There’s something in the light, ethereal imagery captured by artist Rachel Evans that invites both longtime art
enthusiasts and casual viewers to lean in closer to see what they might find. Tucked beneath layers of delicate brush strokes and deep, three-dimensional colors are familiar skylines, peaceful, dreamy landscapes, and scenes of fire and destruction, capturing an intriguing contradiction in the delicately crafted paintings.
A Savannah College of Art and Design graduate with an M.F.A. in Painting and an M.A. in Arts Administration, Rachel has centered her career around not only expressing herself as an artist, but using her gifts as a tool to teach others and celebrate communication, self-expression, and the importance of creative influence on the community through art. She has engaged with a variety of artists and organizations that have helped develop her as an artist, and says she feels it’s important to share her passion for artmaking with others, specifically those who may benefit from the therapeutic and restorative self-expression of it.
Feel like you’re walking in a dream yet? So do we! We caught up with Rachel to talk working at The Goat Farm, her year-long art challenge, and balancing a career with her studio practice.
CommonCreativ: Were you always interested in art? Was there a moment when you realized you were called to be an artist, or was it something you’ve always known?
Rachel Evans: I have always felt an inherent need for self-expression through creating visual art. I grew up in a creative household and artmaking has always been a part of my life. When I went to college I decided to study art and psychology at Auburn University, and continued my studies at SCAD.
CC: How did you develop your signature style?
RE: When earning an M.F.A. in painting at SCAD I experimented with different artmaking techniques, including sculpture, ceramics, textiles, printmaking and painting. I moved from Savannah to Atlanta after graduating and decided to focus my art practice with a personal challenge to paint the same subject matter for one year. I explored many different ideas, but realized that I find the most joy in landscape painting. Over the years my artwork has evolved, [but] my paintings are still influenced by nature and are currently focused on cloudscapes.
CC: Describe your aesthetic.
RE: My aesthetic borders on abstract. I would describe my paintings as expressionist. It’s important to me that my viewers can apply their personal interpretation to each piece of my artwork, similar to the game of interpreting a cloud in the sky. I like hearing what different individuals see in my works of art.
CC: What does your day look like as an artist?
RE: Balancing my career and studio practice can be challenging at times. I work at SCAD Atlanta by day, and dedicate night and weekend hours to my art. I primarily work from The Goat Farm, but also have a small easel set up at home so I can always paint.
CC: You’re a studio resident at The Goat Farm. How does being surrounded by that kind of creativity and passion influence you?
RE: I have been [at a Goat Farm studio] for several years. It’s a hidden gem, a restored cotton mill on Atlanta’s rapidly developing Westside. Being constantly surrounded by creatives is invigorating. One neighbor creates custom furniture and another is a fashion designer. The community is inspiring, encouraging and supportive. Also, it’s an operating farm! There are goats on-site, among other barnyard animals. My favorite are the free-range chickens; their presence adds a touch of whimsy to the place.
Rachel Evans
CC: What’s your creative process like?
RE: I am an intuitive painter and start every work of art without knowing what the final product will look like. I work both en plein air [in the open air] and from reference photos. Each painting can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months to create.
CC: Where do you find inspiration for your art?
RE: My art is inspired by my personal curiosity and often has more meaning than what initially meets the eye. For example, in my current Cloudscape and Implosion series, I’m exploring human engagement with the ephemeral. I’m intrigued by cloud-based computing and information storage. Painting is an ancient form of self-expression. As my personal engagement with technology increases, my drive to create something tangible increases also. While I embrace and explore our rapid technological advancements, it’s a personal balancing act.
CC: What’s been your favorite project so far?
RE: Recently I completed a mural at the Shops of Buckhead portraying the Buckhead skyline. This was a new experience for me, and is definitely a favorite project I have completed. Engaging with the public during painting was fun, passersby on the sidewalk had lots of questions about my art practice and subject matter. I hope more murals are in my future!
CC: Do you have a favorite artist or project in the Atlanta art scene?
RE: I’m a huge fan of arts accessibility to all. I admire the public art programs in Atlanta: Living Walls, Forward Warrior and Art on the Atlanta BeltLine to name a few. I’m also excited about the public art funded by the Mayor’s Office that’s coming to Atlanta in the near future.
CC: What do you think of Atlanta’s creative scene?
RE: Atlanta has a vibrant creative scene! It’s robust, but not too large to get lost. There are great museums and numerous organizations that are resources for artists.
CC: Where can we see your work? Do you have any exhibitions coming up?
RE: You can view my work in Atlanta at BrickworksGallery in Virginia-Highlands off of the BeltLine, I recently hosted a solo exhibition there. This fall, I’m excited to be featured as a Spotlight artist at I.D.E.A. Gallery in Chamblee. I also have work available online through SCAD Art Sales. The Goat Farm hosts an open studio in December — this is a fun opportunity to peek inside my creative space and see works in progress.
CC: What drives you to make art?
RE: Artmaking has been a part of my life since childhood. I am always seeking creative inspiration in my everyday interactions and activities. I make art because I love expressing myself visually through the color and texture of paint. I am delighted to create original paintings that can be shared and enjoyed by others.
You can see more of Rachel’s work on her portfolio site, Facebook, and Instagram.
