About Chris Gralapp

Illustrator & Visual Scientist

As a kid, my artist parents encouraged curiosity and observation of the natural world. I found myself deeply absorbed in its discovery, all of it endlessly engaging.

When it came time to choose a career path, I combined my two favorite pursuits—a love of biology / science with my art / creative energies. Two seemingly disparate directions, yet art and science both strive to explore and explain the world around us. So, I moved nonstop toward a life in medical and scientific illustration.

Education

I attended California College of the Arts, where I graduated with High Distinction in Drawing, and was one of five people accepted into the competitive UCSF Program in Medical and Biological Illustration, where I studied and practiced intensively to hone my skills. A year-long internship in the University of Cincinnati Medical Illustration Department gave me the real-world experience to charge ahead.

Specialized Work

A San Francisco Bay Area resident of beautiful Marin County, CA, I have operated my own successful biomedical illustration business, with emphasis on head and neck topics for academic applications, advertising, medical legal, multimedia and the medical device industry. I have specializations in:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology

• Orthopedics

• Oncology

• Pulmonary/ Lung

• Neurosurgery

• Otolaryngology

• Rhinology

• Facial Plastic Surgery

Professional Memberships

Based in Northern California, I am a Fellow of the Association of Medical Illustrators. I am also a member of the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators, American Rock Art Research Association, and the Bay Area Rock Art Research Association.