Interview with Victor Grasso Owner, Jawbone Gallery | Artist

The Story Behind Jawbone Gallery

Victor Grasso's relationship with the gallery space goes back years. Before it became Jawbone Gallery (located at 31 Perry St. NO.9, Cape May, NJ), it was known as SOMA Gallery, where he exhibited his own work. "It was really something special back in the day, and we were building it into something amazing."

Like many businesses, the pandemic changed everything. In 2020, Grasso stepped away from the gallery and began exhibiting exclusively in New York and Philadelphia, where galleries represented both his work and artistic vision.

In 2023, the owners of SOMA Gallery approached him about taking over the space.

Initially, he declined. The space was a little too big with two large rooms flanking either side of the hallway. He continued searching for another location on the island while discussing possibilities with investors. Eventually, he returned to the former SOMA space, after it had been renovated and divided into smaller, more manageable areas. "I saw all the renovations and said, 'Leave the lights, and I'll take it.'"

Grasso credits the building owners for making the transition possible. He always maintained a close relationship with them. They are supporters of the arts and everything worked out in the end. 

Jawbone Gallery

With Grasso at the helm, the gallery operates with the clear mission of excellence in craft, as well as a strong tie to history. He wants to reconnect Cape May with its rich artistic heritage. Pointing to the region's connections with artists including Thomas Eakins, Howard Pyle, the Wyeth family, and even Norman Rockwell.

"There's a huge history that's been forgotten, and I wanted to bring that back."

At the same time, he isn't interested in creating a gallery that only looks backward. Many of the artists he invites are contemporary painters from across the country—and increasingly, around the world.

Many of the artists he exhibits are graduates of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) and are now in their 60s and 70s. Some spent their careers as professional artists, while others returned to painting after retirement. Regardless of background, his standards remain the same.

"It has to be excellence in craft, but it also has to be cutting edge. I want to be as tied to history as I am to the contemporary."

Because of his own exhibition history and professional network, Grasso is able to invite artists from across the United States and Europe.

The gallery's opening exhibition in April featured 22 artists from the United States, the Netherlands, Italy, and the United Kingdom.

"There were almost 200 people there, and we sold almost everything."

He believes one of the gallery's greatest strengths is introducing collectors to artists they might never have discovered otherwise.

"It's really up to me to show them."

Jawbone Gallery presents three solo exhibitions each year, along with three or four group exhibitions. The group exhibits allow for powerful pieces that align with strong themes. If you are asked, it is hard to say no when he is asking for one piece.  

Solo exhibitions generally feature regional artists capable of producing enough work to fill the gallery. 

Beauty Meets Danger

Much of Grasso's own artwork explores the tension between beauty and darkness.

"I've always liked the idea that beauty goes with danger."

He often references mythology, particularly the idea of the siren—beautiful yet dangerous.

His paintings are rooted in realism, but each contains something subtly unsettling.

"Everything looks realistic enough to draw you in, but there's always something off."

He recalls one painting from a bird-themed exhibition that featured his daughter wearing a rain slicker while holding an osprey wearing a falconer's glove.

The image captivated viewers precisely because it seemed possible—yet impossible. Why, you might ask? Because you cannot train an osprey as you would a falcon. Birding is a huge and impactful part of our community and the piece was well received!

For Grasso, that ambiguity invites viewers to create their own narratives.

"Everybody sees their own story in it."

He believes that uncertainty is one of art's greatest strengths.

"The legends and the lore are written by the critics, not the artists."

The Creative Process

Painting is rarely straightforward.

"Every painting's a puzzle."

Occasionally he abandons a work—or even destroys it.

"I've taken a knife to paintings before."

But those moments are rare. More often, he works through the challenges until the painting finally comes together.

He often reflects on Leonardo da Vinci's famous observation:

"Art is never finished— only abandoned."

From Muralist to Fine Artist

Grasso attended Ocean City High School in Ocean City, New Jersey, and is largely self-taught.

Immediately after graduation, he joined a mural company in Atlantic City. Working alongside master craftsmen from diverse backgrounds—including Russian painters, Korean artists, and veteran billboard painters from Philadelphia—became his education.

"I was a sponge."

He spent his days painting murals and his nights creating personal work.

"For almost twenty years I painted eight hours a day, then came home and painted until I fell asleep."

Those years easily exceeded Malcolm Gladwell's famous "10,000-hour rule."

"I dedicated my life to it."

Although he originally dreamed of becoming a comic book artist, painting ultimately became his medium.

"Painting picked me."

Working in Oil and Watercolor

Grasso works extensively in both oil and watercolor.

Oil painting initially appealed to him because of its long tradition.  

"It's what the masters used."

Watercolor, however, offers something completely different.

"I like the immediacy. I like the looseness."

His watercolor paintings challenge expectations, relying on dramatic dark values and rich color rather than the soft, pastel look many people associate with the medium.

Advice for Young Artists

When asked what advice he would give aspiring artists, Grasso laughs.

"Do something else."

The joke carries an important truth. He believes today's art world is saturated, especially after social media made being an artist more visible than ever. Success requires complete commitment.

Beyond artistic skill, artists must build relationships, network constantly, and understand the business side of the profession. 

His biggest recommendation?

"Do what you know."

Rather than chasing trends, artists should embrace what genuinely excites them. Artists are inspired by many different people and their own experiences. Take time to figure out who you are and then who you are as an artist. 

"If you love painting tigers, paint tigers."

Lessons Still Being Learned

One lesson took decades to learn.

"Two years ago, after painting professionally for almost twenty years, I finally sat back and told myself, 'This isn't going to be perfect.'"

That realization transformed his relationship with painting. For a perfectionist, it was freeing. 

"The work became more enjoyable."

He now believes perfection is an impossible standard.

"Whatever perfection you're searching for—let it go."

Handling Criticism

As a public artist, criticism is inevitable. Asked how he handles it, Grasso laughs.

"Not well."

Along with a large support system, he credits his wife, Alicia, with helping him keep perspective. She acts as the lion tamer, if you will. She knows him best, knows his work, and his passion. 

"Every emotion goes through her first."

Over time, he's also learned not to give too much weight to criticism online. She helps him realize it is all just “noise in a channel.” 

"Half of it is probably robots anyway."

Instead, he focuses on making the next painting. Keep doing what you are doing in the way in which you want to do it, because you are not going to make everyone happy. 

"Each piece gets to the next piece."

Even unsuccessful paintings are valuable because each one teaches something new.

Finding Home in Cape May

Although Grasso once lived in Somers Point, Cape May gradually became home after his wife, Alicia, decided she wanted to relocate from New York City. She had worked in Cape

May after college for a few summers before moving to New York City. When she would come down to visit, they kept finding themselves here on the island. Alicia found a house to rent in North Cape May before eventually buying their own home.  

The move coincided with an exciting period in Cape May's cultural growth, including his longtime relationship with Jack Wright and Exit Zero magazine.

Designing numerous Exit Zero covers brought his artwork to a broader local audience while social media simultaneously expanded his reach nationally.

"We really became part of the community."

That sense of community convinced them to stay.

Looking Ahead

Despite years of traveling for exhibitions and research, Grasso says his family's next trip

will be different.

Instead of museums, galleries, and packed itineraries, he wants something much simpler.

"We need to go somewhere where there's nothing to do but sit in the sand."

After years of constant movement, he's looking forward to a true vacation.

"You have to let yourself be bored."