We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Glenda Grant. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Glenda below.

Hi Glenda, thanks for joining us today. Do you wish you had started sooner?

If I could go back in time, I sometimes think I would have started my creative career sooner, especially so I could have pursued an art degree and gained more formal, in-depth training. But at the same time, I’ve come to believe that everything unfolded exactly when it was meant to. Life didn’t give me that path early on, and I’ve learned to trust that God’s timing is always perfect.

I truly began learning about art when I moved to the United States during the COVID pandemic. Like many people, I suddenly had a lot of time at home. One day, I noticed my husband’s art tools sitting quietly in the corner of our apartment, covered in dust. Something about that moment stayed with me. I picked them up, wiped them clean, and started searching online for how to paint.

That curiosity led me to Bob Ross. He made painting feel gentle, joyful, and approachable. At first, I followed along using acrylic paints, even though he worked with oils, which made a huge difference and left me feeling frustrated more than once. Still, I didn’t give up. Instead, I enrolled in an online art school focused on acrylics. Through Acrylic University, I learned the fundamentals from the very beginning, and that period of learning was incredibly exciting for me. Before then, I never even knew that I loved painting.

Sometimes I wonder what it would have been like if I had started earlier in life. Honestly, I think the outcome might have been similar, just through a different path. The biggest difference now is that I learned slowly, intentionally, and with deep appreciation, rather than through a traditional art school structure.

Art isn’t something you learn instantly. It requires patience, practice, and discipline. I truly believe that anyone can paint if they are willing to keep showing up and learning along the way.

Looking back, I don’t regret a single decision. I genuinely love how I learned art, and I’m grateful for every step of the journey. Each mistake taught me something, and I continue to learn every day. This path shaped who I am, not just as an artist, but as a person, and for that, I’m thankful.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am originally from Indonesia, and I moved to the United States after getting married. I discovered painting almost by accident, but once I started, I couldn’t stop. What began as curiosity slowly turned into something I truly love. Over time, I realized that art was something I wanted to take seriously and grow into a real part of my life.

I am a self-taught artist who mainly works with acrylics and mixed media. Sometimes I also add oil paint to bring more depth and brightness to my colors. My work includes a wide range of subjects, from wild animals to portraits of women. I’m especially drawn to creating pieces with deeper meaning, including themes of spirituality, healing, and inner peace, which often show up in my abstract work.

What makes my art different is its personal, intuitive quality. I don’t plan every detail before I begin. Instead, I let each piece develop naturally based on my emotions at that moment. Because of this, no two paintings are ever the same.
My goal is to create art that feels positive and meaningful for the people who experience it. I want my work to bring a sense of calm, joy, or connection into someone’s space. Many of my pieces are created with healing in mind, offering quiet encouragement or emotional comfort.

I am most proud of how far I’ve come as a self-taught artist. Learning on my own took patience and commitment, but every painting reflects my growth and journey. What I want people to know about my work is that it comes from a genuine place. My art is about the connection between feeling and color, between the artwork and the viewer, and between people and their own stories.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My main goal as an artist is to spread positivity. The world today feels very heavy at times, filled with anger, division, and noise, especially around politics.

Through my art, I try to shift the focus back to the individual. When someone feels peaceful, inspired, or happy within themselves, that feeling naturally spreads to others around them. Even small moments of positivity matter. If my artwork can bring calm, hope, or comfort to one person, I feel that I’ve done something meaningful.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Like many artists, there are times when I don’t feel motivated to paint. Some days, laziness or self-doubt shows up, and it’s easy to make excuses or avoid going into the studio. What helped me overcome this was finding a supportive artist community. Being surrounded by other painters reminded me of why I started and helped reignite my passion.

Artists lifting each other makes a real difference. That sense of shared encouragement gave me strength, renewed my discipline, and reminded me that we don’t have to walk our creative journeys alone.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.glendagrantart.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glendagrantartist
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/glendagrantart
• Other: https://linktr.ee/glendagrantart