About the Artist
Biography
Grace Mehan DeVito has spent her life immersed in the art of painting. Her representational realist skills are equally adept at portraiture, figurative, and still life genres. The love of light and form imbue her work with beauty and timelessness, elevating even the humblest of subjects, bearing witness to the beauty of the world. Grace focuses her interest on the natural world. It is her desire to explore nature and present it to a viewer causing moments of reflection.
A native of Connecticut, Grace studied at The School of Visual Arts in New York City, majoring in Illustration. After a decade of working for such clients as The United Nations, Sony, and Pepsico, she left the commercial art field to pursue fine art painting. She studied portraiture with Laurel Stern Boeck and honed her painting skills in workshops with many of today’s celebrated artists. Grace has completed portraits for such clients as Villanova University, The City of Cambridge MA, Univ of North Carolina, and The University Hospitals of Case Western Reserve and her paintings are in many private homes. Her Still Lifes and Figures are sought after by discerning collectors.
Grace was included in The Grand Central Atelier’s first Still Life Competition in 2014 and in the Inspiring Figures Show at The Butler Institute Of American Art, Youngstown OH. She is the recipient of many awards including the Portrait Society of America’s First place Still Life and first place Commissioned Portraits Members Only Competition. She received The Award of Excellence for Realism at The Oil Painters of America’s Eastern Regional Exhibition, The 2018 Joseph Hartley Award, The David Leffel Award For Excellence in Painting, Best in Show as well as 3rd Place, and the 6th Annual Plein Air Competition Best Floral in Studio Oct/Nov 2016.
Grace makes her home and studio in Stamford CT.
Education
1987- BFA School of Visual Arts, New York City
2000-2004 - Laurel Stern Boeck
2005 to Present -Workshops with Sarah Lamb, Jeremy Lipking, Michael Klein, Casey Baugh,
Michael Shane Neal, Joshua LaRock, Colleen Barry and Daniel J. Keys
2022- Signature Member of The Portrait Society of America
Selected Exhibitions
2020- “Seven Artists To Watch”, Susan Powell Fine Art Madison CT
2020- “Manic Botanic “- Garvey Simon Gallery NYC curated by Dina Brodsky and hosted by
The Blue Review Project
2020- “Still”- Sugarlift Gallery NYC curated by Sotheby’s Calvine Harvey and Dina Brodsky 2020- Oil Painters Of America 2020 National Juried Exhibition- RS Hanna Gallery,
Fredericksburg TX
2019- Oil Painters Of AmericaEastern Regional Exhibition
2018- Portrait Society of America- Honorable Mention for Still Life, Annual Members
Only Competition
2018- Salmagundi Club 40th Annual Non Members Show- Best Oil Painting in Show,
Joseph Hartley Memorial Award
2018- CatherineLorillardWolfeArtClubAnnualInvitationalArtExhibition,
Nat’l Arts Club, NYC
2016- Portraits Incorporated Gallery New York City, Art of Face, Side Views, & Tonal Grey’s 2016- Portraits Incorporated Gallery New York City, Love Me, Love My Dog
2015- Portraits Incorporated Gallery New York City, Our Great Hope: Contemporary
Children’s Portraits
2015- Eleventh Street Arts, NYC, The Still Life Show
2015- Beverly McNeal Gallery, Birmingham Alabama
2015- Susan Powell Fine Art, Madison CT, Still Life Invitational
2015- Portraits North Annual Portrait Show, Lexington MA
2014- Grand Central Atelier Invitational Still Life Competition
2014- Susan Powell Fine Art, Madison CT, Still Life Invitational
2013- Susan Powell Fine Art, Madison CT, Still Life Invitational
2013- Portraits North Annual Portrait Show
2012- Catherine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club Annual Invitational Art Exhibition,
