Rachel Darnell
Explore an inspiring journey of reinvention, integration, and renewal as artist Rachel Darnell navigates major life changes and embraces the core of her creative identity.
In this episode of ArtStorming, we travel to the orchard house in Galisteo, New Mexico, to interview artist Rachel Darnell. Rachel shares her unique background, including her early years in Ecuador and her pursuit of a Judaic studies degree that led her to live and study in Israel. She discusses her artistic style and how utilizing oil and gold leaf represents the divinity within everyone. Her work is deeply influenced by Orthodox icons and the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi, which celebrates the beauty found in natural materials and their imperfections.
The conversation also explores Rachel's recent life shift following a move toward being single again, which has provided her with the quiet time and headspace necessary to focus more deeply on her painting. She reflects on the process of reworking herself alongside her art, often revisiting older pieces to infuse them with new perspectives gained from her current experiences. By balancing a career in real estate with her creative practice, Rachel manages the transition between her extroverted self in the professional world and the introverted, centering nature of her studio work. The episode concludes with Rachel's appreciation for the natural beauty of Galisteo, where her interactions with local wildlife and her garden serve as a vital source of creative replenishment.
