On Being Vulnerable

I was talking with my mom yesterday about how I need to blog more. I am reluctant. Is there only so much of myself that I can put out there or should I be an open book?
As a painter, I put my images on Facebook, often times before they are done, for everyone I know to see. Then I immediately regret it. Then I get feedback, which is usually helpful. I make adjustments, and re-post. Then I regret it. No matter what the response it, I want to take it down. Sometimes I do.
The most recent painting I posted was a self portrait. This kind of painting (for me) is probably the most difficult thing to do. Not only is it tricky to really "see" myself and make a painting that has a remote likeness and personality and aliveness, but it could possibly be the essence of vulnerability. I have the urge to share it with the world and a nagging inner voice to hide it away forever. I suppose it's how I generally feel in the world. Notice me! Stop looking at me!
Turns out I care way too much what everyone thinks. Who knew?!
Blogging is just another avenue of being vulnerable. I will try to keep it up, you know, to push my "comfort zone", or whatever.

It's taking everything in me to not delete all of this.
Anywho, this:

Summer Art Market provides a relaxed environment where you can purchase original art from emerging to professional local artists. With art from classic to contemporary in a range of media, you're sure to find something you love.
Come visit me in Booth 118 to see new paintings and some great bargains as well.

New Paintings

Ever since my "art wife" Kirsten Savage and I have decided to kick it up a notch with our art, things have actually been getting accomplished. Starting with our amazing workshop with Jeremy Lipking in California, I decided it was time to become a real artist and stop messing around once and for all. I know, famous last words that I think I may have uttered ten years ago. This time I am serious. So, for my accomplishments for far, I have finally been juried in as an Oil Painters of America member, submitted to three shows including the Summer Art Market, and have started painting in a classroom setting again. Oh yeah and I signed up for a Career Counseling for Artists class. Not to mention I have actually been painting! So here are some of the newbies to my collection. I also have a few unfinished portraits haunting my studio at the moment. I will be working on said portraits today, and post shortly.

Posting in my blog is like writing in my journal. I am always amazed at how long ago my last entry was. As always, there is a lot to catch up on and I don't know where to start. I suppose I should begin with when I stopped painting and started crafting. I always thought crafting was for the talentless and unemployed. Turns out, I was half wrong. It takes tons of talent to make crafts look arty and not like a blob of shit. And, while I am technically unemployed I am definitely busy making sure my two year old boy doesn't kill the cat, wander into traffic or swallow magnets. I am also working on our family business (www.SecretCompassCollectibles.com) and organizing our Bed and Breakfast/Wedding venue (www.OhanaValley.com). phew, I am exhausted just writing that.
So during kiddo's nap time, I have discovered how much crafting is really possible.
I started with decorating and painting desks. My first desk was a cute little secretary desk with a writer's theme. I gave this desk away to a friend and forgot to get pictures of it. Typical.

My second project was bath products. Bath bombs shaped like cupcakes and sugar scrubs. I made some money at it at a fair and then sort of lost my passion for it. Unless someone makes an order on Etsy (http://www.etsy.com/shop/RachelsArt) hint hint.

My third adventure has been refurbishing lighting into awesome chandeliers. These turned out to be way more tedious than I first anticipated. However, the transformation is really cool. I like them. The hardest part seems to be taking a decent picture of them. So once I do, I will edit this and add it in. This is the draft/beginning stages of the one I am finished with now. I will post a finished pic soon.
This was the first draft

Final Product:

So all this crafting has inspired me to paint again, somewhat. My newest painting is this "Showgirl" and can now be purchased at Etsy HERE. This is all for now my friends. Take care and write soon.

Vintage Wallpaper = Obsession

I found some vintage wallpaper and have been obsessed. I am making paintings on them, wrapping outlets with them and pasting them on everything I can find. Here are my newest creations. I am going to start an Etsy shop with the outlet covers. Stay tuned for that announcement. Until then, I will be getting my fingers sticky with glue.

A Bird in Two Hands
I'm Horny.

Where's my Peeps?

I will be participating in the Summer Art Market in Denver this weekend! Come by and visit me in BOOTH #3.

Below is a special sneak preview of some of the work I will have at the show:

Spring

In anticipation of spring, I painted this little number. I believe I already have a buyer for the original, but I will be making prints if you are interested in having a bit o spring in your home. Stay tuned as I will be painting more of these spring themed gems!

Love thy Barber

Painting in progress for an upcoming show called Love thy Barber at Scissors and Sinners barbershop. The show is on Saturday Jan. 30.
112 East Laurel.
I would love to see you there. You can see this painting in it's final stage and other artwork by
Lou DeAngelis, Mike Gallegos, Gus Espinoza, Ben Merrell, Zeke Derderian, Erick Erickson, Diego Griego, Curtis Burgess, Phil Guzy, Tattoo John, Ken Burgess, and George Menning.

I was given this history of the barber and based this painting on the following:
The barbers of former times were also surgeons and dentists. In addition to hair cutting, hairdressing, and shaving, barbers performed surgery, bloodletting and leeching, fire cupping, enemas, and the extraction of teeth. Thus they were called barber surgeons, and they formed their first organization in 1094. The barber pole red and white in spiral indicated the two crafts, surgery in red and barbering in white. The barber was paid higher than the surgeon until surgeons were entered into British war ships during its many naval wars. Some of the duties of the barber included neck manipulation, cleaning of ears and scalp, draining of boils, fistula and lancing of cysts with wicks.

