He was heavily inspired by classic horror films, comics, fine art, and writers such as Edgar Allan Poe, Edward Gorey, and H. P. Lovecraft. Grimly credits Jon J Muth as the sole reason he took up watercolor. "When I was young, I saw a copy of Moonshadow and wanted to do art like that.
Grimly's artistic vision is informed by classic horror films, comics, fine art, and literary works by authors like Edgar Allan Poe, Edward Gorey, and H. P. Lovecraft. He credits Jon J Muth with initiating his watercolor practice. His childhood encounter with Moonshadow instilled a passion for creating artwork in a similar style.