When I was nine years old, I drew the best horse I had ever drawn. This one had bent legs!

l was so proud of it, that I mounted it onto a piece of cardboard, cut rounded edges into the corners, and glued a little self-made stand to the back of it.

My brother's sixth Birthday was around the corner, so I decided to gift it to him. Full of anticipation I finally got to watch him unwrap it. Horror swept over his face and rage filled his entire being! He threw it on the floor and stomped on it!

It wasn’t candy.

Although shocked by his reaction, I came to an important realization: I LOVE art!

My passion for art led me to study art at Utah Valley State College for which I received a full tuition art scholarship and later transferred to Brigham Young University Idaho where I received my Bachelor of Fine Art with an emphasis in Illustration. I had my first book illustration contract before I graduated from college.

After graduation, I had the opportunity to illustrate and design for toys, stationery products, and gift items sold to over 1,000 retail stores in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and France.

In 2012, I moved from a village in Germany where I grew up, to New York City where I continued doing some freelance illustrations and designed packaging for leg wear, cold wear, and accessories sold to retailers, incl. Walmart, Target, Marshalls, etc.

I’ve also illustrated and designed for major retailers such as Michaels, Ross, and Pop Shelf.

I spoke on Capitol Hill as an art award recipient for RARE and am the illustrator of three published children's books

One of my most fulfilling projects was to volunteer as an artist for New York Cares, directing volunteer teams to complete murals I designed, in New York City schools.

Please take a look at my work here and if you would like to collaborate, commission or hire me, please message me at teragrasser@gmail.com.