Shoebox Alumni Spotlight: Carlos Grasso

When Quality Becomes Your North Star

Carlos Grasso calls himself a "Visual Explorer," and honestly? That might be the perfect description for an artist who's currently working on Mind Tapestries (3D Mandalas), mixed media with natural elements, asemic writing, AND figurative still life paintings—all at the same time.

"Maybe because of that I am always working on a few series at the same time," he says, and I love an artist who owns the fact that creativity doesn't follow neat, sequential patterns.

Carlos was one of my very first Shoebox artists over 11 years ago, back when this whole community was just beginning. Watching his journey from those early days to where he is now—someone who's developed what he calls "quality standards" for his own work and can recognize them in others—feels like watching artistic maturity happen in real time.

Born Into Art, Finding Passion Later

Carlos started with advantages many of us dream of: "I was lucky to be born in an art inclined family, so from a young age I was encouraged to pursue art (drawing/painting and music)."

But here's what I find interesting—he's careful to distinguish between early encouragement and actual passion: "The 'passion' came later with self confidence and work."

That distinction matters. Being around art isn't the same as finding your voice in it. Encouragement isn't passion. Real artistic fire comes from doing the work, building confidence, discovering what you're actually capable of creating.

Carlos Grasso in his Studio

Under a Spell, Completely Surrendered

Carlos describes his creative process in a way that makes me want to be in his studio: "When a project idea 'pops out', I only know it will be a painting or an installation, mixed media, etc.. then I start functioning like under a spell, completely surrendered to the process, trying not to interfere with thinking or deviating too much."

Under a spell! Completely surrendered! This is someone who's learned to trust the process so deeply that thinking becomes interference.

He's also refreshingly honest about routine: "I am not a regular schedule kind of artist, I also don't wait for the 'muse of inspiration' to come and help me out. A little or a lot each day."

No romantic notions about waiting for inspiration. No rigid studio schedules. Just the practical wisdom of showing up consistently, whether it's a little or a lot.

From Leonardo to Basquiat

Carlos's artistic influences read like a journey through art history: starting classical with Leonardo, Van Dyck, Rembrandt, Bach, Mozart, Debussy, then opening to "the more contemporary side of Art: the Modernists, Action Painting, the Basquiat era."

"That openness changed the approach to my work," he says, and you can feel how that evolution from classical foundation to contemporary freedom shaped an artist who can work across multiple series simultaneously without losing focus.

There's something beautiful about an artist who doesn't abandon their classical training but lets it become a launching pad for exploration rather than a limitation.

The Moment Everything Changed

When I ask Carlos about his biggest breakthrough or when he felt like he'd "made it," his answer stops me: "The moment I realize I could recognize quality standards in my own and others' work."

This isn't about external validation or career milestones. It's about developing an internal compass that can distinguish good work from mediocre work—in your own practice and in the broader art world.

"The basic approach of what constitutes, to my eyes, good artwork, didn't change.

Techniques flow, fluctuate, evolve, but the quality standard I set up for my work didn't."

That's artistic maturity right there: techniques can evolve, styles can shift, but your standard for excellence becomes your north star.

Fighting the Inner Critic

Carlos is honest about professional challenges: "Self-Deprecation, Imposter syndrome may be biggest obstacles. And of course, the financial aspect if you don't have a wealthy spouse, family inheritance, etc.."

Imposter syndrome hits different when you've been making art for years and still question whether you belong in the conversation. Carlos's solution is immersion: "I immerse myself in the art world, go to exhibits, fairs… nourishment with the creative aspect of society."

When the inner critic gets loud, he feeds himself with other people's creativity until his own voice gets strong again.

Carlos Grasso - One Morphing Many

The Shoebox Foundation

Thinking back to those early Shoebox days, Carlos remembers seeking "professional artistic help" to "stay connected to the big picture of the Art World plus the necessary marketing advice to continue exposing your work."

Eleven years later, he still values structured feedback: "Very useful to have other artists trained eye giving feedback on your work no matter at what level you think you are."

No matter what level you think you are. Even after developing those quality standards, even after years of exhibitions and recognition, Carlos understands that fresh eyes see things you can't see yourself.

Exploring Yourself Through Your Work

Carlos's advice for emerging artists feels both practical and profound: "Keep the work going, no matter what. Network! Ask for feedback from artists you feel connected to or like their art. Don't give up easily. See and study what's going on these days on your field of art. Explore yourself through your artwork!!!"

That last line—explore yourself through your artwork—might be the most important thing any artist can hear. Your work isn't just what you make; it's how you discover who you are.

Every Day Brings New Creative Challenges

When I ask what's next, Carlos's answer captures something essential about the artistic life: "Many projects in mind, some shows coming up, from the small in the studio to the big installations. Every single day brings new creative challenges to address. Now let's pose for a minute and get back to work!"

Now let's pause for a minute and get back to work. Perfect. Because that's what Visual Explorers do—they pause just long enough to acknowledge where they've been, then dive back into the mystery of what they're making next.

Watching Carlos's journey from those early Shoebox days to now feels like watching someone grow into their own artistic authority. Not the kind that comes from external validation, but the kind that comes from developing your own quality standards and trusting them completely.

That's the real breakthrough—not when the world recognizes your work, but when you can recognize quality in your own work and know it belongs in the conversation.

Follow Carlos's explorations across multiple series and mediums at carlosgrasso.com and on Instagram @carlosgrassoart. His work proves that artistic maturity isn't about picking one thing and sticking with it—it's about developing the quality standards that let you explore freely while maintaining excellence.

Carlos Grasso - Colorspace Installation