Rachel’s Whimsical Art Newsletter - January 2020

“Be a rainbow, in someone else’s cloud.” —Maya Angelou

Happy New Year’s to everyone! We’re now in a new century of 2020 and I can hardly believe it. So many things have happened in my life, as both an artist, and an art teacher in the past ten years. I’m so very thankful to have such a supportive network of family, friends, galleries, local business’, art students, parents, and schools. I could never have gotten this far, without all of YOU!

December’s holidays were full of warm wishes, laughter, delicious food, & sharing of good times. I was lucky to have been chosen as an artist to do a commissioned art of a Mother, Daughter Koi Fish painting for a dear friend and her mom. They even shared photos of the opening of the gift on Christmas. It was such a treat to see them all full of joy from my art.
Later in the month, I’ll be nailing down all the fine details for the upcoming Summer Kids Art Camp. It will be at the same location as last summer, at the Unique Technique Dance Studio. Be sure to keep checking for it on social media, (Rachel’s Whimsical Art), email, and this monthly newsletter.

Are you buying local? Then, you can go see my Etsy Shop (and come into my shared studio – Imagine It Now, this Friday, Jan. 3rd Art Walk, 301 W Holly St D-5, Bellingham, WA - details of Etsy are below.), for art prints, cards, & glowing earrings: https://www.etsy.com/shop/RachelsWhimsicalArts

Franklin Academy - Art!

The second semester of art classes are about to happen later this month, and I’m thrilled to be able to teach most of these students year-round. So far, they’ve done such a fantastic job creating art in both 2/D (like Monet style paintings, drawing self-portraits, & painting animals), and the hand-building of ceramics in 3/D sculpture. We’ll be glazing their Wild Creatures soap dishes next week, so after they’re finished and out of the kiln, you know that I’ll be taking photos to share.

Wait, there’s more! The upcoming semester will be exciting in many ways, because I’ll be managing and teaching an art school mural project at the school. This will be my 2nd mural and I couldn’t be happier with the prospect.

Winter Art Shows

The winter months are a bit quieter for me with art shows, aside from the art walk in my shared studio – Imagine It Now. There is an Annual Members Show that I’ll be joining at Allied Arts Gallery for February 7th as a part of the Downtown Art Walk. In addition, I’ll be focusing on prepping for the spring annual RARE show (Recycled Art and Resource Expo), in at Allied Arts of Whatcom County.

Lately, I’ve been working on larger pieces that are a combination of recycled wood, collaboration, & electrified by an artist friend – Suzzannah Gusukuma – Lightning Tree Designs, and using my pointalism technique for UV-light reactive painting of marine life and mammals. We’ll see where this takes me in my journey of art!

Art Education & More!

Along with teaching middle school art at Franklin Academy, I also teach art education K-12 at a few different elementary schools, for after school enrichment programs in Whatcom County, and the Bellingham School District as an independent contractor, as well as do fun summer art camps, private art lessons, parties/events, private lessons, present and teach at museums/galleries, and a Teaching Artist/Board Member with Allied Arts of Whatcom County. This non-profit is one that brings the arts to many kids throughout the schools, and I’m so thankful I can be a part of it and this community.

Additionally,  you can find out more about all the fun art events, my art work, commissions, art exhibits, and art classes on my website and Instagram/Facebook pages: Rachel’s Whimsical Art.

Thank you for all your enthusiasm for The Arts and keeping it alive within our community!
~ Rachel Simpson
~ Artist, Art Teacher, (K-12)