SUMMER 2023
recent work
In early June, Grace was asked by The Bbrave Foundation - based in Cleveland Ohio - to create several oil paintings in representation of Bbrave’s theme for 2023: Building Bridges
The commission brief was to represent 3 iconic cleveland bridges
These paintings highlight both the important work that Bbrave does each year and the beautiful, industrial city where it began - and where Grace grew up & resides today!
No. 1 UNDER THE BRIDGE
Grace painted UNDER THE BRIDGE - the first in this Bridge Series - in 2 three-hour plein air sessions and 1 studio session. Grace set up her easel at the edge of the Cuyahoga River where the Cleveland Metropark Water Taxi ferries passengers back and forth from the East and West banks of the Flats. Cleveland’s bright blue Shoreway Bridge looks so good in oil paint and the UNDER THE BRIDGE painting went for highest bid in July’s silent auction
Learn more about the amazing work the Bbrave organization can do here!
The plein air sessions were photographed by the talented Oona - in collaboration with Dragonfly Photography.
Each painting was sold in a silent auction on July 29th 2023 in honor of Bbrave’s Annual Fundraiser held at Collision Bend Brewing Company - which is located in Cleveland’s Flats - just three doors down from the spot Grace painted her plein air sessions for No. 1 in the series.
Grace Schlea at the Annual Fundraising event for the Bbrave Foundation at Collision Bend Brewing Company - Paintings
The Bbrave Foundation commissioned Grace for 1 painting and Grace donated 2 additional paintings in matching size and value to create a full series.
No. 1 UNDER THE BRIDGE
No. 2 INTERSECTING BRIDGES
No. 3 BEYOND THE BRIDGE
no. 2 INTERSECTING BRIDGES
Painted in the studio - 16x20” oil on panel
no. 3 BEYOND THE BRIDGE
FALL 2023
recent work
Between the full days of client work - my busiest live-painting season to date - I’ve been performing exercises in alla prima. Creating a “quick painting practice” via smaller studies (some studies focusing on limited palette and others focusing on composition).
The below study - titled LUCKY NUMBER 7 - was a practice in composition and brush strokes. A small 4x6” oil on aluminum panel. A white racehorse & jockey running on the track - against a green background.
