Carl Grauer grew up in Wilson, Kansas, a town of 800 people. He likes to say he was raised between the “N” and the “S” of Kansas because it was in the absolute middle of the state. After childhood, he completed a degree in human biology and an MFA in medical illustration from the University of Kansas and Michigan, respectively. Eventually finding their way to Brooklyn, New York, he worked in advertising for many years and co-owned a small business offering second-hand goods, antiques, collectibles, and fine art all the while wishing for the courage to make art more seriously. Upon the sudden death of his brother in 2012, they committed a life to an authentic pursuit of making art. Now a practicing artist based in Poughkeepsie, NY in the beautiful Hudson Valley, he primarily works in oil, painting from observation, intuition, and surrealism. Having been originally trained as a medical illustrator, their training was extended continuing education in various representational drawing and painting studios and other practicing artists. He shows work locally, nationally, and internationally, including exhibiting with the Carrie Haddad Gallery in Hudson, NY, and the Royal Society of Portrait Painters in London. With over 10 years of experience with the art of portraiture, He has worked on many portrait commissions. There are many ways in which to engage through a commission with Grauer. Whether it is a traditional commission over several sittings, a posthumous portrait of a passed loved one, he also paints inspired portraits within two hours. In this series, he invites anyone to sit. It is a focus on intuitive strokes laid with purpose and with energy that connects to the spirit of the sitter. It is a healing process because of this element of time and connection to energy.