Nat’l Arts Club, NYC
2012- Allied Artists of America, 99th annual Exhibition, Nat’l Arts Club, NYC 2012- Portraits North Annual Portrait Show, Lexington MA
2011- Susan Powell Fine Art, Madison CT, Two Person Show
2010- Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown Ohio, Inspiring Figures
2010- Portraits North Annual Portrait Show. Lexington MA
2010- Art Renewal Center, ARC Annual Salon, Still Life Finalist
2009- Susan Powell Fine Art, Madison CT, Group Show, Spring Gardens, Still Lifes,
And Landscapes
2009- Art Renewal Center, ARC Annual Salon, Still Life Finalist 2007- Connecticut Society of Portrait Artists Annual Exhibition
Selected Awards
ARC 16th International Salon Finalist in Portraiture and Still Life Categories Awarded Signature Status by the Portrait Society of America 2022
Portrait Society of America Member Only 1st Place Commissioned Portraits 2021 Portrait Society of America Member Only 4th Place Animals As Subject 2020 Portrait Society of America Member Only Non Commissioned Portrait Finalist 2020 Portrait Society of America Members Only First Place for Still Life 2019
Portrait Society of America Finalist for Commissioned Portraits 2019
Oil Painters of America Award of Excellence in Realism 2019
Portrait Society of America Annual Members Only Show 2018-Still Life Finalist
Joseph Hartley Award, Salmagundi Club 2018 Non Members Show
Portrait Society of America Annual Members Only Show 2017- Still Life Finalist
6th Annual Plein Air Competition Best Floral: Studio Oct/Nov
Portrait Society of America Annual Members Only Show 2015- 4th Place Still Life and 5th Place
Out Of The Box
The David Leffel Award For Excellence in Painting, Best In Show 2011 as well as 3rd place. American Artist Magazine Cover Contest Finalist 2011
Portrait Society Of America’s Annual Members Only Competition 2010, 1st place
Commissioned Portrait
Portrait Society of America’s Annual Members Only Competition 2010, 3rd Place
Still Life
Gold Addy award 2001
Silver Medal Society of Illustrators Annual Show 1998
Media
The Oil Painter’s Color Handbook by Todd M. Casey
International Artist Magazine 148 Dec/Jan 2023 The Chairman’s Letter Journal of the Portrait Society of America issue 93
International Artist Magazine 144 April / May 2022
International Artist Magazine 139 June / July 2021
East Oaks Atelier Still Life Online Workshop 2021
East Oaks Atelier Interview 2021
Portrait Society of America Artist Spotlight Jan 2020
International Artist Magazine Oct Nov 2019 Still Life Finalist
American Art Collector April 2016
International Artist Magazine 99 Oct/Nov 2014 - Elevating The Commonplace American Painting Video Magazine, Winter Issue 2011, Interview
American Artist Magazine, June 2011
Communication Arts Magazine, 2001, 1998, 1996
Society Of Illustrators Annual 36, 38, 40, and 44
Selected Collections
New York Yacht Club- Commodore Robert Towse
oil on canvas 24 x 20
Hon. David Maher, Mayor of Cambridge MA
oil on canvas 48 x 30
Hon. Henrietta Davis, Mayor of Cambridge MA oil on canvas 38 x 30
Dean John Yukio Gotanda- Dean, Villanova University, School of Law, Villanova PA oil on canvas 40 x 36
Dean Blanton Godfrey- Dean, College of Textiles, North Carolina State University. Raleigh NC oil on canvas 30 x 24
Dr. Susan Engelkemeyer, Pres. Nichols College, Dudley MA oil on canvas 28 x 23
Dr. William McKinney, Pres., Valdosta State University oil on canvas 44 x 36
Mr. Steven Berk- Einstein Medical Center Philadelphia PA oil on canvas 48 x 38
Mr. Carl Tiedemann- TIG Advisors New York NY posthumous portrait oil on canvas 28 x 24
Dr. Cathy Barlow-University of North Carolina Wilmington, Business School oil on canvas 28 x 24
