Artist Statement
Grisell Gajano serendipitously entered the world of art after fleeing an abusive relationship of many years. She turned to art as therapy, but little did she know that her art would lead her to painting professionally. Her murals can be seen throughout her adopted hometown of Hialeah, Wynwood, and Miami. She describes her style as a fusion of street art and “not so fine” art, jokingly dubbing it “Kinder-Urban”, because to her, it looks as if an urban Kindergartener painted it. In truth, it is equal parts whimsical, linear, and spiritual.
After being told for so many years that she was worthless, it was extremely difficult for her to see her positive traits. Art changed all that. She now sees life differently, and has become a risk-taker once again. Art saved her, and taught her an extremely important lesson: to never allow anyone in her life to define her, or place limits on her. In turn, as an award-winning Miami-Dade County Public Schools educator, guidance counselor, and single mother of two children, she constantly models daily this message of “always believe in oneself” to each and every child she works with.
Grisell paints upon inspiration and commission, makes sculptures, and is a published children’s book author (Chaka the Cow, Dog Ear Press, 2010).
Artist CV
2015
- April 24 – 26: Exhibited at Wynwood Life
- May 8 – 29: Exhibited at Art Serve, Inside / Out Art as Healing Therapy
- August 17: Commissioned to paint Best Quality Mattress’ delivery truck
- October 14: Designed poster for People’s Climate Movement Miami
- November 8: Completed mural for Downtown Jewelers Miami
2016
- February 13: Exhibited at Wynwood’s Secret Garden Enchanted Art Walk Experience
- March 5 – 6: Exhibited and painted live at Carnaval on the Mile, Coral Gables
- March 12: Exhibited at Food Spark Miami
- March 17 – 18: Exhibited and painted live at the Chocolate and Art Show, Wynwood Warehouse
- March 26: Exhibited at Casa Bacardi Museum, Coral Gables
- April: Exhibited at Optimus Art Gallery
- April 10: Painted live for Kiwanis of Miami
- April 18: Completed commissioned mural for United Cerebral Palsy Diamond Minds Academy
- April 26: Interviewed and spotlighted in the Miami New Times
- May 20 – 22: Exhibited and painted live at Cuba Nostalgia
- May 26: Exhibited at Kroma Art Gallery, Tempus Fugit Exhibit, Coconut Grove
- June 6: Completed commissioned mural for O’Malley’s Sports Bar and Grill
- July 13 – 17: Exhibited during Funkshion Swim: Fashion Week Miami Beach
- July 29: Exhibited in Little Havana’s Viernes Culturales
- August: Exhibited at Milander Center for Arts & Entertainment, Black White Art Exhibition
- August 26: “I Voted” stickers with my design unveiling by Joy of Voting and Engage Miami
- September 19: Selected as art ambassador for the Fort Lauderdale Home and Design Show
- October 15: Exhibited at the Coral Gables Museum for the Cuban-American Bar Association
- November 19 – 21: Exhibited and painted live as an art ambassador at the Home & Design Show
- December 1 – 4: Art Basel Week, Exhibited at Now or Neverland Urban Uproar, Little Haiti
- December 2: Participated in “The Art is the Fashion” exhibit at the Epic Hotel as well as designed the poster for the event
- December 3: Exhibited at Atrium Gallery in Wynwood
- December 4: Participated in “Umbrellas of Little Havana” Exhibit at Futurama 1637 Art Gallery
- December 10: Participated in the “Fashion and Art” exhibit at Optimus Art Gallery
- December 28: Designed logo for the band “Trouble in the Garden”
2017
- January 24: Interviewed on NBC Channel 6 News
- January 27: Participated in Jose Marti exhibit at Milander Center for Arts and Entertainment
- March 4 – 5: Exhibited and painted live at Carnaval on the Mile, Coral Gables
- March 10: Exhibited at Milander Center for Arts & Entertainment, “Women: It’s All About Us – Portrait of Love and Courage”
- March 26: Exhibited at Optimus Art Gallery
- April 6: Exhibited at Mira Art Show, Loui, Coral Gables
- June 22: Completed 2nd commissioned mural for United Cerebral Palsy Diamond Minds Academy
- July 13: Completed commissioned mural for Spanish Lake Elementary School
- July 21: Exhibited and Painted live at Art on Palm
- August 5: Completed commissioned mural for Miami Dade College North Campus (Lobby of 600 Pre-K Building)
- August 17: Designed book cover for author Monica Mendoza, Libertad: Diario de un Esclavo
- August 25: Exhibited at Milander Center for Arts and Entertainment “Pop Goes the Palette”
- September 23: Exhibited and painted live for Miami Realtor Infusion at Leah Arts District
- October 21 – 22: Exhibited and painted live at Coral Gables Hispanic Cultural Festival
- November 11: Designed the official poster for the show “Hialeah a Comedy Series”
- December 8 – 10: Participated in “Umbrellas of Little Havana” Futurama 1637 Art Gallery
2018
- January: Participated in the Jose Marti exhibit at Milander Center for Arts & Entertainment
- March 10 – 11: Exhibited and painted live at the 20th Annual Art Fest in the Pines
- March 12: Designed the official poster for the Spoken Soul Festival
- April 7 – 8: Exhibited at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts / Spoken Soul Festival
- May 19: Painted live at Cuba Nostalgia
- May 31: Exhibited and painted live at the W Hotel
- July 12: Completed commissioned floor mural for the City of Hialeah, JFK Library
- July 15: Completed commissioned mural for Henry H. Filer Middle School
- December 10: Town of Miami Lakes presented KC of KC & the Sunshine Band one of my paintings
2019
- January 20: Commissioned work completed for Cielito Artisan Pops in Wynwood
- January 25: Exhibited at Milander Center for Arts & Entertainment Jose Marti Exhibit
- February 23: Exhibited and painted live at Art on Palm
- April 26: Exhibited at Milander Center for Arts & Entertainment Eccentricities Exhibit
- October 12: Completed commissioned mural for the Town of Miami Lakes’ Royal Oaks Park
2020
- March: created a commissioned piece for a private collector
- Summer: completed several commissioned pieces for private collectors and the campaign of Annette Collazo for Florida State Representative District 110
- November 14: displayed and live painted at the Arroz Con Mango marketplace event held at Bar Nancy in Little Havana
- December 13: live painting at Unbranded in the Lead Arts District
2021
- April: live painting at Pub 52 in South Miami
- Summer: designed and created a mural for the 305 Vox Populi podcast studio located at the Town Hall in the Town of Miami Lakes
- July: creating two commissioned pieces for a private collector
CONTACT
grisell.gajano@gmail.com
786.353.8608