Beneath the Grave: The Story Behind GraveArt and the Artist Stefan Röhm - Part 1

Stefan Röhm, creator of GraveArt, crafting dark illustrations that blend Gothic, metal, and horror influences into unique artworks.

To truly understand the story of GraveArt, you have to dive deep into the life of its creator, Stefan Röhm. The journey of GraveArt is intricately linked to Stefan’s personal history as a musician and his deep passion for metal, which has been a constant force in his life. "I grew up with metal music and spent about 16 years actively making music. I've been through a lot during that time," Stefan says. This lifelong passion was the catalyst for GraveArt, which began as a simple side project during his formative years.

The Birth of GraveArt: From Music to Art

It all began with Stefan’s first band, Pleyskool, during his training as a media designer. "My boss at the time didn’t really care much for me, so I spent most of my days designing imaginary album covers for my band in Photoshop," Stefan recalls. At concerts, other bands started noticing his designs, and soon he was receiving requests for commissioned artwork. This was the turning point when he decided it was time to create a name for himself.

The origin of the name GraveArt is a happy accident. "I was listening to a song that mentioned a graveyard, but I misheard it as 'graveart,' and I liked how that sounded," Stefan explains. What was initially meant to be a temporary name ended up sticking, especially as people began to recognize him by it. While still living at home, he started taking on graphic design projects, even designing MySpace pages for various bands.

Metal as a Lifelong Constant

After Pleyskool disbanded in 2005/2006, Stefan later formed a new band, May the Silence Fail, where he played bass. Their journey led them to a Stuttgart-based label. With this band, Stefan experienced the thrill of playing at major events like the Winter Freeze Festival and supporting iconic bands like End of Green.

However, after a falling out with his band—largely due to disagreements with the label’s preferences—Stefan’s journey took another turn. He later teamed up with the ex-guitarist from May the Silence Fail to form a new band, HateRemains, which garnered offers from big well-known festivals and even attracted attention from a label based in the swabian alps. Yet, Stefan’s unwavering dedication wasn’t matched by his bandmates, leading him to step away and pursue what had always been his passion: art.

GraveArt Takes Shape

With music still at the heart of his work, Stefan realized there was significant potential in creating art for bands and metal projects. Bands were not only interested in his designs but were also willing to pay for them, which motivated him to turn his passion into a full-fledged career. In 2009, Stefan officially became self-employed, focusing entirely on GraveArt.

"I had planned to go solo after my training anyway, so it was the perfect timing. In the beginning, I charged fees that I could never live on today, but it was never about the money—it was always about the art," he reflects. To support his creative endeavors, Stefan took up a stable job as a media designer at the Horrorklinik online shop. This financial stability allowed him to take on projects that truly excited him, without the pressure of making a profit. "When you create art under pressure just for the money, it often doesn’t turn out well. I’ve always created art for art’s sake."

The Unique Style of GraveArt: A Sinister Aesthetic

So, what defines the GraveArt style? Stefan once coined the term "Modern Death Art" to describe his work, but he admits the label feels outdated now. Despite moving beyond that label, his art remains deeply tied to the metal, gothic, sci-fi, and horror aesthetics. "Metal is inherently dark, and that’s something I’ve always engaged with," he explains. People often ask him, "Why do you always draw skulls?" His answer: "Why not? Death is a part of life; it’s the natural cycle. Inside every one of us is a skeleton. Where others see something grotesque or ugly, I see beauty. Skulls, for instance, have an incredible aesthetic!"

Throughout his life, Stefan encountered the stereotypes associated with being a metalhead, especially during his early years living in a small village. "I had long hair back then, and people would cross the street to avoid me," he recalls. Even though his music tastes have since broadened to include hip-hop and electronic music, the sense of community within the metal scene continues to inspire him.

Role Models and International Success

One of Stefan’s early inspirations was Kat Von D. He once drew her as a zombie bride named "Kat von Z." and sent the artwork to her tattoo shop in Los Angeles. To his surprise, the artwork was displayed there, and years later, when he recreated the piece, it was shared on her Instagram, gaining over 30,000 likes. This exposure brought GraveArt international recognition, opening doors to new opportunities.

One such opportunity was creating artwork for WWE wrestler Seth Rollins, which eventually led to his designs being featured on official merchandise. For Stefan, seeing fans wear his designs at live wrestling events was surreal. "I used to watch wrestling with my mom, so seeing my artwork in TV shows was mind-blowing!" he says. Although the compensation was modest, the recognition was more than enough.

Stefan also worked with metal bands like Any Given Day and his personal favorites, The 69 Eyes, who reached out to him via social media. Additionally, his entry into a competition for an Alien-themed PC game earned his artwork a place in the final product. "I’m a huge Alien fan, and alongside Kat Von D, H.R. Giger is my biggest influence. I love his blend of satanic cult themes and provocative elements," Stefan says, citing Giger’s unapologetically boundary-pushing art as a major influence.

GraveArt Fashion: The Next Chapter

In 2011, Stefan ventured into designing his own T-shirt line. Having already created countless designs for band merchandise, he wanted to explore his own ideas, drawing inspiration from artists like Dan Mumford and Grindesign. His initial designs were a hit on Facebook, leading to a regular release schedule for new designs every quarter. "It was surreal to be recognized on the street or at concerts, and it was even more special when someone from the U.S. would get one of my designs tattooed," Stefan shares.

The Struggles and Joys of Social Media

Social media has been a double-edged sword for GraveArt. While platforms like Facebook initially allowed Stefan to reach a broad audience, changes to algorithms have made it harder for independent artists to gain visibility. "With social media, you can have a website, but without recognition, you have zero visitors. Competing with marketing giants is nearly impossible," he notes. Instagram, in particular, presents challenges where popularity often revolves around aesthetics and sex appeal rather than the depth of the art itself.

Despite these challenges, Stefan remains committed to his craft. "Every artist questions their work at some point," he admits. "It’s frustrating when you spend weeks on a piece only to get 20 likes, while criticism can come harshly and quickly. But I’ve learned to focus on doing my thing and not letting negativity get to me. That’s important in life, especially for an artist prone to overthinking."