Today we’d like to introduce you to Tera Grasser.
Hi Tera, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I knew I wanted to be an artist by the time I was ten.
The turning point was seeing a teenage friend’s oil painting of a woman dancing—a whirlwind of vibrant reds, oranges, and long, flowing hair. Born with a rare genetic skin condition that meant I had very short hair at the time, I was mesmerized by the ability to “create” that movement and beauty on canvas. After speaking with that artist, who suggested I take classes, a dream was born.
That path led me to Utah Valley State College on a full-tuition scholarship and later to BYU-Idaho for my BFA in Illustration. I signed my first book contract before graduation and moved back to Germany, where I had grown up, to work as a designer and illustrator for Trendhaus Germany. There, I designed toys and stationery for an international market.
In 2012, I moved to New York City for an incredible eight-year chapter. To support my freelance illustration, I spent five years nannying while taking on commissions for magazines like Verily, creating mascots, and designing digital landing pages. During this time, I sharpened my technical skills with continuing education at the School of Visual Arts. This led to a role at MyKlovr, where I developed social media content and style guides, and later a position at Leg Apparel. While I began there in packaging, I eventually transitioned to the product design team, where I used my illustration skills to design patterns for socks sold in major retailers.
My time in New York also introduced me to the power of public art, leading volunteer groups to complete murals in NYC public schools. When the 2020 pandemic necessitated a move, I relocated to Utah to be near family and continued my career with Craft Smith, where my illustrations were featured on sticker pads, sketchbooks, and paper collections. I later worked as an illustrator for Chalk Couture, creating specialized designs for the DIY craft community.
After years of designing for global brands and major retailers, I decided to focus my energy on my own creative practice full-time. Today, my work lives at the intersection of these diverse experiences: the technical precision of global product illustration, the intimate detail of an heirloom family portrait, and the grand, community-focused scale of a public mural. Whether I’m painting a large-scale project for a pharmaceutical office or a custom portrait for a local family, I am dedicated to bringing beauty and movement to every canvas I touch.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
“One of the most significant challenges I’ve faced isn’t related to the art itself, but to the isolation of being a creative entrepreneur. Early on, I struggled with staying focused on my long-term business goals and missed having a community of peers who truly understood the unique hurdles of the illustration industry.
I was reading a business book that suggested joining a ‘Mastermind’ group, and it hit me that I couldn’t wait for an invitation—I had to create the space I needed. I reached out to several former classmates, and while many weren’t able to commit, my friend Jessica W. Clark jumped at the chance.
What started as a small reach-out has grown into a powerful illustration mastermind group that has been going strong for three years. Alongside Jessica and Alissa Empey, we meet weekly to discuss our goals, navigate the industry, and even invite guest speakers to share their expertise.
Building this community has been a turning point for my career. We’ve seen members sign with agents and land major book deals, but more importantly, we’ve created a space where we can celebrate successes, vent frustrations, and keep each other accountable. It turned my biggest struggle—professional isolation—into my greatest source of support and friendship.”
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Talking About the Work: Telling Stories on Every Scale
Whether it’s a large wall or a sheet of watercolor paper, my work is centered on storytelling and the beauty of traditional media.
The Power of Murals
I specialize in creating vibrant, fine-art murals for commercial and residential spaces. Using high-quality acrylics, I transform blank walls into immersive environments. I love the physical presence of a mural, the way it can change the entire energy of a room or a street. While I work on indoor murals year-round, I’ve recently been expanding into outdoor projects, bringing that same fine-art sensibility to public spaces during the summer months.
Stylized Heirloom Portraits
In addition to my large-scale work, I am deeply passionate about my custom watercolor and oil portraits. These are more than just a general likeness; they are “captured essences.” I work closely with my clients to include the small details that tell a family’s unique story, their hobbies, their travels, or the shared moments that define them.
What Sets My Work Apart
In a digital age, I choose to lean into the tactile nature of traditional media: watercolor on paper, oil on canvas, and hand-painted acrylics. There is a “soul” in traditional art that is hard to replicate. My family portraits, in particular, become even more valuable with time. As families grow and change, these pieces serve as a visual anchor to a specific season of life. They are often commissioned as legacy gifts for wedding anniversaries, retirements, or milestones, and I take great pride in knowing they will be cherished for generations.
What’s next?
t is a beautiful thing to have “too many” ideas—it means your creative well is deep. The key for an interview like this is to frame that ambition as a cohesive vision. Instead of a list of separate tasks, you can present it as an expansion of your world.
Here is a way to polish your future plans so they sound both focused and expansive:
Looking Ahead: Expanding the Canvas
My vision for the future is to continue blurring the lines between fine art, storytelling, and everyday life. While my primary focus remains on large-scale murals and intimate family portraits, I am eager to see my work live in new forms.
One project very close to my heart is completing the illustrations for a book written by my mother—a true full-circle moment for my career. Beyond that, I would like to expand my reach into product illustration and publishing, with the goal of bringing my hand-rendered style to books and consumer goods that people can bring into their homes.
I am also feeling a strong pull toward religious artwork and large-scale fine art canvases. Whether I am painting a sacred subject, a family’s history, or a public wall, my goal is the same: to create art that feels timeless and serves as a reminder of the beauty in our shared human experience. I’m looking forward to taking on more commissions here in Utah and globally that allow me to tell these stories on every possible scale.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.teragrasser.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teragrasserart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teragrasserart
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teragrasser/
