Rising Stars: Meet Kobe Grossman of Atlanta, Georgia

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kobe Grossman.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My name is Kobe, and I’m an illustrator studying at the Savannah College of Art and Design, majoring in Illustration. I was born and raised in the Philippines, and eventually moved to Atlanta, Georgia where the city’s energy, diversity, and creative pulse continue to shape the way I work.

I’ve always been an art kid. Drawing was the thing that grounded me, even before I understood what a career in art could look like. Over time, I found my visual voice by pulling from the alternative culture I grew up around, as well as the science books that first sparked my curiosity. Those influences still show up in my work today through dreamlike compositions and imagery that feels strange yet unexpectedly harmonious. Outside of illustration, I’m constantly gathering inspiration from the things I love, books, movies, music, and fashion. I collect vinyl and CDs in my free time, building a library of sounds that often guide the mood and rhythm of my pieces.

My path hasn’t been linear, but every step has helped me grow into the artist I am now. What makes my illustration unique is its ability to feel both ethereal and grounded, blending imagination with a sense of quiet realism. That balance is something I’ve been chasing since the beginning, and it’s what continues to push my work forward.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Physically, yes but mentally, it was a challenge. Growing up, I was pretty awkward, and for a long time I was the only “art kid” in school. Art became my escape whenever things felt overwhelming. I eventually became known for it, almost like it was my whole identity, until new students came along who were better than me. At the time, that hit me hard. It took me a couple of years to understand that there will always be people better than me, and that this isn’t a threat. If anything, it pushes me to learn more and grow.

That mindset shift helped, but the journey still hasn’t been easy. Even now, trying to make illustration work full‑time can feel rough and uncertain. There are moments where the pressure gets heavy, and I question whether I’m doing enough or moving fast enough. But despite all of that, I’m genuinely grateful. Every challenge has shaped me into someone more resilient, more curious, and more committed to my craft.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in book illustration and am currently transitioning into scientific illustration, where I can merge two things I love: science and fantasy. A lot of my work lives in that intersection, imagery that feels imaginative and surreal, but still grounded in real anatomy, natural forms, and research. That blend is becoming a core part of my artistic identity.

I’m known for my graphite work and my attention to detail. I love the control and subtlety that graphite gives me, and I use it to build textures, depth, and quiet emotion in my pieces. Over time, that focus on detail has become something people recognize in my illustrations.

Some of the work I’m most proud of includes a large self‑portrait where I’m surrounded by fire, and another piece set underwater featuring a woman with corals growing across her face. Both pieces represent the direction my work is moving toward, narrative, atmospheric, and rooted in both the natural world and the surreal.

What sets me apart is my ability to combine scientific influence with dreamlike storytelling. My illustrations often feel ethereal yet grounded, imaginative yet informed. That balance is what I’m always chasing, and it’s what makes my work feel uniquely mine.

What makes you happy?
A lot of things make me happy, but the first one is simple, having time to breathe while I work. When a deadline is far away, I feel like I can actually enjoy the process instead of rushing through it, and that freedom makes creating so much more satisfying.

I’m also happiest when I’m surrounded by the things that inspire me, science, fantasy, and anything with gothic influences. I mean I grew up loving Twilight, Guillermo Del Toro, and Dracula after all haha. I’ve always leaned toward the alternative side of things and exploring that visually or through the media I consume brings me a lot of joy. Music is a huge part of that too, it sets the tone for my day and often shapes the mood of my illustrations.

And then there are the small comforts: sweets, matcha, little indulgences that make life feel softer. Those tiny moments of pleasure balance out the intensity of being an artist and keep me grounded.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kobefgrossman.wixsite.com/kaygrosssillu
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaygrosssillustrations
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kobe-grossman-b1b5532b5