August 2025

…Professionals just get to work.

Inspiration is for Amateurs; Professionals just get to work. I first heard this saying at the very beginning of my career as I sat in a lecture given by successful artist Melinda Hannigan.

Melinda was older, and in her second career, having retired from the first, and was showing and selling her work in galleries and museums. She told the story of how she rented a studio and immersed herself in her chosen second career— all before laying paint to the canvas, let alone before selling a painting. She immersed herself in the art world, read art magazines, experimented with art supplies, took classes, and kept full-time hours, dedicating herself to the business of becoming an artist. She believed in herself and invested in herself, in both time and money. And it paid off. I was enthralled.

As a young (read: “new,” since I was 38 years old) wannabe artist, having taken a couple of oil painting workshops and fallen in the deep end, I was scrambling to find my way in this nebulous thing called being an artist. I felt behind the eight ball and was desperate to find my voice and be successful. When those words came out of Melinda’s mouth, I found my north star.

I was mid-career in finance and parenting a newborn plus my then-husband’s four children. I didn’t have the funds to rent a studio and leaving my day job at that point was not an option. Nevertheless, I was determined to be an artist. So I got to work.

I worked in my kitchen while my daughter was napping. I left her with her father for a couple hours to snag some plein air time, or took her with me. I joined a couple of painting groups. There was no waiting for inspiration; I utilized the time and opportunities to paint. I applied to shows and galleries. I pursued both the business and creative sides to being an artist. It took grit, sweat, and some tears.

Twenty years on, it remains true: When I get to Work, Inspiration finds me.

What is it you want to accomplish, or be? Are you waiting to be inspired?

Wishing you every success,

Rachel (freshly inspired and paying it forward)

p.s. The way I remember Melinda quoting this saying is slightly different than the person she credited, Chuck Close. But I cling to my version. If you want to go down the rabbit hole on this, here’s a good place to start: https://quoteinvestigator.com/2022/08/28/inspiration/

p.p.s. All of the painting titles in this edition are from poems by Erin Hanson, who is an Australian poet I stumbled on and is my current favorite. Scroll to the end for a beautiful one called “Not.” She doesn’t have a website proper, but you can find her on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thepoeticunderground

In the Studio:

Collector Corner

SHOW SCHEDULE

AUGUST

22-24: Art in the High Desert, Riverbend Park, Bend, OR. This is an ART show, put on by ARTISTS, for ART LOVERS. :)  All the info here. Booth 400/401.

30-Sep 1: Art in the Pearl, Park Blocks, Portland, OR. The sister show to Art in the High Desert. I love when I get into both! Another all-about-the-art show. Details here. Booth S92.

SEPTEMBER

5-7: Art in the Park, Julia Davis Park, Boise, ID. 10-8pm Friday/Saturday, 10-5pm Sunday. This show is starting to be a regular for me. :) More info here. Booth 259/260.

12-14: Salem Art Fair, Bush's Pasture Park, Salem, OR. 10-7pm Friday/Saturday, 10-5pm Sunday. This show usually happens in July, but due to being moved out from under the trees, they have changed it to September. We'll see how it goes! This is historically one of my favorite shows. Here's the show's website for more info! Booth TBD.

Please patronize these galleries:
Art on Oak, & Stave & Stone Winery in Hood River; PAM's Rental Sales Gallery in Portland. Check them out! 

Not

You are not your age,
Nor the size of clothes you wear,
You are not a weight,
Or the colour of your hair.
You are not your name,
Or the dimples in your cheeks,
You are all the books you read,
And all the words you speak,
You are your croaky morning voice,
And the smiles you try to hide,
You’re the sweetness in your laughter,
And every tear you’ve cried,
You’re the songs you sing so loudly,
When you know you’re all alone,
You’re the places that you’ve been to,
And the one that you call home,
You’re the things that you believe in,
And the people that you love,
You’re the photos in your bedroom,
And the future you dream of,
You’re made of so much beauty,
But it seems that you forgot,
When you decided that you were defined,
By all the things you’re not.

-Erin Hanson

ABOUT MY NEWSLETTER

New pieces, works in progress, notifications of art shows and other happenings, insights into my artistic process and always, some philosophical ramblings thrown in for free. Unlike myself, my art has no façade, no pretense, no anxiety, no insecurity. My work is always, and completely, reverent, sincere, earnest, transparent. It represents me at my best.