Rebecca Grant, a renowned contemporary artist known for her bold and magical creations opens up about her journey from canvas to catwalk and beyond…
by Andrew Hirst
Rebecca Grant is the kind of artist who makes you believe in magic. Not the kind of magic you find in fairy tales, but the kind that comes from pouring your heart and soul into a creation, and watching it come to life. For Rebecca, art is more than a career – it’s a form of communication, a way to express the inexpressible. Her work, whether hanging on gallery walls or adorning the bodies of fashionistas, tells stories of beauty, unity, and the timelessness of the human spirit. And that’s exactly why she’s a force to be reckoned with.
Rebecca’s story began in a hospital bed at just 16 years old. A severe asthma attack left her in a coma, teetering on the edge of life and death. When she finally awoke, something had changed. It was as if the experience had unlocked a new way for her to express herself, and she began painting with an intensity and focus she had never known before.
“I think near-death experiences have a way of making you reassess your life,” Rebecca says, her voice thoughtful but warm during our Zoom interview. “When I came out of that hospital, I just felt this overwhelming need to create. I didn’t know what I was creating at first, but I knew I had to put it on the canvas.”
It didn’t take long for others to notice her talent. By the age of 17, Rebecca’s work was already being recognised by some of the most prestigious names in the art world. She won the Young Artists Award as part of The Prince’s Trust, and her painting was exhibited at Hampton Court Palace. The piece was later gifted to Nottingham University Hospital, where the doctors and nurses who had saved her life the previous year were able to see first hand how far she had come.
“It was a full-circle moment for me,” Rebecca recalls. “To be able to give back to the people who had given me so much – that was really special.”
A childhood of creativity and expression
Rebecca’s artistic journey didn’t start in that hospital bed, though. She had been creating long before that, growing up in a home filled with art, music, and creativity. Her mother, a talented seamstress, often involved Rebecca and her sisters in making costumes for their theatre productions.
“We’d all be sitting by the fire, working on these incredible outfits for shows like The King and I. It was magical,” she reminisces with a fond smile. “I think that’s where I developed my love for colour, drama, and theatricality in my art.”
Even as a child, Rebecca knew that art was her calling. She spent hours sketching and painting, and at an early age she was selling her work on the streets of Nottingham alongside her friend and fellow artist, Pete Spowage. It was a humble start, but one that would eventually lead to international recognition.
Rebecca’s early experiences of selling her art directly to the public gave her a unique perspective on what it means to connect with an audience. “I think it’s one of the reasons I’ve always been so down-to-earth about my work,” she says. “It’s not about being up on a pedestal as an artist; it’s about creating something that speaks to people, that they can relate to.”
Finding Unity in Art
Rebecca’s art is more than just visually striking – it’s deeply meaningful. As she speaks about her work, it’s clear that she sees each piece as an exploration of the connection between humanity and the natural world, between the physical and the spiritual.
“My art is about unity,” she explains. “It’s about finding common ground, celebrating what makes us unique while also reminding us that we are all part of something bigger.”
This theme of unity runs through all of her collections, from the nautical drama of her Set Sail Collection to the introspective journey of her Yellow Brick Road Collection. In both, Rebecca draws on her spiritual beliefs and her fascination with the human experience.
“After my coma, I started thinking a lot about what it means to be alive – not just in a physical sense, but in a spiritual one. That’s something I try to capture in my paintings, this idea that there’s more to life than what we see on the surface.”
Her Set Sail Collection, for example, is not just about luxury yachts and maritime history. It’s about the relationship between mankind and the sea, about survival, teamwork, and the beauty of nature. Rebecca uses bold brushstrokes, rich colours, and gold leaf to create a sense of drama and movement, as if the viewer is standing on deck, feeling the wind and the spray of the ocean.
“I want people to feel like they’re part of the scene, and feel the excitement of the crew working together.” she says.
In her Yellow Brick Road Collection, Rebecca takes a more introspective approach. The collection is a reflection on life’s journey, on the paths we are “whipped into” and the choices we make along the way. “It’s about the journey we’re all on, the influences that shape us, and the possibility of stepping off the road to explore something different.”
From Canvas to Catwalk
Recently, Rebecca has taken her art in a bold new direction – literally, onto the catwalk. Her Canvas to Catwalk collection has transformed her vibrant, theatrical paintings into wearable works of art, with silk scarves and sarongs featuring designs from her Set Sail and Koi Fish collections.
“It was such a natural transition,”
she says. “I’ve always loved fashion, and the idea of turning my paintings into something people could wear just felt right.”
The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Rebecca’s silk scarves have become a hit, not just in the UK but internationally, with fashionistas and art lovers alike clamouring to wrap themselves in her creations.
One of the highlights of this new venture was when she and her husband, Ivan Pierson, packed up their car and drove to the French Riviera for a fashion show in Nice.
“We just loaded up the back of the car with paintings and scarves and headed off,” she laughs. “It was such an adventure, and seeing my art on the catwalk in Nice was surreal – in the best way.”
But for Rebecca, it’s not just about fashion. It’s about finding new ways to connect with people through her art. “Whether it’s on a canvas or a piece of clothing, it’s still about creating something that resonates with people, that makes them feel something.”
A Life in Balance
Despite her success, Rebecca remains incredibly grounded. Her studio is at her home in Norfolk, where she lives a quiet, balanced life with her husband and two children.
“I’ve always been a homebody,” she admits. “I love the peace and quiet of Norfolk. It’s the perfect place to create.”
But that doesn’t mean her life is without its challenges. As anyone in the creative industries knows, being an artist can be a rollercoaster. There are moments of doubt, of feeling unsure of the next step, but Rebecca has learned to trust the process.
“Painting is a journey of self-discovery,” she says. “You don’t always know where it’s going to lead, but you have to trust that it will take you somewhere meaningful.”
Her belief in the power of creativity is something she carries with her, not just in her art but in her everyday life. “A little belief goes a long way,” she says with a smile. “That’s something I always try to remember. If you believe in what you’re doing, that belief will carry you through.”
Looking Ahead
As we chat, it becomes clear that Rebecca’s journey is far from over. She has a solo show coming up in London next year, and she’s constantly working on new pieces for her collections. Her Set Sail Collection is expanding, incorporating new materials like crushed mother of pearl and lapis lazuli to add even more texture and depth to her work.
“I’m always experimenting,” she says. “That’s the fun of it. There’s always something new to discover.”
But even as she looks to the future, Rebecca remains focused on her core mission: creating art that connects, inspires, and uplifts. Whether she’s painting luxury yachts, exploring life’s journey, or turning her art into fashion, her goal remains the same: to communicate, to connect, and to celebrate the beauty of life.
Rebecca Grant’s art is a celebration of life – vibrant, bold, and full of heart. From her early days on the streets of Nottingham to her exhibitions in London and beyond, she continues to inspire with her creativity, her passion, and her unwavering belief in the power of art to bring people together.
Whether you’re admiring her work on canvas or wrapping yourself in one of her silk scarves, one thing is certain: Rebecca’s art is more than just something to look at. It’s something to feel, to experience, and to believe in.
www.rebeccagrant.co.uk