Creating art does not come naturally to everyone, but sometimes, the urge to get creative can bring beautiful results. McDonough resident Yasna Grainger has not been an artist her entire life, but she has found a calling in working with acrylic paint. Acrylic, according to Grainger, is “her favorite medium due to its forgiving nature.” Grainger does not only paint with acrylics, however; she also creates mixed media art pieces, junk journals, and works with watercolors.

When speaking with Grainger, she stated that she was shocked to be contacted for this article, since she did not consider herself an artist. However, Grainger has proven that “art” can mean whatever you want it to mean. Last year, Grainger began posting her works of art on her personal Facebook page. Although none of the posts had detailed descriptions, many individuals contacted her wanting to purchase her work. People are able to connect personally with Grainger’s art and attach sentimental meaning to every painting she puts out.

In July 2023, Grainger began posting her works online. By the end of the year, she had already sold one hundred paintings. This explosive growth goes to show that one should not doubt their own artistic ability; there will always be someone in the world who will relate to your artwork. Grainger states that her main inspiration is “the beauty found in everyday objects–from the texture of old papers to the delicate elegance of dried flowers, and the vibrant hues that can transform a blank canvas into a magical piece of art.”

Grainger’s most popular works have been done around Christmas Time. During this season, Grainger creates many paintings of cardinal birds. She says that these birds are one of her favorite things to paint because of their spiritual meaning: “When people see [cardinals] it is a divine message. They remind people of loved ones that they have lost.” Whether people are buying these paintings for themselves or as gifts for people they know, their emotional connection to her work is incredibly special for Grainger. She explains that her artistic journey is “rooted in her family’s artistic legacy,” especially influenced by the matriarchs who have painted through each generation. Now, being able to pass on her work to other families is extremely special.

Yasna Grainger’s beautiful paintings range from canvases as small as two inches wide to larger, 5”x7” canvases. If you or anyone you know would like to view or purchase one of Grainger’s unique pieces of art, she can be found on Facebook at YG Studio.