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Inspiration

Illustration Show and Tell.

What I’ve been working on these days.

Having a daily art practice is important not just for improving your craft but also for staying abreast with what is happening in the art world. There’s so many interesting people with amazing skills that are working on projects and original ideas! I love seeing what others are up to and how they continue to challenge themselves. I think that’s a huge part of being artist. Do I challenge myself with new ideas and skills that put me outside of my comfort zone and force me to see my work in a different way?

One of my biggest challenges in these last few years has been learning (and improving) the skills for digital illustration. I found it very daunting in the beginning. This is a common reaction by most artists that work with traditional materials. It’s not tactile. There’s costs involved in starting out. There’s a learning curve with new software and tools. It can be incredibly frustrating and humbling to see your best attempts fail. But I got a second and third and fourth wind and now I am actually enjoying digital painting and illustrating! (I never thought the day would come). I am finding myself working digitally more than anything else. There is so much to learn that I have to pace myself otherwise I could easily spend 10-12 hours taking classes and practicing. But the rewards have been very satisfying. Not every attempt is great but it is helping me free my mind and to try new things. It’s ok to make bad art when you are learning something new. No perfectionism here. Just putting in the time and the effort to see what happens next. Will I develop a new digital style? Who knows? But I’m having fun along the way.

So, enough of all that. Please check out the new illustrations that I’m putting on my merchandise page. There’s a bunch of new and fun items for sale. I also lowered the prices on all of the items. I’m hoping this will tempt some of you who stopped by the site and just browsed in the past.

If you are here just to see what’s new; thanks for stopping by.

I see you and appreciate you very much.

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Inspiration

It’s time.

I know it’s not helpful to go ‘dark’ on your friends but I’m back. Sort of.

These past several months I have been diligently working everyday. Not an exaggeration. I mean it. Everyday. I love working. I love creating. I am one of those unicorns that has a daily art practice. I get up. I take care of the necessary chores and then I sit down to read emails and do a couple of hours of ‘learning’. I take online classes. Every single day. I love to learn. I have probably spent enough time doing self-education that I could have 3 MFAs since the beginning of the pandemic. This isn’t free education either. I pay for a ton of classes. I also pay for things like Domestika, SkillShare, Maestro, CreativeLive, courses on Kajabi, Coursera, PaintTube TV, etc. (Just to name a few). I don’t expect these to make me into some sort of super-artist overnight. I just love to learn new ideas, techniques and styles. I want to see what ideas others are working on. It gives me inspiration. It also gives me hope. I love to see the styles that others have and how they differ wildly. It is so reassuring to see that there isn’t the perfection of realism that will appeal to the world. It is the uniqueness and personality of an artist that catches people’s eye. I find that there are fine artists out there that want to hold the art world to their standard of perfection as though it were the only style or creative expression that has meaning, and I find that extremely frustrating. It becomes the kind of gate-keeping that we really need to get away from. Artists supporting artists is what makes me smile. Not a fine artist that feels better by putting down another’s work. (You obviously aren’t that good if you need to discredit another person’s expression). Have you ever noticed that some of the most amazing and prolific artists are generous with their feedback and kind words? Yup. Me too.

Where am I going with this? I just want to let you know where I’ve been and what I’ve been up to. I’ve had a challenging 20 months or so. I went from really believing in myself and my work, to not entering any shows and not having any sales, (in-person or otherwise). There’s a lot more to that story but let’s just say I’m feeling like I can come out of my hidey-hole and greet the world again. I’m not feeling 100% but I feel like I can take care of myself again and I don’t feel like giving up anymore.

So, here’s a ‘hiya’ to anyone here who reads this. Thanks for checking in with me. I hope to share some work very soon.

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Inspiration

Greer Arts & Eats

Last weekend was our first festival event since Hurricane Helene. It was nice to be outside, in the sunshine, chatting with strangers about art and how they were enjoying their Saturday downtown. It felt like a successful day even though sales weren’t as high as I had hoped.

We sold 16 pieces. 15 pictures were smalls on paper and one was a petite canvas. It was good to know I had recouped the fees from the canceled event back on September 28-29. And as a bonus I had a bit more to pay towards some bills.

It’s hard for some people to imagine how much artists have to front in costs for these events. Just your spot rental can be $300-1500. Then there’s all the supplies, fuel, parking, food and maybe even a hotel stay. It’s rough if you don’t clear at least double your booth cost. And to make a living? Well, way more than that.

But that being said, I love talking to people and I love talking about art with people.

I’m looking forward to the next event in 10 days, at the Fall for the Arts Festival in Hendersonville. Hope we see more art-appreciative folks there!

xox

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Inspiration

Hurricane Helene

Will the WNC and Asheville recover?

One of the biggest reasons I agreed to move to this area was because of the artistic vibe. I really loved the fact that Asheville and the surrounding mountain towns were so friendly to their local artists. Shops and restaurants were art-aware and looking to promote their local talents. People were going out on the Friday night art walks with their glasses of wine, discussing the new works on display and the goings on of the small town. Charcuterie boards out and laughter as the sun went down. I really like it here.

I never in a million years years imagined this laid back, woo-woo, working class, dog-loving, retired, well-heeled, touristy population having to come together to scavenge for grey water in order to flush their toilets.

