Photo: Brian Wolf
Urban artistShane Grammeris known for his large-scale murals.
We are proud to feature Shanes breathtaking artwork and call him a My Modern Met friend.
Scroll down to read My Modern Met’s interview.
Photo: Brian Wolf
Where did your love of art come from and how did this transform into creating work on the street?
I have always been creative, even from a young age.
I loved sketching and working with my hands to create three-dimensional art.
When I was just 10 years old, I came across a Walt Disney book that inspired me deeply.
That fascination with storytelling through art became a driving force in my creative journey.
During my high school years, I discovered another passionbasketballat the height of the Michael Jordan era.
At that time, I began experimenting with airbrush techniques and Prismacolor pencils.
This combination gave my work a unique and polished look, blending realism with artistic expression.
After graduating from Chico High School in Northern California, I enrolled at Butte College.
I stumbled uponStyle Wars, a 1982 documentary about the New Yorkgraffitiscene in the late 70s and early 80s.
At the time, skateboarding was about the coolest subculture I knew.
That documentary sparked years of experimentation with spray cans, graffiti, and eventually street art.
Today, I am incredibly grateful for how street art has evolved into a global phenomenon.
What’s your creative process when tackling a mural project?
Seeing their work motivates me to push my designs to new levels of creativity and craftsmanship.
Photo: Sly Espinoza
My process often starts with a technique I call photo bashing.
I collect and layer various elements from online images, or even my own pre-created artwork.
I cut, manipulate, and rearrange these pieces to form a preliminary composition.
Photo: Sly Espinoza
This digital workflow has been invaluable for creating detailed designs and making adjustments on the fly.
Some of these alternate concepts never see the light of day, but they are crucial to my process.
One aspect of my process that excites me is playing with different color palettes.
I then place these concepts into a real-time photo of the site, testing how they feel in context.
Ultimately, my design process is about more than just meeting a clients expectations.
Its about creating something that resonates, inspires, and tells a story.
I often meet individuals who are artists themselves but never pursued it professionally.
Art, for me, isnt just about creating its about connecting and inspiring others.
These projects are profoundly moving.
Watching a family interact with the mural of their loved one is both powerful and heartbreaking.
That mural resonated deeply with the Paradise community, going viral first locally in Northern California and then internationally.
The response was overwhelming, and it pushed me to keep painting throughout the burned ruins of Paradise.
Every mural I painted there carried a story stories of resilience, hope, and healing.
People who had lost everything found comfort and connection through these artworks.
It also inspired me to formalize my passion for creating meaningful projects by founding the Hope Through Art Foundation.
Can you share a bit about that experience?
Its an absolutely incredible experience.
The energy of the city is unmatched, with creativity bursting at every corner.
These events are where the street art community truly comes alive.
Its an opportunity to meet, reconnect, and bond with artists from all over the world.
When I began designing, I knew I wanted to incorporate their knight mascot into something bold and dynamic.
I finished by adding sharp details and clean lines with more spray paint.
Working with Miami Sunset Senior High School was a pleasure.
Even the security staff, janitors, and police officers expressed their enthusiasm for the mural.
You clearly enjoy teaching.
What motivates you to help other mural artists reach their potential?
Back then, I had no idea what my future held or even what was possible as an artist.
I felt completely lost.
Thats why Im so passionate about sharing my experiences and knowledge with students today.
That single interaction was life-changing.
It gave me the direction I needed and launched me into the world of three-dimensional sculpture.
I know it sounds counterintuitive, but its crucial advice.
Creativity will always be a part of you as it grows and evolves for your entire life.
But learning how to turn that creativity into a sustainable career is the real art form.
Thats why I never shy away from giving advice.
How does your faith inform your work?
My faith as a Christian is the foundation of everything I do.
This belief is a constant source of encouragement and motivation in my life and work.
My answer was simple yet meaningful: it was my sneaky way of saying Jesus loves you.
Those portraits represented the Shulammite woman from the book of Song of Solomon in the Bible.
This is something Im working on intentionally, drawing closer to Him as I create.
Those moments confirmed that this is a direction I need to pursue more intentionally.
These works are modern, heavily inspired by street art, and deeply personal.
Whats exciting about this process is how its driving me deeper into the Word of God.
This approach pushes me to think about God in profound ways and helps me grow spiritually as I work.
What do you hope that the public takes away from your art?
I believe every artist aspires to create work that truly connects with people.
Art that resonates, inspires, and evokes an emotional response.
What amazes me most is the variety of ways art can connect with people.
What’s next for you?
Over the past year, Ive seen tremendous growth in my design process.
One of the biggest changes Ive embraced is expanding the range of spray paint brands I use.
One mural project in particular has me buzzing with excitement.
I can already envision its beauty and the impact it will have on the space and the community.
In addition to murals, Im also deeply invested in experimenting with my series of Jesus paintings.
Im curious and excited to see how people respond to these new works on social media and beyond.
Another area Im excited to explore more in 2025 is large-scale art installations and sculptural projects.
Its a process, as these worlds are quite different, but Im thrilled about the possibilities.
Im actively pursuing opportunities in this space and am looking forward to seeing where this path takes me.
Overall, 2025 is shaping up to be a year of growth, experimentation, and creativity.
Im ready for the challenges and opportunities ahead and cant wait to see what unfolds.
