Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Rachel Gallagher. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Rachel thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

There are many projects that I have had the honor to work on, which hold importance to me. Of these I would rank memorial portraits at the top. Any time I am asked to create a portrait, it’s special of course. However, I take it as the highest honor when a client requests to have a painting or drawing done of a loved one who has passed on. That is an immense amount of trust to be laid on an artist, and not something to be taken lightly. Memorialization projects are where I see art taking on an entirely new purpose. One of preservation and remembrance of life.

Portrait painting and drawing is a very intimate process of studying a person’s features to the point of memorization. My process is extremely tedious so that each portrait can be done in such a way that is honorable, especially in regards to a portrait of one who has passed away. Often times, after painting or drawing someone, I feel as if I know them.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

Ever since I was young I knew I wanted to be an artist. I was always most interested in creating and working with my hands. There truly wasn’t ever a time in my life when I considered a career outside of fine arts. I have an undergrad degree in art and education. Following college graduation I worked in schools teaching art, and elementary for three years.

Throughout my time as a teacher, I continued creating for myself and others. I worked on commissioned paintings, murals and participated in art fairs. My love of art and teaching are encompassed in the services I now offer independently, including: custom oil paintings, custom graphite drawings, private art lessons, paint parties, and murals. I am now teaching art lessons at the school I previously taught in, and absolutely adore it.

I am very passionate about collaboration, which makes working with me a more personalized experience than most. Building community and growing relationships are two concepts that I hold high in value. I am an artist who is very willing to work with personal requests that are of importance to my clients.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is seeing how art can evoke an emotional response. Anyone who collects art will know and understand this. As one who creates, it’s an amazing feeling when another person can share in admiration of my artwork and the labor that went into finishing it. In that regard I also find it very rewarding to share my love of creating in the form of teaching. I believe art is best enjoyed when it becomes a shared experience.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Supporting artists, and building a thriving creative ecosystem is a difficult journey in our current society, which revolves mostly around immediacy. We lack patience, we lack appreciation and respect for the labor put into how things are made. Mostly we are able to get exactly what we want when we want it. But, I believe their is an unspeakable beauty and sanctity in the handmade. Artists and creatives work hard for what they love. We build something out of nothing, and we labor over our products for endless amounts of time.

Therefore, in my personal opinion, to best support artists and creatives I think we should be seeking out the ones we identify with, and buy their products! It’s simple really; if you see an artist doing something you respect, buy from them. Shop small when you can, it goes a very long way for the small business owner.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.renewart82.com
• Instagram: @renew_art_