Rising Stars: Meet Grace Martin Franklin of Raleigh, North Carolina

Today we’d like to introduce you to Grace Martin Franklin.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
As a child, I always told my parents I wanted to be an artist. It started when my teachers would have us write stories or create crafts about our futures. To my parents’ surprise (and perhaps occasional horror), that dream never went away. While the only other option I would consider at the time was to be an astronaut, my parents hoped I would eventually outgrow my childish career dreams. However, no amount of maturity or schooling could overshadow my love of art.

I graduated from Meredith College with a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design and a minor in Art. I explored various career paths, but in the end, I decided I wanted to be an art teacher. I returned to Meredith to complete my art major and finish the courses for my K-12 teaching license. For the past eleven years, I have been a visual arts teacher at Longleaf School of the Arts. When I began teaching, I found myself truly immersed myself in art. I learned to reimagine techniques, come up with new ways to inspire students, and watch them struggle and grow in their creative journeys everyday.

My own art began with a fascination for realism. I was captivated by the idea of capturing the world around me and sharing how I saw things with others. I was drawn to the tiny details in fabric and the way light glinted off surfaces. As I worked with students, I continually encouraged them to find their own artistic voice. Along the way, I realized that I had not yet found my own style. While my students started from the basics of art and learned the fundamentals, I realized that I, too, needed to return to the beginning and rediscover my artistic path.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when I was teaching from home, I found myself lost in my thoughts. I was no longer surrounded by students who were creating and inspiring me every day, and it felt like a huge creative and social loss. However, this period of isolation allowed me to reflect on my own art practices. I realized that I had never really allowed myself to fail. I sought certainty and reassurance that what I was creating was “right,” both technically and from the perspective of a viewer. I also recognized that, while I encouraged my students to learn the rules and then break them unapologetically, I had not given myself that same freedom. I wanted my students to break boundaries and find their unique voice, so I decided it was time for me to do the same.

It has now been a little over two years since I fully dedicated myself to my own art. While I am still a full-time teacher, I work on my art every day.

A year and nine months ago, a friend asked me when I was going to start sharing my art with a wider audience. I had been keeping it mostly to myself and sharing it only with those close to me. She noticed my hesitation and took it upon herself to connect me with the manager of a neighborhood restaurant, who agreed to display my work. This led to my first art show in March 2023 at Taste in Raleigh.

In the past two years, I have been fortunate enough to showcase my art at The North Carolina Museum of Art Museum Store, The Pocket at City Market Artist Collective, The Studio in Apex, and various businesses in Raleigh and Wilmington, including Taste, Whiskey Kitchen, BSide Hair Studio, East Lane Parlour, and Hart & Hill Interiors.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I think artists, as a whole, struggle with self-doubt and a fear of failure. There are times when I feel really lost and isolated, trying to manage all the aspects of the business that come with being an artist. Most people assume that the pursuit of art involves creating art all day, but the reality is that you end up being your own media manager, accountant, graphic designer, photographer, marketer, and more. On top of that, you’re expected to produce art at an unrelenting pace. I also continue to be a full-time teacher, which, in itself, is not a job you can leave behind when you go home for the day. So, I would say time is always my worst enemy. I constantly struggle to balance everything, but I wouldn’t be where I am now without teaching. My art continues to develop and change as I struggle. Art is who I am, and it changes me as much as I create it.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am an abstract painter who primarily works with acrylics and ink. My work is centered around breaking down natural forms into compositions guided by line, shape, and color. I take an intuitive approach, starting with an idea that evolves over time through experimentation. This process allows me to explore different styles and techniques, which leads to a diverse body of work. While the methods I use vary, I try to keep a consistent style that ties my pieces together.

What makes my work meaningful to me is how it reflects my perspective on the world. When I look at an object or scene, I tend to notice its individual components—the lines and colors—before I fully perceive it as a whole. This constant process of deconstructing and reconstructing my observations helps me create pieces that feel personal and reflective of how I see things. I enjoy experimenting with both smaller works on paper and larger pieces on canvas, which pushes me to be more free of the rules I struggle so hard not to follow.

I am a person who hates to sit still. I believe my work reflects my restlessness and is an ongoing exploration evolving each day. I have learned to be very adaptable and patient as a teacher. The ability to adjust and experiment helps me push my own boundaries, making each piece a reflection of where I am both as an artist and as an individual.

How do you define success?
Success, for me, is about pursuing what I love and sharing it with others. I feel a sense of success every time someone connects with a piece I’ve created. There is so much joy in sharing art and having someone gain a deeper understanding of who I am through my work. Each small accomplishment brings new joy and a fresh experience. I love how every day brings something new, with new opportunities and experiences constantly unfolding.

Career-wise, success means continuing to work with students, particularly at the high school level, while also finding more time to create art. I’d love to expand my reach and show my work to a broader audience beyond my local community. I also want to continue supporting aspiring artists and share the knowledge I’ve gained with others. For instance, I collaborate with a downtown restaurant, Whiskey Kitchen, where I helped launch an event called “Know Your Artist,” where artists showcase their work to customers each month. I also encourage my students to participate in art events and get their art out into the community. Art is about sharing a little piece of who you are with others. My hope is to not only share my art, but to empowered others to do the same.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.gracemartinfranklinart.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gracemartinfranklin_art/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010304837670
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grace-franklin-3b5986297/?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
• Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/gracemartinfranklin