Meet Grace Cox | Artist & Art Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Grace Cox and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Grace, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I have always created art. Even in my 1st grade journal I wrote that I wanted to be an artist. During times where I have felt lost, art has always been my preferred form of expression. So naturally, after trying out various jobs, I found my way back to my art and have never looked back. I knew this is something I will always do, so I thought, why not try to make a living out of it?

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I actually received my undergraduate in Fashion Design and Knitwear – not Fine Arts. I thought I was going to be a fashion designer for the rest of my life. Once I was thrown into the New York Fashion industry, I felt duped – it wasn’t as creative and open as I thought it would be. My take on fashion was that it was an art form. Still, I tried to stick with it and find my niche in the industry. While working multiple part-time jobs and internships, I still created art for myself, my family and friends – mainly portraits. After working at a non-profit teaching high school students the basis of art and skateboarding, I found that spark. I decided I needed to dive back into my art, and at the same time learn about education in order to share that knowledge. I went back to school in my hometown of Miami, and received my Masters in Art Education. That is where I found my mentor, Professor David Chang, who taught me all I know about portraiture, oil, art history, and why teaching art is the best job you could ever have. With the knowledge learned from my time in Professor Chang’s courses, I had the skills to pull off what seemed impossible – traditional portraits of non-traditional subjects. My thesis incorporated my New York life – portraits of my crew of women skateboarders – as well as my Miami life including all the classical portraiture techniques I learned along the way.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The first place everyone wants to see when they come to Miami is the beach – I would take them to surf or just to relax on the beach and in our warm ocean. Later, I would take them to Mikes at Venetia for an incredible view of the city, and an inviting and comfortable atmosphere. Everyone also wants to check out Wynwood. I would take them to the Rubell Museum or Superblue (or both if we had time, since they are right across the street from each other!), and take a walk to Panther Coffee for an iced latte afterwards. Besides Miami Beach and Wynwood, I would bring them to Lot 11 to skate, and then to Las Rosas for a show. Cuban food is a must, and Versailles never fails – the Ropa Vieja and Mojitos are a win-win.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
In taking Professor David Chang’s courses at the Academy of Portrait & Figurative Art at FIU, my art has progressed immensely. Besides instructing classical techniques, Professor Chang has been able to create an inviting and close-knit community of Miami artists who are always looking to learn. That is where I have grown the most. Professor Chang and the students I have met in his courses are still sources of great support even now.

Website: www.coxgrace.com

Instagram: @gracecoxtheartist