Biography

Grace Chepenik is a Florida-based contemporary artist working in blown glass and painting, whose work celebrates the energy of nature and the connections between spirit and the natural world. Her dynamic pieces draw on forms found in orchids, shells, foliage, and other organic elements, using color, light, and movement to evoke the living essence of her subjects.

A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Chepenik first pursued painting before discovering glassblowing in 2018, a medium that deeply transformed her artistic voice. Her maternal grandmother, a celebrated watercolor artist, passed down her love for art. Her work reflects both her Florida roots and her experiences in South Florida and abroad, honoring the vitality of natural environments through bold color, fluid form, and expressive surface.

Chepenik holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Sculpture and Painting from the University of Miami and has exhibited her work nationally and internationally. She is represented by Artisa Art Gallery in Aruba, Cawdrey Gallery in Whitefish Montana, Miles Art Gallery in Jupiter, Florida and she serves as Hot Shop Manager at the Benzaiten Center for Creative Arts in Lake Worth Beach, Florida.

 Artist Statement

My work explores the connection between spirit and nature through two main forms: painting and glassblowing.

In my paintings, I use bold brushstrokes, vibrant colors, patterns, and symbolic imagery to express the energy that connects all living things. Animals often appear as symbols of harmony with nature, surrounded by electric colors, glowing halos, and layered patterns that reflect their deeper connection to the universe.

Painting has always been at the core of my practice, but over time, my approach has become more sculptural. Discovering glass completely transformed how I create. It brought a new physical dimension to my work and gave me a powerful sense of raw creation—breathing life into something that didn’t exist before. The light, form, and fragility of glass naturally reflect the metaphysical themes that run through my art.

Each piece I make is a tribute to energy, connection, and the unseen forces that shape our world. My art is grounded in my own life—whether that’s time spent on a beach in Florida or Aruba, or the many experiences that continue to shape how I see and express the world around me.