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

Rebecca, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.

Both of my parents are extraordinary artists who have instilled in me a love for art and music, kindness toward myself and others, and a strong drive and work ethic. I am grateful to say that they have always had an unfaltering belief in me and my dreams.

My dad is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger and educator who took me with him to concert gigs, and into orchestra pits at so many musicals throughout my childhood. He taught me songs on the guitar and piano—mostly Bach Preludes and Mozart Sonatas, and I learned them quickly and easily because he made it fun. I remember once at age 12 coming home from a week at my dad’s and completely shocking my mom with a very speedy and accurate performance of Mozart’s Turkish March. That’s the kind of teacher my dad is—kind, patient and fun, and that’s the kind of teacher I try to be for my students. I like to look at education as something ongoing and full of curiosity and joy and that is in large part thanks to my dad.

My mom began her artistic career in film and theatre, even writing an entire country western musical in her 20’s. She ended up settling down in San Bernardino and buying Henry’s Flowers, the shop where I grew up. While building her skills as a floral artist, she continued dancing and often performed with the adults in Looking Glass Studio’s annual recitals. Throughout my teen years, we attended Victorian balls together in gowns that we had made ourselves from original Victorian patterns. Every weekend we went tango dancing together in sexy, sparkly tango dresses that we made from the beautiful fabrics we found in L.A.’s garment district. After experiencing a very difficult illness and closing her flower shop, my mom took up writing seriously again, and then glassblowing, then painting. She is now completing her incredible memoir and working as a visual artist in many different mediums. My mom is incredibly talented in numerous ways, and she has always taught me to value talent as an important gift. But what I’ve learned more than anything from her is how to follow my heart as it leads me through various evolutions of my life and career. I have watched her fail, succeed, experiment, learn, and continuously come back to what is calling her.

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

I’m a California girl and a landscape oil painter. For ten years now I have studied and practiced “plein air” or outdoor painting and I’ve had the pleasure of painting endless beautiful sites in California and beyond.

Before I began painting seriously, I worked beginning at age 16 as a professional ballroom and tango dancer. I adored dance throughout my life and could think of nothing else that I would ever want to do…until I hit 30 and felt an extreme burnout. At that point, I closed my dance studio and began looking for the next big thing. The inspiration came from my mom one day as I was complaining that nothing would ever be able to replace dance in my life. She said, “Go get a set of oil paints and start painting again.” So I did, and I haven’t stopped in over a decade.

This year is sure to be transformational for my work, as I am heading down an intentional path toward expressionism. Up to this point, I have studied the technicalities of plein air and oil painting, doing my best to absorb the work of the masters, the education from my instructors, and to learn everything possible about the elements of art. These are things I will never stop learning and improving on—skills that I will take with me into the next step of my journey.

This journey involves blending the technicality and skill of creating a painting with the experience of the present moment and the expression of things unseen in myself and in the landscape. I am greatly inspired by Swedish painter Hilma Af Klint, who channeled the most incredible spiritual paintings, and Canadian painter Emily Carr, who painted the “spirit” of the landscape. So as I continue to study with master painters to learn their techniques, I am also beginning a study of spiritual creative practices. Currently, I’m taking a course in mediumship and sacred ritual with two grandmothers who live in the middle of the Amazon rainforest. I am learning to clear my chakras, to breathe and listen to nature, and to open myself so that I may create with freedom and expression. I don’t know what this year has in store for me, but I have a feeling that my work and life will transform once again into something completely new.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

There are lots of ways to support artists! Buying art is a given, and if you think you can’t afford it, ask the artist if they will take an offer or monthly installments. My website is hosted by Faso, who recently added a “make an offer” button next to the “add to cart” button. It might take a bit of budgeting, but prioritize your investment in the creative endeavors of your local artists and arts education programs. As we are enlightened about the multi-faceted world of art, our minds expand and our hearts open. Art helps us to understand ourselves and each other and to approach the world with curiosity rather than judgment. We can return to a thriving creative ecosystem as more individuals are taught to value artistic expression.

For those who are unable to purchase art or give to arts education, your support means more than you know. You can follow us on social media, like and comment, share our stuff, favorite our Etsy shops, sign up for our newsletters and stay in conversation with us. I think of my fans and followers as my friends because we are there every day cheering each other on.

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

The biggest goal in my life has always been to spend my days doing things I love to do. Every job I took that didn’t revolve around my passion made me miserable, so I’ve been destined to find any way I can to do my own thing. At this point in my life it’s not just painting that excites me—if had to paint illustrations for someone else all day, I would quit. What excites me is the journey of growth and evolution that I get to experience by going my own way and carving my own path. Above all, I value the freedom I feel each morning knowing I get to do what lights me up. And when I come out of my shell and start to watch the world react to my work, the beauty of the experience comes full circle. When people see the work created in that moment, they can somehow be there with me as I painted it. Or it takes them to another place and time or reminds them of a lost loved one. I value the freedom and expression of art for my own life, but I am equally grateful for the impact that the work has on the lives of others.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.RNoelle.com
• Instagram: @divine_punk
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rnoellepainter
• Linkedin: Rebecca Noelle
• Youtube: @divine_punk
• Other: TikTok @rebeccanoellepainter

Image Credits
Photo 1 by Bill Protzmann. Painting photos by Rebecca Noelle.