Rising Stars: Meet Grace Bio

Today we’d like to introduce you to Grace Bio.

Hi Grace, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Ever since I was a child, I always had a mysterious force guiding me to something greater than me. It wasn’t until 2007 I discovered what that force was.

I started my Art Career while I was still in High School at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts.

Like any artist, I just “put myself out there.” Fortunately, I got plenty of opportunities, but found myself getting burnt out bringing other people’s visions to life but not having any identity of my own.

Shortly thereafter, I had a sudden urge to learn more about my heritage in the Philippines. I asked elders in my family/community and even sought various resources to find more information about my heritage, disappointingly coming out short. Frustrated, I ranted on social media and was messaged by a complete stranger suggesting I read “Way Of The Ancient Healer” by Virgil Mayor Apostal. I immediately purchased it, read it and the game changed. It’s as if my ancestors took the wheel of my life and kept me on this sacred path.

Ever since then, I’ve always trusted and relied on the Divine (God /Universe, ancestors & spirit guides) to guide my way in everything I do. Not just with my Art, but in my everyday life. I see value in everything because it all, in its own unique way, contributes to my evolution.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Like life itself, it was tumultuous. I struggled with finding my identity, dealing with unresolved trauma, mental health issues, and going through the unsettling journey of trying to make a living as an Artist.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My personal artwork aims to bring awareness to the world of the beauty we have within us while paying tribute to what came before us.

Whether I’m drawing, painting, creating a mural, educating, or even vending my Pop-Up Boutique, HER PATH COLLECTION, I’m always sharing the beauty of life, anything handmade, indigenous crafts, traditions, and cultures hoping it serves as a learning tool for those that witness it.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What I love about Jacksonville is that it is constantly evolving into a more amazing city. I’ve been here since 1991. To witness how far much it has grown is incredible!

However, what I don’t like is that culturally, some things take a long time to come to the forefront. And, when it happens, I feel like the community doesn’t take it as seriously or take advantage of it.

For those that create the art/event to bring awareness of something in particular and the community doesn’t support it, it discourages the creator. When the creator gets discouraged, the art suffers or it gets appreciated elsewhere. The creator either loses motivation to create that art/event, stops completely, changes interests, or moves to another place.

Unfortunately, that has happened multiple times with folks I know who used to live here or is a common frustration with those that still live here.

Moving forward, I hope that our community becomes more open-minded to everything going around us and to be more supportive of those that are doing their best to make our city a better, more interesting place.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/GraceBioArt
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/GraceBioArt/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grace.bio
• Other: https://gracebioart.myportfolio.com/

Image Credits
1. PERSONAL PHOTO: “THE PINAY PROJECT” By: Agnes Lopez
2. “GIVE IT UP FOR ‘P!” (Mural of Paten Locke) / By: Dorian Lopez
3. “RAISED PINAY” (Me in front of Mandala Painting) / By: Gigi Bio
4. “THE ROOTS THAT GROUND US” (Me in front of Filipino-American Mural) / By: C.J. Bautista (A.K.A: UNDERSIEGE 360) 5. “RAISED PINAY” (Me & my sister, Gigi Bio painting) / By: Anthony S. Torres