Paul Grass enjoys doing all types of subject matter, but his heart has always been in figurative work. The inspiration of common day scenes are intriguing and captivating to him. He constantly takes his camera with him hoping to sneak candid pictures of everyday life. Especially interesting to him are scenes of people interacting in relaxing atmospheres. Moody environments go well with his pallette where he can bring light out of a dominant darker atmosphere like in restaurants and other interiors.

Paul studied at Utah State University from 1996 to 2004. Other than a mission for the LDS church for two years, he spent that time intensely painting and drawing from the figure. He received a BFA in Graphic Design and Illustration in 2004. While working under Glenn Edwards, Jon Anderson, Adrian Van Suchtelen and Shane Larsen, he learned what it takes to make it in the Fine Arts and countless other valuable lessons. Constantly looking for ways to improve, he was also fortunate to work and study with Utah State artists Michael Malm and Robert Coombs as well as being influenced by Tracy Carrera.

Paul continues to work hard at learning. He has traveled and taken workshops throughout the world. He spent time in Europe on a Semester abroad in 2002, studying art and soaking up paintings in Rome and Florence. Upon graduating he has made several trips out to the Art Students League of Denver to study with renowned artists Quang Ho and Ron Hicks. He has attended workshops with Sherrie McGraw and Burton Silverman this last year as well. He is currently working as a Teacher's Assistant to noted artist Perry Stewart at Utah Valley University.

Upon Graduation he took a job as a Graphic Designer for a year with LogoWorks and later became Art Director at Axispointe while continuing to paint at night. The itch to start a fine art career drove him to establish a freelance design business so he could paint full time, and in January of this year, he has been fortunate to create this opportunity.


Professional Experience:

July 2009 - Art Student's League Summer Art Market
November to December 2008 - Group Show: "Wine Restaurants, and Bars." Gallery McCollum (Laguna Beach, CA)
October to December 2008 - 23rd Annual Religious & Spiritual Art of Utah, Springville Museum of Art (Springville, Utah)
October to November 2008 - The Glen Edwards Alumni Show and USU 100th Anniversary of the Art Department, Apple Frame Gallery (Bountiful, Utah)
May to June 2007 - Two man show, Paul Grass and Blessing Akalanou, Alliance for the Varied Arts (Logan, Utah)
Spring 2007 - Maceys Department Store Art Show (Orem, Utah)
2006 - Brownstone Art Gallery Representation (Provo, Utah)
2006 - Art Director, Axispointe
2004 to 2005 - Graphic Designer, LogoWorks
Spring 2004 - Utah State University Art Guild show (Logan, Utah)
Fall 2004 - Utah State University Undergraduate Show (Logan, Utah)
Spring 2002 - Utah State University Undergraduate Show (Logan, Utah)
Spring 2001 - Utah State University Undergraduate Show (Logan, Utah)
2001 to Present - Livvnart Gallery Representation (Preston, Idaho)


Education:

September 2009 - Weekend With the Masters, Colorado Springs, CO. Workshops with Jeremy Lipking, David Leffel, Quang Ho; Lectures with Richard Schmid, Jacob Collins, Sherry McGraw, Susan Lyon, and Scott Burdick.
January 2009 to Present: Studies with Ron Hicks and Quang Ho, Art Student's League, Denver, CO
2008 - Studies with Patrick Devonas
2007 - Workshops with Sherrie McGraw and Burton Silverman, BYU
2007 - Studies with Perry Stewart, Utah Valley University
Spring 2005 and 2006 - Art Students League of Denver, studies with Quang Ho and Ron Hicks
1996 to 2004 - BFA Graphic Design and Illustration, Utah State University
Summer 2002 - Utah State University Art Department Semester Abroad, Switzerland and Italy


Teaching Experience:

2006 to 2007 - Teacher's Assistant, Utah Valley University