We were lucky to catch up with Glenda Grant recently and have shared our conversation below.

Glenda, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I am a self-taught artist who did not come from an art background. I learned to create art from lots of resources — such as the internet (mostly YouTube), art books (from the library), and from other artists in the art community. To speed up my art learning, I took some online classes (paid and free ones) and learned lots of art theories.

The important skills required to produce art include color theory and design composition. Paintings should have good composition and correct color values. The best thing you can do to master these skills is to keep practicing every day. I learned to mix colors through my research, and by practicing and exploring.

Glenda, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I was born and raised in Jakarta, Indonesia. I took my bachelor’s degree in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. However, after graduation, I went back to Jakarta and pursued a career in advertising. My background is advertising and marketing, and I worked at advertising agencies. I have never painted before, but art has been part of my life. When working in advertising agencies, you keep in contact with the creative team, which gives you a sense of the visual arts and the creative process.

When I got married, I moved to the States and left behind all my advertising experiences. I was introduced to art by accident. My husband used to take some art courses, and he had some art materials lying around our apartment. So, I thought, why not try something new? Thanks to technology, I could browse on the internet and found lots of resources about painting with acrylic paints. I never knew that I could draw/paint/create art. I created some paintings and posted them online. The feedback from my family and friends has been very positive. This gives me a boost up of energy to learn and paint more.

I started exploring everything from acrylic paints to mixed media because I love trying something new, and it is more interesting when you combine everything! I use canvas, canvas panels, watercolor papers, and wood (recently) for my art mediums.

My paintings are very variable, and they include portraits, animals, abstracts, and landscapes. I believe that artists should not limit what they want to paint. My work’s vision is embracing life with passion and be grateful for everything that you have in life no matter what your current situation. When you are happy, you always see life as joyful. When you are sad, what you see is displeasing. I feel joy and gratitude when I paint, I am enjoying each moment in my life with scrapes of paint on my canvas/paper/and other mediums.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

One of the most rewarding aspects of being an artist is that my visions and emotions become sharper, and I can see and appreciate our beautiful world. I started noticing more of what was going on around me. For example, when I walk around my neighborhood, I see a blue sky with beautiful clouds that makes me think about the colors, the shapes, the dimensions, and the art theories that I’ve studied. When I look at my friends, I can see that their eyes, nose, and lips are always different in each situation. I strive to create these variations in my art.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

I like the book by Flora Bowley (“Brave Intuitive Painting”). She teaches you about painting with your intuition, and following the flow. I believe that when you paint with your heart, and do not think too much, you can create more beautiful, soulful paintings. I also recommend “Show Your Work!” by Austin Kleon. Besides art books, I read books that support my art habits. One of the interesting books is “Atomic Habits” by James Clear. He talks about how your habits shape your identity, and how your identity shapes your habits. These books help me to do my art and shape my way of thinking as well.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.glendagrantart.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glendagrantartist/