About
Originally from Connecticut, I earned my BFA from Massachusetts College of Art in Boston, incorporating an exchange to Parsons in New York. I've been working as a professional artist since, starting out as a freelance illustrator for publishing, editorial and design markets- doing everything from computer graphics for the Bank of Boston to exhibition graphics for museum design; op-ed illustration for the Boston Globe; magazine illustration; court-room drawing; designing figurines for Disney ... to being an artist on an archaeological dig in Jordan. All this led to teaching: guest lecturing, college level instruction and workshops.
By 1990, I settled into children’s trade and textbook illustration and also began doing my own writing, focusing on multicultural and creation story themes. My previous books for children are published by Houghton Mifflin Co: Cry of the Benu Bird- An Egyptian Creation Story (1996), The Fifth and Final Sun- An Ancient Aztec Myth of the Sun’s Origin (1994) which received the Scientific American Young Reader’s Book Award and The Boy Who Spoke Colors written by David Gifaldi (1993). I also moved to New Mexico, drawn by its multicultural flavor, the Southwest landscape and its spiritual aspect. It was here that I discovered that my artistic process is my practice.
Having learned the lessons of the jagged mountains, I came back east to the healing green of western North Carolina where I've lived since late 1995. I've exhibited my Waterfall paintings through Asheville’s Blue Spiral 1/New Morning Gallery among others since 2001. I've also done Public Arts Commissions: 2- 300 sq ft murals enhance the children’s section of the Greensboro Public Library: Vision Quest: An Ancient and Modern Interpretation (1998). I’ve regularly shown my original illustrations and continue marketing my books, and for adults- Tara, a multi-faceted collection based on the female aspect of the Buddha and her 21 desirable qualities. This work was born in the desert and finished in a rainforest.
Now, as my long association with the Waterfall is ending, Picnic Tables and Birds are providing a transition to an in depth exploration of the symbolism of the Tree of Life, the mystical system of Judaism: 10 Gateways, 22 paths...
Illustration Tara Waterfalls Birds Picnic - large small
left to right: The Fifth and Final Sun #1 Tara 19-Subduer of Passion Twin Falls (on #8f) Owl #3 Picnic #7
photo by Bill Moore
C. Shana Greger
141 Montview Circle
Brevard NC 28712
Education
1980 BFA Massachusetts College of Art, Boston
1979 Parsons School of Design, New York,
East Coast Consortium of Art Schools Exchange.
Shows/Exhibits/Representation
2025-2014 New Morning Gallery, Asheville, Ongoing Representation.
2019 Heart of Brevard- Arts in March, Downtown Arts Festival, Invitational.
2016 Transylvania Arts Center- A Celebration of Waterfalls, Brevard, NC,
Group, invitational.
2016 Caldwell Arts Council- For the Love of Art, Upstairs Gallery:
Waterfall Paintings, Lenoir, NC, invitational.
2014 Cabarrus Arts Council- The Orient Express, Dutch & Lockavitch
Galleries: Waterfall Paintings, Concord, NC, invitational.
2014 Blue Spiral 1, New to the Third: Tara-- The 21 Praises,
Fine -Art prints & selected originals, Asheville, solo.
Ongoing Representation through sister gallery New Morning.
2011 Transylvania Arts Center:-Outdoor Adventure, Brevard. NC. Group.
2010 Blue Spiral 1, Blue Ridge Parkway: Milestones, Asheville.
2013-2009 Grove Gallery, Greenville, SC, Representation.
2008 Balsam Mountain Preserve, Artist Residency, Waynesville, NC.
2007 Blue Spiral 1, Blue Ridge Parkway: Long Range View-
Parkway Waterfalls, Asheville, solo.
2008-2005 River District Artists, Open Studios, Asheville.
2006 Blue Spiral 1, Horsepasture River Waterfalls, Asheville.
2004 Blue Spiral 1, Scenic Overlook: Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville.
2003 Greenhill Center, Picture Books: NC Illustrators, Greensboro,
invitational.
2002 Blue Spiral 1, Southern Vistas: Interpreting the Landscape,
Asheville.
