We were lucky to catch up with Rachael Fischer recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Rachael, thanks for joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

Art has always sparked my interest. I was always drawing, coloring, or just doodling with anything I could write with at a young age, and as I was a little older, I experimented with watercolor, oil, and acrylic painting. Growing up in the mountains of Tennessee with spectacular views and tons of outdoor activities, I spent a lot of time outside hiking, rock climbing, and exploring. I always wanted to capture the scenery on canvas, because pictures just don’t do it justice sometimes. But art, however passionate I felt about it, remained a hobby because I didn’t think I was talented enough to paint like the Impressionist Masters I loved so much. I studied business in college, at UT Chattanooga, took some art history classes, but ultimately graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing.

As a self taught artist, I did a lot of reading. I’d study color theory and composition among other topics, and I’d try the things I learned. Quantity over quality. I ended up with TONS of failed paintings, but I learned from them all. The game-changer for me was plein air painting. Most of the artists I admired were impressionist painters who would go outside and paint on location. The more I painted from life, the more I understood the things I read about. Sometimes things would just “click” after reading them for the hundredth time and applying those new techniques outside. Then I’d reflect after a finished painting, trying to find out WHY things did or didn’t work (while trying not to be too hard on myself in the process!).

Plein air painting got me out of my comfort zone and really expanded my creativity. When you take all your supplies with you outside to paint, things get challenging, even for experienced artists. Things go wrong, a lot. There’s wind and dirt. The light and shadows keep changing. It’s too hot or too cold. Mosquitos. But the spontaneity and emotion really show in paintings that I start outside. The colors are truer and a sense of being in the moment emerges. I really learned what the authors of the books I read meant they said you must “see like an artist.” Rather than looking at your subject and seeing a lake, tree, or building, you see shapes, lines, and values. You learn to see the colors that make up all the grays and browns in the landscapes. I’d hike with my easel and supplies to find new landscapes almost daily some summers. I probably did hundreds of small studies on canvas panels; many ended up unfinished or just didn’t work, and the ones that did were far from what I’d consider masterpieces – but each one took me a small step forward in learning to paint the world around me. My artistic style started to develop on its own when I just focused on enjoying nature and applying techniques and ideas that I’d learned. My style continues to change and evolve, just as I do. Trying to capture my experiences on canvas is always a novel, exciting, chaotic, and humbling adventure.

My favorite part about learning the craft is that, as an artist, you’re NEVER done. Just when you think you really know everything there is to know about a subject, you hear a different point of view, and it opens new paths to explore. Getting different perspectives from people with different lived experiences is key in learning art. Paintings can be meaningful in many ways to many types of people. Being a lifelong art student is rewarding, and my decision to move to South Carolina and pursue painting professionally has been so fulfilling.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a self-taught artist based in South Carolina. I grew up in the mountains of Tennesse with a love of nature and the outdoors. I’ve been drawing and painting for as long as I can remember, eventually turning my focus to painting en plein air, combining my passions for nature and art.

In 2021 I moved to Mount Pleasant, SC, a town with views of dreamlike marsh sunrises, near Sullivan’s Island and Isle of Palms, and close to Downtown Charleston. Now I spend most of my time capturing the surreal beauty of the low country, from its beaches and wildlife to its marshes and historical architecture.

I begin my work outdoors, describing the scenery in acrylics on small wood or canvas panels. I complete my work in studio, often on larger substrates, layering and building until the color relationships express a sense of place and mood from my experience. My art, whether on location or in the studio, is about connecting with nature. I have an impressionistic approach to shapes and colors, adding in details with a touch of realism at times. I love to emphasize and exaggerate the colors I see bouncing around outside in the light and shadows – the ones that you may only see for a moment or from the corner of your eyes – but bring a feeling of harmony and vibration to my paintings.

I’m a member of both the Mount Pleasant Artist Guild and the Charleston Artist Guild. You can see my paintings on display at Perspective Gallery here in Mount Pleasant, and in certain vacation rental homes in the area. This year, two of my paintings won awards at the local annual Blessings of the Fleet & Seafood Festival.

I’m always open to new opportunities to share my passion for painting with others, and welcome commissioned requests for custom artwork inspired by the natural beauty of the low country and beyond. You can view both recent and past works on my website! RHFischerFineArt.com

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

My journey hasn’t been without setbacks and obstacles to overcome. In my 20s, I was diagnosed with a type of autoimmune arthritis, which severely limited my physical abilities including balance, ability to walk or hold a paintbrush, and therefore my ability to paint on location. Later, I received another autoimmune diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes, which further restricted my physical and emotional well-being, and left me dependent on insulin to live.

There’s a lot of technology out there that helps Type 1 Diabetics live relatively “normal” lives, but insurance companies don’t always want to cover these things. (Because healthcare and pharmaceutical companies in the United States put profits over people, insulin costs over 8x more here than in other countries. For more info, check out the American Diabetes Association www.diabetes.org and the World Health Organization www.who.int ). I faced the fear of not being able to afford the necessary treatments and equipment.

Painting was my self-care, therapy, and source of strength through this transition. It taught me patience and determination, and gave me confidence. Being insulin-dependent doesn’t get any easier, but you get more used to it as time goes by. With the support of my family and doctors, I regained control over my health and pursued my passion for painting – aiming to inspire others to overcome limitations and embrace the outdoors. I hope that people find elation and inspiration through my story and artwork.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

There’s a lot of ways society can support local artists and creatives. Both institutions and individuals can provide grants, funding, and scholarships to artists and creatives. This financial assistance can help cover expenses such as art supplies, studio spaces, exhibition costs, and living expenses, allowing artists to focus on their work. By incorporating arts and creativity into educational curricula, society can nurture the talents of young artists and encourage their development. Mentorship programs, workshops, and artist-in-residence initiatives can also provide valuable guidance and support for emerging artists.

In my community, I’m a member of the Charleston Artist Guild and the Mount Pleasant Artist Guild. Both guilds raise money for art scholarships to support young artists. When someone purchases one of my paintings through Perspective Gallery, 10% of proceeds go to support the nonprofit. People can find local artist guilds and nonprofits and ask for ways to support them, or donate! These organizations give so much back to their communities with volunteering, town beautification projects, and more!

Society can actively promote and recognize artists and their work through exhibitions, festivals, awards, and public art installations. This exposure not only helps artists gain recognition but also encourages public engagement and appreciation of the arts. Public participation can be key to success for local artists – organizing art exhibitions, performances, workshops, and community art projects that invite involvement and dialogue really helps support us!

Supporting artists and creatives is an ongoing effort, and it requires a collective commitment from everyone to maintain an environment that values and celebrates the arts. Governments can develop cultural policies that prioritize the support and recognition of artists and creatives. Advocacy groups can also play a significant role in raising awareness and advocating for the needs and rights of artists within society.

Art and creativity are essential for the survival of societies. They stimulate our minds, enhance our understanding of the world, and provide us with stability and direction. It allows us to express ourselves, ask questions, address important issues, and record our history. It fosters imagination, allowing us to see new possibilities and connect with others. Creativity facilitates our growth and adaptation to change, which is significant for survival and prosperity. Artists and creatives are vital for societies to thrive and evolve.

And if you think you have nothing to contribute on an individual level, think again. If you can’t donate to an art nonprofit or advocacy group, visit and encourage others to visit local art shows and gallery receptions. Follow artists you like on social media. Like, comment, and share their posts. Help spread the word about festivals and workshops, or host your own!     

Contact Info:

• Website: www.RHFischerFineArt.com
• Instagram: @rachaelfischer
• Other: www.PerspectiveArtGallery.com