Whisper of the distant past:

WOW! What fun it's been to reconnect with friends! As the enewsletter mailing list grows, I've been getting some very cool feedback. Thank you to those of you who've sent along your "way to go's" regarding the website, newsletter and the paintings!

Rachel Dickson here...and welcome to another installment of many to come where I hope to provide useful (mixed with fun of course) artsy related information that you can use...as well as keep you in the know about my upcoming art related projects.

Spring is in the air! Time to mow the grass again, and plant the garden...and paint, paint, paint.  I hope you enjoy the ride!

Happiness,

Rachel
 

Check out Rachel's NEW, COOL friends, Page:

I don't think we give enough credit to where credit is due sometimes. Nor do I think it really cool that most accolades aren't given until AFTER those who've inspired us or left an impression on us one-way-or-another are gone. With that in mind, I've created a page on my website where I've begun listing some of those people. Titled "Cool Friends", it's on that page (obviously an evolving project) that I begin to tell their stories.

Click here to view Rachel's COOL Friends online.

Fresh from the Art Studio:

Introducing original mini-paintings, abstract on wood! If you are an avid art collector OR if you've been an art lover and have yet to start your personal collection, these little minis are perfect! Seven inches by seven inches?  Five inches by five inches? We all have space in our homes or office for a painting to fit that size.  Which is why I opted to paint small.  Affordable too!

To get a closer look, simply click on any of the images below.
 

Art in the News:

We all know that most news is not very uplifting or inspiring. Which is why I've decided to add a new section to http://www.racheldickson.com called "Art in the News."

Art just isn't covered enough in the mainstream media. Artists are ALWAYS doing COOL stuff...and I think it warrants public mention.  

So take some time to check this out...click here.

Why the heck did you name that "Arbor?":

The word "aboretum" being the original Latin word for a place where trees are cultivated for special purposes, like scientific study...yet not the greatest word to title a painting. However, related to the word "aboretum" is "arbor" (meaning shady place with sides and roof formed by trees or shrubs) which is what I chose to name this painting.

This painting is still available for purchase!
Click here to view "Arbor" on the online gallery.

Not only is this painting painted onto a part of a tree...but it also represents a sort of flowing between and hedged giving a safe feeling. I love not only how the abstraction of color came out in this piece...but also how the wood itself perfectly frames it in.

Worried about not having enough wall space to add this to your collection? NOT TO WORRY! It's a mini-abstract original measuring only 5.5 inches wide by 4.5 inches tall...AND the BEST part???? It's affordable! With shipping it's less than $36 dollars. YEP!

Purchase "Arbor" for your own collection or give as a gift.

What's on Rachel's Bookshelf?:.

I LOVE to read!  But yes, I know, not everyone does.  So if you don't give two rips around reading...skip this section.  Otherwise, read on!

Just something about the written word!  Check 'em out.

Got a book you like? Tell me about it!

Check out Rachel's Art Store on Etsy:

Have you ever heard of Etsy.com? I hadn't until I purchased some custom made jewelry from robandlean's etsy shop on this AMAZING online marketplace! Self-proclaimed as "the world's handmade marketplace" Etsy.com is truly a marketplace chocked FULL of handmade original goods!  You'll find everything on Etsy.com from paintings, to jewelry, to glass, to furniture, to everything in between!

Click here to shop online at Rachel's Art Store on Etsy.

The Daily Blog:

This quote is prominently displayed near my desk as a reminder to not be a whiner about what I don't have and to embrace what I currently DO have to work with.

The Daily Blog is full of such personal inspirations and aspirations. You will find daily musings, adventure recaps, talk about personal thought topics and much more at Rachel's blog. Certainly the most comprehensive place online that you'll find the goings-on with Rachel.

Go, Do, BE!

Earth as Art:

The U.S. Geological Survey Center for Earth Resources Observation and Science took a series of land remote sensing images using the Landsat 7 earth observing sattelite and then posted them for the public to view in an online gallery called "Earth As Art."
Click here to view Earth as Art image gallery from USGS.

(See paintings titled: "Over, Under, Through", "Static Cling", and "The Coming Together of Trees") Click here to view Earth as Art inspired paintings by Rachel.

Nature inspired artwork isn't anything new.  But I myself have been so moved by the vividness of the colors in these images of earth...I just HAD to create with a similar color pallette. As an avid outdoor lover, this seemed to me to be the perfect inspiration!  I hope you enjoy these paintings as much as I am creating them!

Email your comments to:
rachel at racheldickson.com

Graduation is Right Around the Corner
Give the Gift of ART:

We all know there are many special dates, holidays, occasions and reasons to give gifts. And Graduation is right around the corner. But how many times have we received a gift that felt empty or simply obligatory? So why give a gift that implies obligatory?  Make it special...give ART!

CLASS of 2012 Art!

As that young person you know is celebrating the beginning of a new era in their life...why not give them something that they will cherish for the rest of their life? Give ART!

Click here to select your graduating senior's art gift.

Artists that I LIKE!:

Ok, you gotta admit...THIS is a VERY COOL idea! (and as a sidebar, if you know about the law of attraction...this takes the cake!)  Christine and Justin Gignac are a married couple who paint what they want or need. The price of the painting is depicted by what item it is they want or need.  The image to the right titled "Cooking Lessons" sold for $220 and did just that...provided them with cooking lessons. They even paint to donate to charity!

Christine and Justin have gotten some stellar media coverage outta this simple yet brilliant concept by notables such as the New York Times Magazine, BoingBoing, The Independent and many more!

Click here to view wantsforsale.com.

Talk, Tell, Rumor, Spread the Word:

Pass this link along to your friends:
http://www.racheldickson.com/rachel_dickson_newsletter_art_lovers_april2012.htm

Then if they like what they see, all they have to do is enter their name and email address into the box below and they'll receive a copy of this same enewsletter.

This is an opt-in list, they may unsubscribe at any time.

And THANK YOU in advance for spreading the word!

Do You...Facebook?:

Click here to "LIKE" Rachel's artist page on Facebook

Summary:

Well that seems to be about it for now...hope it was informative and fun for you! I gotta get back to the studio. Lots of new paintings in the works!

Please note here...that one of my goals in publishing this enewsletter is simply to inspire you to become your best self! I fall prey to life's distractions and have to work at letting my own creativity flow.

I am amazed at how what I do has affected so many others. I can only hope that by my simply being me...this inspires you to do the same.  Just BE!  Be your best self. The rest generally comes much easier after that.

Happiness,

Rachel

Questions? Comments? Snide Remarks?
email rachel at racheldickson.com