2002 Blue Spiral 1, New Artists, New Works, New Year, Asheville.
1999 Art Expo, with Creighton-Davis Gallery, New York.
2003-1999 Michael McDunn Gallery, Landscapes and Book Art,
Greenville, solo, Representation
1997 Blue Spiral 1, New to the Third Power, Original Illustrations
from Cry of the Benu Bird (Children's Book), Asheville.
2004-1997 Creighton-Davis Gallery, Washington, DC, Representation
Valley of Fires #2
1997 Singleton Center, Soul Revelations: Selected paintings from
Jeweled Horizons, Rock Landscape & Valley of Fires, Flatrock,
invitational.
1996 Arts Alliance Gallery, Landscapes and Book Art, Asheville, solo.
1995 Running Buffalo Gallery, Bernalillo, NM, invitational.
2013-1995 Carol Golin, Chicago; Sam Pinkus, NY; Paul Cash, NY;
Literary Agent Representation.
1994 Ridgefield Arts Center, Children's Book Art, CT, invitational.
1994 Magnifico, The Art of Albuquerque, juried.
1994-1993 Placitas Artists Series, NM, juried.
1994-1993 Bernalillo Arts Trail, Open Studio Tour, NM.
1995-1993 Michael Hermann, Art Representation, Albuquerque, NM.
1992-1989 Bush Galleries, Original Children's Art, Carmel,CA; Boston,Dover, MA.
2013-1992 Carol Bancroft & Friends, Danbury, CT, Children's Illustration
Representation.
Children's Books
1995 Author and Illustrator of Cry of the Benu Bird:
An Egyptian Creation Story,
published by Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston.
1994 Author and Illustrator of The Fifth and Final Sun:
An Ancient Aztec Myth of the Sun's Origin,
published by Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston.
1993 Illustrator of The Boy Who Spoke Colors,
written by David Gifaldi,
published by Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston.
Other Published Work
1993 Illustration of The Twelve Tribes Calendar, An artistic
interpretation and narrative derived from biblical symbolism
and writings pertaining to the twelve tribes of Israel,
published by The Twelve Tribes Co., Hartford.
1984 Illustration of Good Genes: Emerging Values for Science,
Religion and Society (study/guidebook), published by
Forward Movement Publications, Cincinnatti.
1982 Illustration for New England Begins, (exhibit book),
published by The Museum of Fine Arts Publications, Boston.
2013-1988 Illustration/Design for Book Publishers, including: Macmillan,
Kane, McClanahan, NY; Harcourt Brace, San Diego; Creative
Teaching Press, Hampton Browne, CA; David R. Godine,
Houghton Mifflin Co., Silver Burdett Ginn, MA; Open Court,
Scott Foresman, Chicago: Jaberwocky, IL.
2001-1988 Illustration/Design for Design/Ad Firms, including: Pronto
Design, Function through Form, NY; Alpha Group, Asheville;
New England Typographics, CT; Bear Canyon, A-Hill, Saga,
Albuquerque; Biner Design, Chestnut House, Chicago;
White Mountain Graphics, PA; Maine Maritime Museum;
Boston Museum Design Group, Heritage Museums & State Parks,
Bank of Boston, Schmid, MA (Disney).
1988-1982 Illustration/Design for Editorial Publications, including: The
Boston Globe, Christian Science Monitor, Boston Channel 7,
East West Journal, Cahner's Publications, MA; National
Association for Ambulatory Care, Dallas.
1980 Illustration for Archaeological Expedition to Bab edh Dhra
and Numeira, Southeast Dead Sea Valley, Jordan. Drawings of
Kerak Castle, Dept. of Tourism & Antiquities, Amman, Jordan.
Commissions/Awards/Publications
2015 43rd Annual Biltmore Village Art & Craft Fair, Featured Artist
on Poster.
2012 The Laurel of Asheville, The Arts and Culture of Communities
Across the Mountains, October, Cover Artist.