History of the Barber Pole

The modern barber pole originated in the days when bloodletting was one of the principal duties of the barber. The two spiral ribbons painted around the pole represent the two long bandages, one twisted around the arm before bleeding and the other used to bind is afterward. Originally, when not in use, the pole with a bandage wound around it, so that both might be together when needed, was hung at the door as a sign. But later, for convenience, instead of hanging out the original pole, another one was painted in imitation of it and given a permanent place on the outside of the shop. This was the beginning of the modern barber pole.

Plantings and Pansies

My newest painting has taken way longer than expected, but with acceptable results. I started this painting at the beginning of the planting season and now my plants are not seedlings anymore. Oh, they grow up so fast. I wanted to do a piece that had importance to me. Planting those first basil and tomato plants of the year is such an exciting time for my family. It's a new beginning and a chance to nurture the soil and ourselves.
Since I have moved to my studio at home, I have lost my the important gift of critiques from my peers. Please send me any thoughts, critiques, etc that you have. I need this.

Drat, Foiled Again.

So my camera has grown legs and walked away. I think it formed an alliance with my Sigg water bottle, baby Ben's socks, and my phone charger. I have reason to believe they are all on a protest march to demonstrate how I can't have nice things.
However, I need my camera in order to take pictures of my artwork, update my website, and share with the world wide web. (Not to mention chronicle baby Ben's life.)
In an effort to replace my camera, I am offering up my lovely prints for your purchasing pleasure. All purchases will go towards a digital camera so that I can once again share the fruits of my labor with you. Prints are available for as low as $5, $10, none are over $75.
Please visit Rachel's Limited Edition Prints
Much love and respect,
Rachel Herrera

I want your advice!

I have taken an old sketch painting and have expanded on it. I needed a canvas and didn't want to buy a new one, so I used this old painting as a starting off point. I need some advice on how to go forward. What looks strange? Should I leave some of the sketchy underpainting showing? What do you all think?

Before:




After:

Sale on Prints

I am having a sale on my prints! I have marked down some of them to 5 or 15 dollars. New images have also been added!!

Check out this one (perfect for Mother's day) for only $15!:

This one is now available as well for $25:

You can purchase online here: RACHEL'S STORE

Art Nouveau?

This is the progression of a painting that I have been working on. I am especially concerned with the style of the painting. I wanted it to have an art nouveau feel. Her expression and hairdo have been the most dramatic changes since the beginning. I am not quite finished yet, but will post the finished product soon!

My very own Online Print Store!

On the suggestion from my friend Byan Collins, I set up an online print store. Now it is soo very convenient for you to order prints! How exciting! I have prints from $5.
Check it out:

Fine and Funky

It's here again. Another holiday shopping season. I am sitting in my studio with many prints to be sold. Come by throughout the week to take a peek.
Also, December 5 and 6 is the annual "Fine and Funky" art and craft fair at the Opera Galleria, 123 North College Avenue Fort Collins, Co 80521. Times: Friday December 5 from 5-9 -Saturday December 6 from 10:00 -6:00.

I will be there sharing a booth with Kirsten Savage. Our booth will showcase fine artwork originals, prints, as well as knitted items by the White Sisters. (That's their maiden names) It's gonna be epic.
Some new and affordable prints will be available:

Gallery Underground Studio

Last November the Gallery Underground opened their doors to an excited crowd of art lovers who were looking for something different. The crowds have grown tremendously over the past year and the support is appreciated.

New art from Stephani Rossi, Bart Mills, Greth Ligon, and Amanda Marie as well as art from the nine resident artists. Including yours truly.

I will be taking orders for limited edition prints at a really super duper discount price for the holidays. Come visit me and make your order.

Come out and enjoy the great original art that Fort Collins has to offer.

Friday, November 7th 6-10 pm

Now that I am done with my day job, it's time to get back to work painting. I have spent the last year and a half promoting other people's events, shows, etc. Now I can start working on my own promotion again! Hooray!
Although, it feels a little like graduating highschool, with everyone asking me, "So what are you going to do now?" and "When is your baby due again?" It feels like the pressure is on to produce and create something other than a baby somehow. So it's off to "college" for this gal.

I have a house to finish, a painting career to get back on track, and a baby to prepare for. I hope I get all A's.
In the meantime, I actually have done a little painting. The baby feet are obviously not my baby's feet. He's not even out yet. But there is nothing cuter in the world than baby feet, except for baby seals. Nothing will ever win out on baby seals.

This painting (along with others that can be seen here: www.rachelpaintings.com) will be for sale at A benefit for patient services at McKee Medical Center called Evergreen Evening, Loveland’s black-tie event of the season that will be held Sat. Nov. 1, at the Hilton Fort Collins.
All of the ticket sales and sponsorship contributions support the Banner Simulation Center at McKee Medical Center.

Evergreen Evening Information

Newest paintings

These are my most recent works.

The architectural painting is of a museum in Germany. It used to be a villa for a flamboyant Bavarian art lover.
It overlooks vineyards that go on for miles.

I have always wanted to paint elephants. They have always signified family and bonding for me. I painted this one month before I found out that I was pregnant! It's kind of a special little piece.

July update

Join us under the Big Top on Sunday, August 31, 2008 for the 13th Annual Richard Schmid Fine Art Auction.

This is the painting that I will have in the auction! It is called, "I Quit!" and is 16"x20". Gallery price is $1000.
Come and bid and maybe you will get the deal of the year!

This year Richard and his wife, Nancy will be attending and it is always a rockin time.

My painting has not been posted to the site yet, but they will get to it soon. Remember, you can bid online too! Online bids will be accepted through Friday, August 28, 2008.

click here to see the auction's full website