‘Artist Spotlight’ Of The Week: Victor Grasso
Howdy Nation! Buckle up for today’s adventure as we shine the ‘Artist Spotlight’ on Victor Grasso, an artist who explores the relationship between humans and octopuses. Join us as we celebrate his captivating & playful series—a journey we never want to end!
Who is Victor Grasso?
I am an internationally represented artist showing with galleries in New York, Philadelphia, and Copenhagen. I live and work in Cape May, New Jersey. My work is collected internationally and has been featured in numerous publications and on major television networks.
Tell us a little bit about the art piece(s) we are showcasing in the interview
“The Naturalist IV” is the fourth painting in a series that explores the relationship between human and octopus. It’s a continuation of my fascination with these creatures, blending them into scenes that evoke a sense of wonder and exploration.
What draws you in or fascinates you the most about octopuses?
Everything. Their fantastic colors, their personalities, their intelligence, and their ability to adapt and camouflage. They are endlessly fascinating creatures that inspire much of my work.
How did you first become interested in creating art featuring octopus?
Octopuses have been a staple in my work from the very beginning. I’ve always been drawn to the sea and its inhabitants. The octopus, with its mysterious nature and unique physical attributes, captivated my imagination early on.
How long your work takes you to complete… Can you discuss any interesting or unique techniques you use?
The time is in the conception. The build up to the actual painting can take months of thinking and planning. Once I start painting, the process is relatively quick. I use a combination of watercolor paint and pencils on paper, which allows for detailed textures and vibrant colors.
What materials do you use for your work?
Watercolor paint, pencils, and paper.
Was this modeled after a specific octopus species?
Each Naturalist painting is modeled loosely on actual species, but I take artistic liberties to enhance certain features or colors. It’s more about capturing the essence and wonder of the octopus rather than strict biological accuracy. Take for example this blue ringed octopus.
Thank You For Joining Us For Artist Spotlight!
First, we want to give a big thank you to Victor Grasso for allowing us to showcase his latest piece “The Naturalist IV” on OctoNation. To continue supporting Victor and his stunning watercolor artwork, make sure to follow him on Instagram @VictorGrasso and on Facebook @GrassoVictor. If you have any interest in supporting their work visit his shop at victorgrasso.com/shop
If you want to educate yourself some more about all sorts of different cephalopods, take a look at our encyclopedia. Or, what we call it, our Octopedia!
Connect with other octopus lovers via the OctoNation Facebook group, OctopusFanClub.com! Make sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram to keep up to date with the conservation, education, and ongoing research of cephalopods.
More Posts To Read:
- “That Octopus Book” Remarkably Bright Creatures is Becoming a Movie!
- Bringing Octopus Education to STEMfest at Mayborn Museum!
- Book Giveaway: “Secrets of the Octopus” & Bonus interview!
- ‘Artist Spotlight’ Of The Week: Victor Grasso
- Meet the Cockeyed Squid: the Deep-Sea Animal with a Giant Eye!
Warren is the Founder of OctoNation, a nonprofit organization that works to inspire the wonder of the ocean by educating the world about octopuses. As a professional community building strategist, Warren has collaborated with hundreds of underwater photographers, artists, scientists, and aquarists to create educational resources for both children and adults.
Jacque Cousteau said it best, “People protect what they love.” OctoNation’s community of over 1 million members wholeheartedly agree! Wanna get involved? Email [email protected]
