Born and raised in Maine, Rachel's early exposure to its natural beauty heavily influences her work. She studied at the Rhode Island School of Design, earning degrees in Fine Arts and Landscape Architecture. Her education enables her to seamlessly incorporate design elements like depth and color into her expressive style. Rachel approaches her art by exploring the composition and color palette, sketching small drafts to resolve potential issues before committing them to a large canvas. Her technique is characterized by delicate layering and atmospheric perspective, capturing the interplay of light, movement, and depth in her paintings. For Rachel, art transcends aesthetics; it is a dialogue with her environment, community, and inner self. Her work is a testament to her dedication to capturing the ephemeral beauty of the world around her, while also nurturing the creative spark in others, encouraging them to pursue their own passions. Since residing in Ocean Isle Beach, her art has earned her numerous accolades, including awards from the Brunswick Art Council (BAC), Waterway Art Association (WAA), and Franklin Square Gallery. She received the prestigious BAC 2024 Rusty Hughes Award and has claimed top prizes in various shows, such as the 2023 BAC Fall Show and the 2022 AAS Franklin Gallery Spring Show. In addition to her personal artistry, Rachel is passionate about teaching. She instructs painting at Brunswick Community College and the Sunset River Gallery in Calabash, sharing her expertise and nurturing creativity in others. Through her work, Rachel encourages others to pursue their creative journeys with passion and purpose.