Throughout her life, she has explored various avenues to harness her inner artist.

But it wasn’t until relatively recently that she decided to put herself and her work out there for all to see.

“It’s been a long journey for me. I went into graphic design and then art teaching before I thought, actually this is what I’ve always wanted to do but have never been brave enough to put myself out there,” the former Ballarat resident said.

“So it’s been a long process of finally getting the confidence to say, it doesn’t matter what people think, I want to do it.”

Having studied at Ballarat High School and the University of Ballarat (now Federation University), Grant later moved to Geelong before taking up residence in Adelaide where she really found her footing as an artist.

“Since moving to Adelaide I’ve been applying for grants and commission jobs and it has been a really good move for me,” she said.

“I also had a solo exhibition in Adelaide and have been involved in a whole lot of group shows as well which has given me that confidence.”

Grant has returned to her home state this month to open her first solo exhibition in Victoria.

Entitled Transparency, the show will be held at Analogue Academy in Geelong and will feature the artist’s giclee prints and light boxes.

As well as being an escape from the everyday pressures of everyday life, Grant said her work had an emphasis on power, light and colour and was an expression of her emotions.

“For me it’s partly about expressing what I’m feeling or what I’m wanting to feel,” she said.

“My work is very bright and colourful and has a positive feel to it. That’s not to say I always feel that way but it’s more about reflecting and remembering treasured memories.”

Grant also said the title of the exhibition reflected what she hoped to achieve through her work.

“Coming back to Victoria, I wanted it to be a show where I was transparent in myself and my artwork,” she said.

“One of the hardest things I find is being able to put my work on the wall but the next challenge is to explain the story behind it.

“I’m scared about people judging me but at the end of the day, it’s the truth and my art is an honest reflection of me. I want to be transparent and hopefully that comes across.”

Grant said even though the exhibition saw her explain the inspiration behind her work, she still hoped her art would inspire audiences to reflect on their own life.

“I want people to stop and look and see something new and slow down and reflect on their own life, their own experiences and their own relationships.”

Transparency will be held between October 2 and October 16. For more information, visit www.analogueacademy.com.au