Grant Christian was born in Edinburg, Indiana on July 17, 1911 and eventually became a husband to Clara M. Schneider Christian and a father to Susan Ann Christian and Anthony B. Christian. He was not only a well-known artist, but also a prominent Indianapolis advertising executive. He studied at the John Herron Art Institute for six years, graduating in 1933. He also attended the Pennsylvania Academy for Fine Arts for one year. His most prominent teachers throughout his career included: William Forsythe, Clifton Wheeler, Frank Schoonover, and more.

During the Great Depression, he entered many artistic competitions offered by the Works Progress Administration such as the Louisville Marine Hospital Mural Competition and the Lafayette ...