We were lucky to catch up with Rachel Reinert recently and have shared our conversation below.
Rachel, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?
Being an artist, specifically a fine artist – is inherently an isolated job. There’s always room for collaboration of course, but being a painter and illustrator means hours of alone time. Depending on the project I’m working on, there may be little or no input, so it’s a job without co-workers or accountability. I’ve found that I am definitely the happiest creating, and I do feel like I’ve found what I’m supposed to be and do with my life. However, it doesn’t mean it’s not hard or lonely sometimes! I often tell friends that it feels like I’m on a rollercoaster all the time. I’ll have big, exciting moments or make a big sale or release a new book which is amazing. And then other days I feel like I’m floating purposelessly, even if I have a plan or a project going, and then I’ll question everything. I’ve totally fantasized about what a “regular” job would feel like – with benefits, coworkers, working towards something as a group. But my corporate friends always talk me out of it and remind me that the grass is always greener. I think they are right, but since I have never worked in the corporate world, it’s hard for me to imagine it. At the end of the day, I am incredibly lucky and grateful to get to do the work I am doing, to get paid for it, and to even have my own studio. So I am happy!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m a fine artist and illustrator. I’ve illustrated three coloring books – Botanical Wonderland, Desert Wonderland, and Floral Wonderland which just released this spring. I also wrote and illustrated two drawing and coloring guides – Color Workshop (A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Artistic Effects), and In Bloom (A Step-by-Step Guide to Drawing Lush Florals). I’m super proud of the books! The books have been carried in Michael’s, Barnes and Noble, Joann’s, on Amazon and more. It’s the coolest thing to see people from all over the US and the world tag me with with colored pages, and to be a part of and foster a huge coloring community.
It’s that community that lead me to create an online master class for coloring as well! I never thought that coloring could bring so many people together and be so therapeutic. During the pandemic especially, it was really awesome to come together and I’d do a live color along with anyone who wanted to join. I’ve also done relaxing coloring parties with friends.
I started drawing the first coloring book when I was living in Australia, and was really influenced by the beautifully unique flora and fauna there. It kind of took off from there.
At the same time, I am also an abstract painter. I love working with acrylic on large canvasses, and am highly influenced by nature and my surroundings. I’ve been working on some recent collections that I’m really excited about. I recently moved to the PNW and I’ve been soaking up the beauty here – the lush forests, the misty coastlines and so much wildlife. I feel like I’ve really been able to elevate my work since moving here and getting my own art studio to work in. My goal with my paintings is to create something that you’d love to bring into your home – art that moves you, and reminds you of nature. Above all, I want my art to be a calming presence and a statement piece for any room.
You can find my art, info on my coloring books, and my master class at rachelreinert.com
Have you ever had to pivot?
Recently I was feeling really frustrated with what I was painting, and just feeling stuck. I had been doing acrylic pour painting for years and I was ready to move on to something else. I wanted to elevate my art more. I knew it was time to pivot, but I was so lost on how to do that and what I should do next. It was a stressful time to be in for me. I had a lot of rough weeks where I didn’t get anything done at all, or if I did, I hated it. I felt like I was wasting time and supplies, which is scary when you need to be making money. I was also really frustrated with social media and the algorithms – I wasn’t getting the same engagement and it was bothering me and I wasn’t selling as much either. I spent time looking at other jobs. After experimenting a bit, and totally changing up my technique, I started feeling excited about what I had started. I went back to the brush, which I hadn’t used in years. Creating brush strokes again and slowing down, working softly, with muted colors, felt so right. I took a huge leap and started a new collection called “A Change Within”, which I just released this spring. I also had my first art show in Portland, and the launch was a success. I just finished another collection and am releasing it today, called “Forests”, painted in the same way but with different inspiration. I’m really excited about where I’m headed with my art now and feel like I have a plan and purpose.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
Obviously, buy local! But there’s a lot more too: vote for people who will support the arts in schools, and educate yourself and your kids about how important art is for the world. Art is universal and can share powerful messages, or to spread love, awareness, or peace. I truly believe art can reach the unreachable. Get involved and take a pottery class, join a plein air painting group, learn photography, or do a watercolor workshop. Art can enrich everyone’s lives, whether it be creating it, buying it, viewing it, sharing it, or talking about it. Encourage kids to learn programming, and play video games instead of watching TV.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.rachelreinert.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/rachelreinertstudio
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RachelReinertStudio
Image Credits
Andrew Smith