Dr. Joan Holden - Head of School, St. Stephen and St. Agnes School, Alexandria VA oil on canvas 40 x 30
Mr. Michael J. Chiaramonte, Chief Executive Officer, MedStar Southern Maryland oil on canvas 50 x 38
Judge Howard Owens, Fairfield District Superior Court, Bridgeport CT oil on canvas 38 x 30
Judge Kevin Tierney, Stamford Norwalk District Superior Court, Stamford CT oil on canvas 40 x 30
Dr. Joan Lonergan- Head of School, The Hewitt School, New York NY, oil on canvas 38 x 32
Mr. Edmund Grant Sr. - Pres. Glen Raven Inc., Glen Raven NC oil on canvas 44 x 36
Dr. Tim Bazemore, Head of School, New Canaan Country School, New Canaan CT oil on canvas 32 x 26
Mr. Keith and Wendy Wellin- The Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston SC oil on canvas 52 x 46
Dr. Oscar Ratnoff- Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland OH oil on canvas 38 x 32
Dr. Steven Landau- Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland OH oil on canvas 38 x 32
Foundation For The Carolinas, Charlotte NC The United Nations
Sony
Pepsico
The Reynolds Corporation
The New England Coffee Company
Gallery Representation
Portraits Incorporated, Birmingham AL Susan Powell Fine Art, Madison CT Anderson Fine Art, St. Simon’s Island GA Beverly McNeil Gallery, Birmingham AL
Testimonials-
Vic Wortman Jr Pres. VRH Construction.- “You did a wonderful job and I am sure my Father and Uncle will be very pleased. Thank you so much”.
John Y. Gotanda, Dean, Villanova Law School - “ Looks wonderful, you’ve really captured me”.
Dr. James Rowbottom, Dept of Anesthesiology, UHHospitals - “We are so happy with your portrait, It’s beautiful”.
Laurie Jelenek, TIG Funds - “Mr Tiedemanns’ portrait is lovely, it has his spirit”.
Commodore Towse, NYYC - “ Joan and I are so happy with the portrait. You made the whole experience easy and enjoyable”.
Dr. William McKinney, Pres. Valdosta State Univ.- “What a terrific job Grace, I am so pleased with the results”.
Hon. David Maher, Mayor of Cambridge MA. - “Your skills are incredible! I can’t thank you enough”.
Angie Goff, NBC Washington - “You did a beautiful job capturing the essence of our children”.
Dr. Cliff Megerian, UH Hospitals of Case Western Reserve - ‘Thank You so much!! Really appreciate your time and incredible talent that went into the portrait. Had a wonderful evening Friday at which it was presented to the department”.
"It was a pleasure to work with you. You were so accommodating and easy to work with. I love my portrait."
- The Hon. Henrietta Davis
"It is a masterpiece in all aspects: color, details and composition. You made me so proud to be part of the MUS legacy, and I want to thank you so much for this beautiful art work."
- Dr. Reginald Dalle, Memphis University School honoree
Patsy Gotfredson - “Oh my, Grace. It looks just like him and your brush stroke is beautiful.
I am thrilled and cannot wait to see it in real life, my entire family is going to be so surprised and happy to have this treasure.
Especially since Harry is 12 years old and you just never know what might happen with our precious family pets. He is truly irreplaceable and this portrait represents him beautifully. It takes my breath away.
Thank you so much Grace”.
Caroline Good - “Just looking at the portrait now. It is phenomenal!!!!! You absolutely captured her. I’m just blow away! It’s such a sweet portrait and somehow manages to reflect her personality as well as her likeness. Thank you so much! I’m eternally grateful. This will be much treasured!”.
Leslie Corts - “You captured him so well. I absolutely love it. It’s him”.
"It's perfect. You are very gifted."
- John D.
"My husband was blown away by your portrait."
- Lynn S.
"The portrait arrived this morning, and it is gorgeous!"
- Perry Dement, Memphis University School
