Jenny Grant

Please tell us about your work.

I am a full-time artist, exhibiting my art and running in-person and online workshops. My mission is to inspire people to be brave and use their creativity more. I exhibit my art in galleries and shops in Sweden.

In the beginning of 2017, I moved my studio to a bigger space where I can paint bigger paintings and run workshops on a regular basis. I have expanded my workshop offering to include weekly evening classes for kids and adults. I run weekend workshops in my own studio and around the world.

In 2018, I will do my second US tour and I will have workshops in several places in Europe. You can find my workshop schedule on my website (FlowbyJenny.com) and keep updated by signing up for my newsletter or following me on Instagram (FlowbyJenny) and Facebook (JennyGrantArt).

Through my art and my workshops I explore creativity, spirituality and life in general and my mission is to inspire others to do the same.

What type of art do you specialize in?

I am a mixed media artist. I love the big format but I am also addicted to art journaling. I paint in many layers and create my art based on an interesting process where my imagery emerges while painting. I work with mixed media – acrylic paint, ink, oil pastels, colour pencils, fabrics, paper, photos… anything that comes my way. My work is very
rich with many layers that add depth and texture to my work. There are no limits, nothing is wrong and there are no mistakes. The process is fun! My paintings evolve as I paint and I have no plan and no goal. It is my inner voice, my inner guide or wizard that guides me. With layers on layers, I create depth, texture and details. People often find my art very peaceful, even though it is colorful and full of energy.

When I start a blank canvas, I very seldom have a picture in my mind. I start by adding paper collage. I write words and poetry that pop into my mind onto the canvas. These layers and words inspire me through the process. I add each layer based on my feeling at that moment. I am big advocate of the Jackson Browns saying “Don’t wait for inspiration – it will find you”.

I create my art journals out of all the left overs from my big paintings. Paint and scrap paper is used to create junk books that I carry with me wherever I go. I use them as my notebooks and I keep one in my bag at all times. I paint and doodle in them whenever and whereever I have nothing else to do: on planes, in restaurants and at home when the kids do their homework. I love my art journals, they are part of my soul.

What is your art background?

I have been creative since I was a little kid but art was just a hobby for many years. I am an engineer and have worked in business development in the telecom and the medical industries for 20 years. I decided to let my art be a bigger part of my life and started to build my art business 10 years ago. I have slowly built it up and today I am a fulltime artist with my art represented around the world. I run workshops to inspire people to follow their dreams.

Please give an overview of the classes and
workshops you teach?

I do in-person workshops and online workshops covering painting on canvas and creating art journals. I have regular evening classes in my studio and I run weekend workshops in different places around the world.

In 2018, I will do my second US tour with my Find-your-Flow workshop and I will also do several workshops throughout Europe.

In my studio, I have weekly workshops for kids and adults and I do team building workshops for companies, hen-nights and fun workshops for families.

I believe that we all have a well of creativity and inspiration locked within us. We just need to find a key to open it and encourage the flow to stream without obstacles.

You can find my workshop schedule on my website (flowbyjenny.com) and keep updated by signing up for my newsletter or following me on Instagram (FlowbyJenny) and Facebook (JennyGrantArt).

Does teaching take creative time away from your
own artwork, or is it a good balance?

I love being on my own in the studio, finding my flow and painting for a whole day. Even more than that though, I love meeting likeminded people with the same passion for art and painting.

The happiness and joy that I find when there is a room full of people fully immersed in their own flow is magical. My workshops are a very important part of my business. My mission is to inspire others to be creative and do more of what they love. I think I have a good balance of both worlds.

How do in-person workshops compare to teaching
online courses?

I love the in-person workshops. It is very special to bring together a group of people that love the same thing and immerse into that space and energy together. We get to know each other in a very special way and make a connection that is hard to reach in day-to-day life.

The online workshops are special in different way. Here I can reach people that would never be able to attend a workshop. They can learn and be inspired at their own pace. These workshops are fun to create and is contributing to my business with a totally different kind of energy.

Are children’s art classes popular?

Yes, they are very popular. My studio is an oasis for these children where they can be creative without any expectations or requirements to perform. They create art where there is no right or wrong. I think it is extremely important that we nurture each kid’s own unique creativity. We need to encourage them to be brave, to make mistakes and to dare to not have full control of outcomes. There are skills I think are so important to life.

How does selling merchandise like bags and pillows
compare to selling prints and original artwork?

Not everyone can buy an original painting. My art reaches a different audience when it’s printed on pillows and bags. I love seeing my art in different settings and uses. The problem is that it’s difficult to make money selling products. It’s a lot of work to create the prints and to market and sell the products. Unfortunately, the profits are very small. I need to sell my products in large quantities to make money, so this is definitely a challenge.

Do you have any advice for artists hoping to build a
career out of their creative skills?

Let go and just do it!! Do not get stuck in the past or what is but take the next step towards your dreams. Listen to your inner voice and let your soul speak! Paint, if that is what you love doing.

But remember, be nice to yourself! You don’t build an art business in one day but you can take the first step today and start on a path towards what you, want to do. Set reachable goals and have big dreams. Give it time, but take regular steps towards your goals! Do not let a “no” stop you!! That is important. Keep sending your paintings to different exhibitions and ask local stores and restaurants if they want to exhibit your art. Be brave and vulnerable! Show what you are doing. Not everyone will like it, but that is ok! Your creativity is your soul speaking and your art is your unique contribution to this world. Please share it!

Jenny Grant Most Popular Art Class: Book of Flow

This is a very popular in-depth 3-week adventure in a unique Mixed Media Art Journaling process. Jenny shares all her favourite art supplies and techniques and guides you through the process of making your own Art Journal. Jenny will bring you into her Art Journaling world, in her studio as well as out and about in different places. She will art journal by the sea and on the plane and do two collaborations with some amazing artists in their studios.