Meet Rachel Grant | Visual Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rachel Grant and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rachel, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I often refer to it as my art practice, though it’s absolutely a business as well! Creating art has been a lifelong passion, and I’ve been fortunate to have a fulfilling career spanning over a decade as an arts administrator, working in galleries, museums, and consultancies. During those years, I continued developing my art on the side, carving out studio time in the evenings and weekends. In recent years, I dedicated myself to creating art, allowing me to turn my passion into a professional pursuit and focus entirely on my practice. It’s been both a challenging and rewarding journey.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My journey as an artist began with a deep need for self-expression. Growing up in a creative household, I was surrounded by art and inspired to follow in my parents’ footsteps, studying art at Auburn University. This laid the foundation for my career, which I furthered through graduate studies in painting at SCAD, between the Atlanta and Savannah campuses. In Atlanta, I’ve worked in studios at the Goat Farm and Paper Factory, and I’m now happily based in downtown Lawrenceville.

While painting has been my primary focus, I’ve recently started exploring alternate photography processes, sound, and video. Over the last decade, I’ve developed a cloudscape series, inspired by a desire to reconnect with nature in a digital age. Now, as a mother, themes of home and space are also finding their way into my work.

Getting here wasn’t easy. I spent over a decade as an arts administrator in higher education, galleries, and museums, working on my art in the evenings and weekends. Shifting to full-time art required persistence, sacrifices, and trust in my vision. Along the way, I faced challenges, from finding studio space to balancing work and family life, but I stayed focused on my passion, leaning on family and mentors for support.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend were visiting for a week, I’d love to show them all the charm and excitement that Lawrenceville and the surrounding areas have to offer. I’d start by showing them my studio in downtown Lawrenceville, then we’d catch a live show at the Aurora Theatre. We’d grab a bite at Local Republic, one of my favorite spots. We’d also spend a creative afternoon at the Hudgens Center for the Arts. For outdoor fun, we could head to Lake Lanier for a day on the water or visit Jaemor Farms to experience agrotourism and pick up some fresh, local produce. By the end, they’d get a real feel for the vibrant arts and outdoor culture here outside the perimeter!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
So many people deserve credit! My immediate family—my husband, parents, and sisters—have always been incredibly supportive of my creative pursuits and have encouraged me to follow my passion for art as a career. Even my kiddos enjoy spending time at the studio, which brings me so much joy. I’ve also been lucky to have had several inspiring mentors over the years, starting with my middle and high school art teachers and continuing with my art professors at Auburn University and SCAD during my graduate studies. Paula Wallace, the President and founder of SCAD, has been an amazing mentor and example of someone who chases ambitious dreams fearlessly.
Recently, I’ve started sharing a studio with fellow artist Savonna Atkins. We’re both moms of young children and primarily painters, so it’s incredibly rewarding to have a creative space together where we can exchange ideas and experiment with materials. In fact, we are holding a two-person exhibition, which will open on November 15th, 2024, and run through February 7th, 2025 at Gallery 1740 on Peachtree Street in the heart of Atlanta. I feel so grateful to have such a supportive community at every step of my journey!

Website: https://www.rachelgrantstudio.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelgrantstudio/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/racheleevans/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RachelGrantStudio/

Image Credits
Ashley Akins Photography