We were lucky to catch up with Rachel Popowcer recently and have shared our conversation below.

Rachel, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I think that early on, as young as 6 years old, making art was a way for me to connect with people. I learned quickly that there was an interest in what I was doing artistically, and that interest (especially from my peers), dovetailed well into my own love of creating; spurring me on to learn more and to improve.

I always took art classes in grade school/high school. I majored in Art Studio (Painting and Drawing) in undergrad at Carnegie-Mellon University, and then went on to get my MFA (with a concentration in Painting) at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. Being in higher education classes was extremely helpful because it provided me with a community of artists and teachers, both to support my goals and to challenge my ideas.

I learned to be the artist that I am now through a lot of trial and error (with materials, techniques, and imagery), a strong perseverance around making my work, and an ability to pivot and be resilient when things didn’t go my way.

Looking back, I think that I could have sped up my learning process by taking more risks early on, and by being more open to approaching people for help.
It’s important to interact as much as possible with opportunities around you, and to look for ways to learn and grow as an artist.

The skills that have been most essential in my career have been a willingness to learn from mistakes and a strong desire to communicate my ideas, which often leads me to try out new materials and techniques. I’m very detail oriented as well, and that combined with my artistic intuition, has informed much of my work.

I can sometimes be fearful, as many artists are, and I often must stop and breathe when I feel anxious about what I’m making or how it will be received. I remind myself to not be precious or stubborn around my work and that change is where creativity lives, and transformation is possible.

Moving forward, in addition to being an artist and teaching Art Studio college classes, I’m pursuing an MA in Counseling with a focus on Clinical Mental Health.
I feel that my early goals have come full circle. I’m an artist who shows and sells my work, I teach college art classes and have the privilege of guiding students towards their best potential, and I’m working towards becoming a licensed therapist.
It all comes back to connection. That, combined with my love for art making, is what creates meaning and joy in my life. I always keep learning.

Rachel, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Rachel Popowcer and I’m a Mixed Media Oil Painter and Photographer.
I initially thought that I wanted to be a Graphic Designer in college, and quickly realized that I was more interested in Painting. There’s something about the immediacy of the medium that I love, and I also prefer to work from my own ideas, as opposed to being told (somewhat) what to create.
I’m very interested in connection and visual narrative, and I enjoy showing and selling my art. I think that the greatest joy comes from someone choosing to live with my work.

What sets me apart from others is possibly my determination. I never stop making art and I never consider anything too big of a mistake. I’m constantly learning and evolving, and I see obstacles as challenges to test myself.
I’m proud of my work ethic and my integrity as an artist. I’m good with deadlines and I try to do my best in every artistic endeavor. This doesn’t mean that I don’t mess up, but when I do, I try to clean up my mistakes with the best of intention.

In my paintings and photographs, I seek to translate life events that are difficult or unexplainable or even mundane. I see my photography as a companion to my paintings, and my obsessive documentation often informs that work.
I’m inspired by the colors and forms in nature, as well as the complexity inherent in our shared experiences.

I’m interested in the interpretations that people find in the exploration of my work, and less about directing their specific experience.
Incorporating imagery that may include nature, silhouettes, my original photographs, text, and patterns, I’m creating a space where symbolic language can elevate my pieces from the personal to the universal.

My art can sometimes be found in galleries (such as the wonderful Lapis Room in Old Town), I really enjoy participating in and selling work through the Public Art Program, I do commissions in painting and photography, and you can see more of my artwork through my website (www.rachelpopowcer.com) and social media (IG@rachelpopowcerart).

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I think that it’s important to remember as an artist that you are the most important voice in your own journey.
I’ve taken countless art classes, at all levels, and I’ve taught more classes than I can remember.
We’ve all had teachers or peers that were helpful and supportive, and those that were not (and there’s a difference between a challenging teacher and one who just shuts you down).
We all also have people that we work better with than others. That’s just part of being human and finding our way.
I can think of a few experiences in grade school and grad school, where I felt frustrated, not valued, or underestimated.
Sometimes it was because the teacher wasn’t a good fit, and sometimes it was because I had lessons to learn.
I remember crying after a particularly brutal second review in grad school, and having a professor ask if I should possibly take a break from classes.
I felt so strongly that I wanted to stay and work harder and create stronger work, and I spent the entire summer doing that. Both faculty members who had been in that difficult review came back my second year and commended me on my artwork.
It taught me to never give up. Resilience is your best skill as an artist. There will always be rejection, there will always be more things to learn. If you can continue to show up and do the work, the internal rewards, especially, are immense.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

The goal and mission that drives my creative journey is to create work with integrity and authenticity, and to connect with people in a way that leaves them feeling introspective and inspired.
I don’t expect that people look at my work and understand immediately my intention or what I was thinking as I was creating; I more want to begin a dialogue that allows for interpretation and understanding.
Much of my art deals with issues around chaos and control, and personal experiences that have helped to shape how I view the world. I take these experiences and utilize them in order to better relate to universal themes that connect us all.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.rachelpopowcer.com
• Instagram: @rachelpopowcerart

Image Credits

Photo of me: Christina Kennedy