BIO

American illustrator, muralist, teacher, published author, and former skateboarder.

​From murals, writings, installations, and art therapy classes to self-published books, Grawe’s diverse and distinct creative voice has garnered local acclaim through commissions and art auctions for charitable causes in Missouri, Kansas, and Colorado.

Work has been recognized nationally and by local businesses and charities: the Vitae Foundation, Hopehouse, and Synergy Services. John Wornall House Museum and CBIZ Financial Services have auctioned her work to benefit the less fortunate.

With personal work informed through the observation of trauma and how it affects the individual, Grawe continues to explore the connection of creativity and healing for the individual to break free of painful repetitive cycles. Integrating neuroplasticity and meditation, allowing creativity to flow and reducing pain through the clients she works with. Through art and faith, the individual reconnects with the Source of all love and power in metaphysical practices and artmaking. Born in San Francisco and spent formative years along the West Coast, skateboarding, art, and dirt bike riding bring back joyful memories. Currently resides in Golden Co. & K.C. Mo.

(b. 1969)

ARTIST STATEMENT

The quest for preserving history for the next generation drives me to bring fascinating characters from the past to life through hand-drawn illustrative portrait creation. Teaching young artists how to draw is a richly rewarding aspect of my life as an artist.

Art is influenced by the Impressionists and daring greats like Caravaggio who mastered the chiaroscuro technique and other artistic rebels such as Cezanne, Van Gogh, Picasso, and Klee, who enlightened me to find my style.

A philosophical approach to artmaking is influenced by great thinkers and writers such as Jesus, Marcus Aurelius, Ayn Rand, Emerson, Socrates, C.S. Lewis, and Aristotle.

I have studied under modern greats such as John English, Sterling Hundley, Jeffrey Alan Love, George Pratt, Edward Kinsella III, and Dale Stephanos, and studied aspects of the genius Bart Forbes.

By embracing the need for holistic, nature-rich, soul-deep healing, the goal is to approach artmaking from a calm and balanced place, and then create art. ​Great work can emerge from emotionally balanced creatives who have properly tended to wounds that previously festered. The pained and tortured creative is a myth I hope to abolish.

​ALTRUISM

Volunteer work at homeless shelters, with children, the elderly, halfway houses, prisons, military suffering from PTSD, jails, and those in recovery. My ultimate goal is for art and altruism to have a healing, symbiotic relationship.

​EDUCATION

2023 Portfolio Illustration Course. Visual Arts Passage

2022 Boulder Digital Arts UI/UX Certification Boulder, Colorado (4.0)

2015 Illustration Academy Kansas City Missouri

2012-2013 Park University-Fine Arts Parkville Missouri Deans List (4.0)

2010-2012 Maplewoods Community College-Associates in Arts Kansas City Missouri, Phi Beta Kappa (3.90)

​AWARDS

2010 1st Place-Portrait Contest (Anthony Bourdain 18"x 24")

2009 Inspiration Award-National Recipient (Food and clothing drive for the homeless)

2002 1st Place-Portrait Contest- (Women of Honor-Janet McDonald triptych)

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EXHIBITIONS

2023 Higher Grounds Golden Colorado, month-long solo show

2018 Cbiz Fine Art Auction Kansas City, Mo Top Yielding work sold 'Rosie the Riveter'

2016 Vitae Foundation Golf tournament & auction sold an original painting of Tiger Woods

2015 First Fridays solo exhibit Kansas City, Mo.