Meet Rachel Dinwiddie, our College Portfolio student

Rachel Dinwiddie is one of our College Portfolio Students that has blossomed into an audacious artist. When Rachel first came to our studio, she comfortable with small paintings - her largest piece was the size of a sheet of paper. If you know anything about our studio, it's that we push artists out of their comfort zone. So, as we do with all of our artists, we told her to go bigger. The shift didn't happen immediately but when it did, Rachel began painting pieces that rose above everyone's heads. After a few pieces, Rachel was able to paint huge paintings, lighting fast. Guess how long it takes Rachel to complete a 10 foot painting. About an hour and a half. You may be feeling a sense of disbelief, but not to worry, it happens to all of us. Rachel claims it her short attention span, we claim it's her new sense of artistic self.

Rachel's newest series was around mixed media; she painted over clothes that were cut up and glued onto the canvas. "Matter cannot be created or destroyed. It can only be changed from one form to another." Her conceptual idea behind the pieces made the pieces all the more impressive.

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One day, Rachel came to the studio with an ultimatum - start selling art or study at a university. With this in mind, Rachel submitted her work to a contest Scholastic hosted. She submitted to a number of contents and won so many awards, Olya Losina, her instructor and mentor, was given an award. Rachel's work went onto the National Competition and won a Silver Metal.

Rachel has evolved into a grandiose artist - unafraid and confident. When we spoke about her dramatic and rapid development as a professional artist, "I owe it all to you guys - this place has become my second home." Although we did give Rachel the support and encouragement she needed to burst into the art world, it was Rachel that took the jump.

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Also check out Rachel's Instagram and Her Website: Rachel Dinwiddie Contemporary Art