She started out her career as an illustrator and portrait artist honing her skills for such clients as Sony, The United Nations, Harper Collins, and Penguin USA. Her great desire to capture nature truthfully led her to study with renowned artists Sarah Lamb, Travis Schlaht, Edward Minoff, Jeremy Lipking, Laurel Stern Boeck, Michelle Dunaway, and Stephen Early. Grace has recently been awarded the David Leffel Award of Excellence in Painting, Award of Honor Butler Museum of American Art for Inspiring Figures Show, American Artist Magazine Cover Finalist, and ARC Salon Still Life Finalist 3 years in a row.