Meet Grace Martin Franklin

We were lucky to catch up with Grace Martin Franklin recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Grace Martin , thank you so much for making time for us today. Let’s jump right into a question so many in our community are looking for answers to – how to overcome creativity blocks, writer’s block, etc. We’d love to hear your thoughts or any advice you might have.

Over time, I’ve come to see creative blocks not as failures, but as signs that something needs to shift. For me, they often feel silent and lonely. I start to feel like my usual instincts have gone still because my mind is overloaded with everything else life demands.

Instead of trying to force an idea, I focus on reconnecting with the process. I set up a few small surfaces and just start painting. No sketch, no plan, no color palette in mind, just movement. That practice alone often unlocks something. A single brushstroke, a texture, even the act of mixing paint can pull me in a new direction, and that’s usually enough to get things flowing again.

Painting has always been grounding for me. Even when I’m stuck or frustrated, it never feels negative. It’s the space where I feel most focused and aligned. People often describe my work as calming or uplifting, and I think that’s because painting is where I go to process the chaos. It’s how I find clarity when everything else feels uncertain.

Creative blocks are temporary. They don’t mean you’re out of ideas. They just mean you might need to shift your pace, try something new, or give yourself more space. The key is to keep showing up, stay curious, and trust that inspiration will return.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I’m a full-time visual artist based in North Carolina, working primarily in abstract painting with acrylic and ink. My work centers on breaking down natural forms into shape, line, and color—driven by intuition and experimentation. I love how a painting can start from a simple idea and evolve into something completely unexpected.

Before becoming a full-time artist, I taught high school visual art for over a decade. That experience deeply shaped how I think about creativity. My students showed me just how powerful it is to take risks and experiment—and those lessons still inspire me every day. I often told them, “learn the rules so you can break them,” a phrase I try to live by in my own work.

Over the past couple of years, I’ve been lucky to share my work in places like the North Carolina Museum of Art Museum Store, The Studio in Apex, and Art Space, along with various spots around Raleigh and Wilmington. I’ve also enjoyed being part of festivals like Artsplosure and pop-up events at NCMA and CAM. One of the most rewarding experiences has been helping other artists showcase their work. I collaborated with the amazing team at Whiskey Kitchen to launch Know Your Artist, an event that brings local artists and the community together in a relaxed, welcoming space. I’m also passionate about finding new ways to connect emerging artists with local groups to support their journey into sharing their art more widely.

Right now, I’m focused on commissions and developing some fresh new pieces. I’m also excited about growing my art business through more exhibitions, collaborations, and mentoring emerging artists. At the core of everything I do is the belief that art should be personal, always evolving, and shared with others.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Three qualities that have been so important in my journey are courage, adaptability, and persistence.

Courage has been one of the most essential parts of my journey as an artist. It takes courage to create something personal and then offer it up to the world, not knowing how it will be received. Every time I share a painting—whether it’s on a gallery wall, at a pop-up, or online—there’s a quiet moment of vulnerability. That work carries a part of me, and putting it out there never stops feeling a little brave.

But courage isn’t just about sharing the finished piece. It’s also about taking creative risks and pushing past the fear of doing something “wrong.” I’ve learned not to overthink every choice in the studio, and instead to follow instincts, curiosity, and what feels honest. That willingness to explore, even without a clear outcome, is what keeps my work growing.

During my time as a teacher, I used to encourage students to play, to make mistakes, and to stay open. That advice still guides me. Courage, for me, is choosing growth over comfort—and trusting that there’s value in the process, even when the outcome is uncertain.

Adaptability has played a huge role in my journey. Creating the art is just one part of what I do. Running an art business means wearing a lot of hats, including photographer, website builder, social media planner, and accountant. I’ve had to figure out so many things along the way, most of which I never expected to be part of the job. But being open to learning and staying flexible has helped me move forward even when things felt overwhelming. That same adaptability shows up in the studio, too. Whether I’m working with a client, preparing for a show, or trying to push through a creative block, I’ve learned to stay curious and adjust as I go. Things don’t always go to plan, and that’s okay. Being willing to shift direction is often where the best growth happens.

And finally, persistence—or maybe stubbornness is a better word. There have been plenty of times when quitting felt like the easiest option, when the challenges piled up or progress seemed to stall. But I’ve learned that the key is to keep showing up, even when it’s tough. Sometimes you have to push yourself beyond what feels possible and put in extra hours and effort. It’s often right after those moments of doubt that real growth begins to happen.

For anyone just starting out, my biggest advice is this: don’t give up. Let your work evolve, trust your gut, and surround yourself with people who believe in what you’re doing. The path isn’t straightforward or prescriptive, but the more you invest in it — your time, energy, and belief — the more it will give back in return.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have people in my life who believed in me even when I wasn’t sure of myself. One person who’s made a huge difference is my friend and mentor, an artist with a long and successful career who has sold her work around the world. She’s walked a similar path, shifting careers and building a business from the ground up based on her passion for art. Without her support, I don’t think I’d be starting this chapter as a full-time artist.

She’s helped me navigate the business side of art, which can feel especially overwhelming when your brain is wired more for creativity than spreadsheets. From giving honest feedback on my work to researching galleries and even helping me figure out what to look for in an accountant, she’s shared her knowledge generously. Art can be isolating, and having someone who understands the highs and lows, offering strength where I have gaps, has been invaluable.

I also have to give a shoutout to my students. After 11 years of teaching, I’ll always remember their courage, curiosity, and unfettered critiques. Helping them each day reminded me to practice what I preached—to take risks, stay curious, and be bold in my own work, just like I encouraged them to be in theirs.

And finally, the artist and small business community here in North Carolina has been an incredible source of support. I’ve connected with so many people who are open about their own practices, struggles, and successes. They’ve been generous with their time and wisdom, and have created space for others to grow alongside them.

Also, a special thanks to my husband, who lets me take over room after room and never complains about the paint that is literally everywhere in our house.

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