2008 Asheville Citizen Times, March 2, Featured artist: Arts-Portfolio.
2007 Renaissance Hotel, Asheville, 300 print edition: Rainbow Falls #4.
2007 The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina,
Featured artist: Selected Waterfall paintings highlighted in
Annual Report: Homegrown Philanthropy.
2002 Greensboro Cultural Center, Art Deck-O, Commission to
produce a three paneled mural in the adjacent parking area,
representing the many arts and cultural businesses and
organizations in and around the center: The Procession.
1998 Greensboro Public Library, Public Arts Commission for
two 300 sq.ft. murals for the children's section of the new library:
Vision Quest, An Ancient and Modern Interpretation.
1998 Greensboro News and Record, Aug 14, Feature article:
Artistic Quest.
1997 Asheville Citizen Times, Feb 16, Featured artist: Art Forum.
1996 Transylvania Times, Brevard, NC, Dec 16, Feature article:
Mythological Children's Books.
1996 Asheville Citizen Times, April 2, Featured artist: Art Forum.
1994 Scientific American Young Reader's Book Award for:
The Fifth and Final Sun.
1994 The Placitas Signpost, NM, Feature article: The Arts:
Greger's Art of Creation.
1988 Upper & Lower Case, International Journal of Typographics,
NY, Vol 15, #1: Feature article on initial capital letters:
Once Upon a Poster.
1986 Boston Art Director's Club Award for poster:
Lobstering & the Maine Coast.
Teaching
2002 Greensboro Public Library, NC, Development and presentation of an
Interactive Program for kids of varied ages, based on the Vision Quest
murals; Getting Your Children's Book Published workshop for adults.
2001-1995 Getting Your Children's Book Published,
Transylvania Community Arts Center, Southern Highland Craft Guild,
Swannanoa Valley Fine Arts League, NC.
1989-1988 Southeastern Massachusetts University, Dartmouth, Full-time
Instructor, Development and teaching of Illustration Curriculum for
Sophomores and Juniors; Advisor to Graduate Student.
1989 Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, Guest Lecturer.
1988-1984 Massachusetts College of Art, Boston, Guest Lecturer; Instructor
for Senior Portfolio Class.
1980 Parson's School of Design, NY, Guest Lecturer
detail from The Procession
Excerpts from Book Reviews
Cry of the Benu Bird: An Egyptian Creation Story,
adapted and illustrated by C. Shana Greger,
published 1996, Houghton Mifflin Co.
“...Greger has provided an excellent source note and includes information about pronunciation of names. Her beautifully luminous watercolors make use of aspects of ancient Egyptian temple art without appearing stiff. The vibrant pages depict abstract concepts successfully through stylized design and recurring graphic elements, such as waves of water or light rays. An entertaining addition to the much-loved topic of ancient Egyptian mythology."
-- School Library Journal
“Drawing on a variety of sources, including the basic Egyptian Heliopolitan creation myth, Greger has shaped a cohesive and powerful telling."
-- Booklist
The Fifth and Final Sun: An Ancient Aztec Myth of the Sun’s Origin,
retold and illustrated by C. Shana Greger,
published 1994, Houghton Mifflin Co.
“Greger’s lively, imaginative mixture of pictures and text bring real sparkle to this story, which may be unfamiliar to many young listeners."
-- School Library Journal
“Greger’s retelling of these stories is notable for directness and clarity. Her illustrations--vivid, intricate and haunting resemble the watercolors of William Blake and have something of their otherworldly preoccupation . . . The pictures glow with a mystical light, and do much to bring the text to life. An author’s note explains theorigin of the stories, providing useful content. All in all, an unusual book that should do much to illuminate the legends of an important ancient culture."
-- Kirkus Reviews
The Boy Who Spoke Colors
by David Gifaldi, illustrated by C. Shana Greger,
published 1993, Houghton Mifflin Co.
“Greger’s translucent pastel washes from a springtime palette are evocative of the soap bubble magic and transitory nature of Felix’s colors. A picture book likely to wend its way into the memories of imaginative children.”
-- Booklist
“In Greger’s picture-book debut, light drenched watercolors exhibit a liquid fluidity, allowing color to spill across the page as it forms images."
-- Publishers Weekly
