. This is where I’m at in life and I’m excited to see where this opportunity and the @saatchiart community takes me!

Swing by the @knockdowncenter today 3-10pm or this weekend (Saturday and Sunday (11-7/6pm) and say hi- I’ll be over at booth 117! This has been an extremely rewarding and exciting experience for me. I haven’t participated in a show for 10 years and I can’t tell you how much I love seeing my works hanging together and framed. Thank you to all of my friends and family and the NYC community for the outpour of support! 😭❤️🥹 ———— PS for everyone inquiring about the fish piece- if it doesn’t sell at the fair and you are interested, DM me your contact and I will add you to a list to be notified. ———— #artfair #nycartist #theotherartfairnyc #theotherartfair #painter #portraitpainting #stilllifepainting #floralpainting

My most recent commission featuring notes from the couple’s shared love of Italian pasta nights with friends while playing Scopa over good wine. I love it. ————— This piece took me a lot longer to complete than I scheduled for mostly because I’ve felt so utterly burnt out. I’m grateful for the patience my clients extend to me and their super kind and encouraging words upon seeing their piece for the first time (see their email in the last slide). As this client mentioned, paintings (also in my opinion) are investments to be looked at as generational gifts within families. Similar to houses, jewelry, stocks- as a collector you are investing in the art you put in your homes and in the artists who make it. I wish more people approached collecting with this mindset— as I know it can feel out of reach financially for many (me included). However, when you see how frequently people justify fancy purses, second homes, luxury cars, etc I’m also reminded that a lot of the mental hurdle used to justify collecting original art (or not) is tied up in how we view our things and what we prioritize as investments, rather than what is actually out of reach as a buyer. I told my aunt and uncle recently that I often feel like I’m playing a game with art- what will sell, what won’t, when will the right person see my work, when will I get too tired. It’s hard to navigate sometimes but receiving client emails like this one reminds me of why I keep playing. Here’s a reminder to support working artists, support small businesses and to send your creative friends notes of encouragement every once in a while✨

Big fan of shoes over here 👋 most people in my family have one time or another experienced working in a shoe store (me included!) and I think in another life (or maybe later in this one) I would have loved to be a shoe designer. Let me just say, it was one wild summer working for @easyspiritofficial at Fair Oaks Mall- ending with a FBI investigation and an elderly woman throwing a box of shoes at my head. More on that when I have time to write a humorous essay 😅 PS Who ever buys this painting will also be buying Betty’s first painting… swipe to the end to see what I mean. PPS If @ralphlauren would like to buy this painting that would be a very cool full circle moment for this work! Just putting that out there for the Instagram gods to hear 🔮 —————— To Sock or Not to Sock? (Staring at my feet in the air above my bed wearing my @ralphlauren loafers.) (2026) 24 x 36 inches Acrylic on canvas Walnut float frame

Preparing for my feetfinder account so I can retire one day. PS. Do not ask me what happened to my ceiling… it’s a work in progress (I’ve mostly given up if anyone wants to help me install more of those panels) and a constant noise battle with my video-gamer upstairs neighbor. —————- Untitled Work on Paper (Stappy Heels) (2026) 16 x 20 inches, framed to 18 x 24 inches Oil pastel on Coloraid painted paper Sage green metal frame with solid glass front Available and looking for a home✨ #shoeart #marcfisher #shoepainting #oilpastelart #oilpasteldrawing

A Sweet on Your Pillow, A Dream Behind Your Eyes (Andes Chocolate Mint) (2026) 16 x 20 inches Acrylic on canvas Walnut float frame —————- Inspired by @vipetersen beautiful photo seen on the last slide. Big into bows and Andes Mints since 1990 over here 🎀🌿🍫

Lots of interest but no bites! Still working on updating my site with the available works from the fair. In the meantime, DM me to claim or with questions! ————— Untitled original work on paper (Poppies outside of Aviva’s house) Oil pastel on Coloraid painted paper 16x20 framed to 18x24 inches Sage metal frame with glass front

Opening night madness at the @theotherartfair ! I’m very happy with the new pieces I brought to the fair. I feel like they are much more “me” than a lot of works I’ve showed in the past. Shoes, ribbons, candies, soft yet bright colors, intimacy, and expressive wide brushstrokes. As I was looking at the works all hung together I realized that they are very similar to works I showed in my college senior thesis show. For the first time in a long time, I felt happily nostalgic for that period of my life. I felt a sense of sureness that the path I’m on is a long, linear one that is starting to cohesively connect. —————- Come by the fair tonight 5-10 to see the works in person. Link for 20% off tickets in my bio 🎟️ @theotherartfair Agger Fish, Brooklyn Navy Yard April 16-19, 2026 Booth #47

Part of a client mockup for a fun new piece based off of their wedding tablescape! I make mockups using colored pencils to help stop me from having painting-paralysis (ie. when I get so overwhelmed by the thought of starting a work that I then put it off). The finished work will be landscape orientation, with this being a slice of the mid section.

Prints coming soon to a @dailyprov near you! Very excited to see these in person once they are up on the walls 🍩(There’s no cruller emoji so the 🍩 will have to suffice.)

Join me this Saturday, February 21, to celebrate the opening of @thirddoorbrooklyn ‘s group show, ‘You Can Cut All the Flowers, but You Cannot Keep Spring from Coming,’ featuring my work titled, ‘Morning Routines.’ With this work, I invite viewers to see themselves in the mundane objects that reign over our familiarly repetitive routines. Different lives lived, tied together by the commonality and nostalgia of these shapes and objects. ————— This group show features works by: @gabrielleguthrie @sophie.kitching @maryroyallstudio @dipahalderstudio ————— See you all there!