FROM THE ARTIST:

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I was born in 1981 in 29 Palms, California, into the ever-changing world of a military family. My childhood was spent moving from one base to another, navigating the constant transitions to new towns, new schools, and new faces. With each move, I found myself starting over as “the new kid.” It was a challenging and often isolating experience, as it would be for any child.

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To manage the overwhelming swirl of emotions that accompanied such perpetual upheavals, I turned to my sketchbooks. Within their pages, I discovered a sanctuary—a place where I could explore the boundless possibilities of my imagination. There, I wasn’t “the new kid.” I was simply me, creating magical worlds filled with flowers, fairy tales, and endless wonder.

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What began as a lifeline became the heart of who I am at my core. For those who knew me back then, it’s almost impossible to recall a memory of me without, at minimum, a box of crayons & a Care Bears coloring book in hand.

That creative spark hasn’t dimmed. Whether I’m working on an art piece or diving into a DIY project for friends, family, or my own home (a playful wink to my husband, who loves to tease me about constantly starting new projects), art is still the thread that ties my life together. My professional path has also been rooted in creativity, spanning interior design, faux finishing, and countless other artistic ventures.

In 2016, after a significant life event, (the catastrophic, dare I say apocalyptic, 1,000-year flood that swept through central Louisiana—flattening everything in its path and leaving hundreds of thousands devastated in its wake.) I made the decision to focus more intentionally on my painting in an effort to refine my artistic voice. Today, I dedicate myself to creating works that span a variety of subjects and styles. My favorite, though, is abstract art that defies convention—pieces that aim to evoke emotion and challenge perspectives.

At its core, my art is deeply personal. My objective is to better understand myself by giving shape to my emotions—a process I think of as “confronting my subconscious through creation.” In other words, I paint my feelings. This journey, though often challenging, has been transformative. With each piece I create, I learn more about myself and the world around me, and I’m endlessly inspired to keep exploring what’s possible.

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                                                                                                -that Artgirl...Rachel