Artist Rachel Evans Grant Inspired By Clouds, Landscapes For ‘Natural Engagement: Where Earth Meets Sky

Interview Highlights

How her interest in painting clouds came about: 

“I was able to study in the south of France, where many great landscape painters, impressionists and post-impressionists created their work. And it gave me a love for plein air painting, which means painting in the opening air. I noticed something interesting happening in my work … I started really focusing on the clouds because I was so intrigued about the physical act of capturing them on canvas because they’re so transient in nature,” said Grant.

She continued, “You can’t capture a cloud exactly as it is because it’s always moving, so that became a really interesting challenge for me.”

Her painting of the 2017 implosion of the Georgia Dome: 

“It was right at sunrise, and it was a beautiful, clear morning. So, when the implosion happened, the building folded in on itself and created this cloud of debris and smoke. Because it was at sunrise, the clouds created a beautiful pink and orange because it was reflecting that sunrise light. I thought it was an interesting event in our city, and I was also intrigued by the idea of not just the natural cloud, but a man-made cloud.”

What she wants viewers to take away from her artwork: 

“I do think about where my art goes and its life after my studio. It’s important to me that I put beautiful and optimistic work out into the world. I am inspired by current events and news, but I choose to not portray clouds that may be linked to something that I would consider to be too sad or non-optimistic.”