I had some challenges at my home. Downed trees. Blocked access to the towns and nothing to buy at the supermarkets anyway. No electricity meant no water as well. But we were grateful. Grateful that we and our friends had all survived. That no one was unaccounted for. Grateful for the generator that could get turned on for 1 hour a day. Grateful for mild temperatures outside.

Could I complain about lost income, sales, prospective collectors and commissions? Could I complain about lost fees to apply to shows and the shows being cancelled causing me to lose the cost of my setup space? Could I complain about all of the work of hustling to get all my pieces ready and packed, along with a multitude of other items needed to run your business on the street for 2-3 days? Of course I could. I’m just a working artist like anybody else. I deserve to feel like my work means something. I work hard, to make what I have to offer, something that my clients will love and enjoy for years to come.

But I can’t complain at all. Because I know the reality of what is happening all around me. Not just landslides and inconvenient road hazards and downed power lines. I mean the people who are missing. The families who are now broken. Successful recovery missions that are heartbreaking for the workers and the families. I have nothing to complain about. I have nothing to say. Other than I am so sorry to all those who are grieving and to those who are still waiting to hear news. There’s nothing I can do to take that trauma away. But I am so very sorry for your loss.

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Inspiration

Plein Air Week

What a busy week it has been! The weather was great until it wasn’t. Thursday evening just as the Quick Draw was beginning at 4pm, the rain began, and the paper began to buckle and the ink spilled.

I immediately started to worry that I had made some bad choices. Location to paint. My materials. The difficulty of my subject. Bringing my dog with me (I have a 100lb German Shepherd). But my worries began to slow down as I got into a flow and let the surrounding dissolve into the mist around me. I was so into my work that I didn’t realize the local paper was photographing me and asking questions with a recording going. That level of flow is where I feel happy and content. I can literally forget about the world around me and just see what I’m working on.

It was 2 hours well spent because I was very satisfied with the likeness of the subject and the finished product in my limited time. I didn’t win any awards or prize money this year but I’m happy to say the painting has found a home.

The painting of Highland Books also sold at this show.

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Inspiration

Art Festivals in September

Oh my! I’m so excited to be getting ready for, not one, but TWO upcoming art festivals here in western North Carolina. These are such fun because of the location, the people and the art of course! 

I will be setting up my space at the Art Is In The Air event on September 14, 2024in the adorable mountain town of Brevard, NC. This is one of my favorite festivals because it isn’t too big and the folks are all great. There’s a bunch of other artists there, shops and galleries, great food and craft beer artisans too. Come and check it out. It’s a beautiful time of year to be in the mountains. 

My second festival will be at Art On Main in the awesome town of Hendersonville, NC. This is an amazing event that has been going on for 65 years! This event spans September 28 & 29, 2024 from 10a -5p. This is a serious Fine Art and Craft event that includes every kind of high quality artwork and live demonstrations. Throw in some great restaurants and galleries making this is a great couple of days. 

While getting ramped up for all this exciting stuff I’ve been working on getting my paintings ready to show. There’s another 12 paintings that dropped into the website. Check them out before they head out to the tent in a couple of months. 

Thank you all for your support and I really hope to see you at my tent in September.

-Rachel

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Inspiration

Acceptance to juried show

Throughout the year, it’s not uncommon for an artist to apply to several art shows. Especially if the artist is working on getting their name out there and wanting to meet more potential collectors. Each show has an application fee, which is usually nonrefundable. This is just part of the cost of making art. The exciting bit is when you hear back that your application was not only reviewed but accepted by the Jury. That means you get to pay a big fat fee to have your booth at this art fair! Yay.

Again, this is just part of the cost of being an artist. Your hopes are that you meet enough people, hand out enough contact cards and take enough emails that you’ve expanded your reach of future collectors who may enjoy having a piece of your artwork in their life. The other benefit is that someone will actually buy a piece that will help to cover the costs of your booth! (ha ha). Leave a comment below and take some guesses on how much a booth fee for this show will be.


I’m excited to say that I was accepted to one of the best art fairs in this area. I have actually volunteered for this show in the past and wondered if it’s the kind of show that I could get into one day. Well, this fall it will be one of two shows I will be in in September 2024.
I’m already working on my inventory and getting everything I need together. The shows are a lot of work and take a lot of moving parts and materials.
As the dates get closer I will announce more about the show and where I will be located. Can’t wait to see you there! 🖤

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Inspiration

Marked Tree Vineyard

I wish today was looking like the weather we had all week but what’s the point in complaining; a day at a vineyard is a good day, yes?

Today I’ll be participating at a plein air event in Flat Rock, NC. Like I mentioned, it won’t be the warmest and most picturesque day to be outside but there will be a tent and there are the refreshments of course.

If you feel so inclined, come by and say hello. I’d love to see you!

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Inspiration

🥇Blue Ribbon

We had a blast at Art is in the Air. The tent was a success with lots of visitors and so many compliments on my work. But the highlight for sure was winning first place in the Quick Draw competition. That was a pleasant surprise! The second best moment was meeting the buyer. Thank you Pat!
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Just ask!

This is a short post to say that I love it when I get feedback from clients or potential clients about something that they like but they are curious if I can make something with just them in mind. If I can make it happen I am more than happy to. And I love hearing other folks ideas and wishes. How cool is it to be able to ask for something personalized and then to have it come to you? You are that special and you deserve it. So, just ask! I’m happy to try and make it happen just for you!