Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Grant.
Hi Andrea, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
As a Native American storyteller, I have always striven to find new ways to tell stories, whether it be through poetry, photography, comic books, graphic novels, live-action video, music, spoken word, and multimedia art. It is only through exploring that we can continue to achieve new heights as Indigenous artists. Adaptability has been underlying the foundation upon which we stand today.
I studied Creative Writing and English Literature at Kwantlen Polytechnic University in Vancouver. In 2004, I moved to New York City to pursue my dream of being an artist. New York was everything I wanted it to be—creatively stimulating, gritty, and multicultural. I was inspired to expand my portfolio into different genres, building up publishing credits in literary journals and magazines. I began performing spoken word at world-class venues such as the Nuyorican Poet’s Cafe and Le Poisson Rouge.
Around this time, I began to dream in a more spiritual way, with visions of Spirit Animals and messages from Ancestors as I walked through the dimension of “Dreamtime.” I was inspired to create stories about MINX, a mixed-blood Indigenous woman with a pack of supernatural wolves who help her assume monumental skills and strength.
MINX evolved into a graphic novel series that merges the classic superhero motif with First Nations beliefs and world mythology. In Dreamtime, MINX battles evil with the help of her wolves and a group of supernatural friends. MINX was a mirror of my own life and cultural heritage, a woman of mixed blood who hears the echoes of her Native ancestors speaking through her father’s Coast Salish bloodline.
I created several MINX comics, which were featured at Comic-Con from 2006—2012, and my graphic novel “Dream War” is in its 2nd Edition. This was a major milestone for me as a developing writer and artist.
Concurrently, I continued to write poetry and ventured into making spoken word, starting with “Modern Native” in 2020 and continuing with “Night Swimming” in 2024. Both films have received acclaim, garnering awards at film festivals intentionally.
Has it been a smooth road? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Nothing about the artist’s path is easy—we are called to this adventure, and there is no ignoring the impulse to create something beautiful.
I have overcome insurmountable obstacles, including being raised in a religious Christian cult. I never listened to the naysayers, and I never accepted failure as my reality.
There is a quote by George Orwell that has always stayed with me, which goes: “Writing a book is a horrible, exhausting struggle, like a long bout of some painful illness. One would never undertake such a thing if one were not driven on by some demon whom one can neither resist nor understand.”
I don’t mind being exhausted, and I have made peace with my demons.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My artistic reputation comes from a unique melding of mythological stories, poems, photography, film, spoken word audio, and live performances designed to create a dynamic expression that can be understood on many levels.
Throughout, my work is deeply informed by my Native American heritage, where I often weave together traditional Coast Salish legends and classic fairytales, which are infused with multicultural and feminist influences. Due to this blended point of view, my writing is often described as being that of a “Modern Native.”
I have been awarded several prestigious First Nations Storyteller grants from the Canada Council for the Arts, as well as grants from the B.C. Arts Council, and the First Peoples’ Cultural Council, which is an honor that has allowed me to continue developing my body of work.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
Throughout my artistic journey, I have maintained a parallel career path. Previously, I worked in publishing before transitioning into the realm of advertising. In 2015, I took decided to establish my own company, Copious Consulting. When Covid-19 emerged, it prompted a significant shift in the industry. Brands suddenly recognized the importance of establishing an online presence as live events became unfeasible. It’s incredibly rewarding to assess a brand’s identity and devise strategies to tell their story in innovative ways. I’m excited to continue working in this dynamic arena.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://andreagrant.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreagrant.copious
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn82KxsYv0sbsKpvsyDfpTg
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/andrea-grant-minx
Image Credits
Gary Breckheimer
Susana Clark
Viva Van Story
