Art, Adventure & Other Curiosities

A Little More Room in Italy 🇮🇹

Small Watercolor done in Italy

I’m getting so excited about our Italy adventure this fall! As the trip gets closer, I wanted to let you know that we have just three rooms remaining.
Wendy and I have intentionally kept this trip small and intimate because we want it to feel less like a traditional tour and more like a shared creative adventure—time to wander, notice the little things, enjoy wonderful food and beautiful places, and be inspired by everything around us.
You don’t need to arrive with a particular artistic goal. Maybe you’ll fill a sketchbook, take hundreds of photographs, discover a new favorite artist, or simply sit in a piazza and soak it all in. There will be plenty of room for all of it.
If you’ve been thinking about joining us, just message me and I will send the information your way.​

You’re Invited!

Join us this Sunday, September 13th, from 1–3 PM for the reception celebrating our exhibition, Perspectives: A Collection of Voices.  

​This exhibition brings together the work of artists who each see and interpret the world in their own unique way. From different subjects and techniques to different ways of expressing an idea, every piece offers a glimpse into an individual creative perspective.  

The artists featured in this exhibition area few of my students from Montgomery College, and it has been such a pleasure to watch their creativity, confidence, and individual artistic voices develop throughout our time together. This exhibition is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate not only the work they have created, but also the courage it takes to put that work out into the world.

Come celebrate the artists, enjoy the work, and share an afternoon of art and conversation at the New Deal Cafe.

Scratch that creative itch!

 A little work in progress using a limited palette

Come Make Something!

​I’m excited to be teaching another semester of art classes at Montgomery College, where I’ll be sharing my love of painting through Intro to Acrylics, Abstract/Non-Objective Painting, and Advanced Painting. Whether you’re picking up a brush for the first time, looking to break free from representation, or ready to take your painting practice to the next level, there’s a class for you!

MC Registration link

And if you’d rather take your art outdoors or explore the soft, expressive qualities of pastel—I’ll also be offering a Pastel and a Plein Air Painting workshops at Greenbelt Community Center. I’d love to have you join me, experiment, get a little messy, and most importantly, make some art!

Greenbelt Registration Link

⛏️Shawshank Update!

The Shawshank Redemption happens to be one of my favorite movies, so perhaps it’s fitting that I’ve found myself channeling a little bit of Andy Dufresne in the studio lately. Instead of a prison wall, I’m chipping away at years of accumulated supplies, scraps, treasures, and things I was absolutely certain I would use someday. The visual of his small rock hammer slowly, steadily chipping his way through that wall really helps put this effort in perspective. So that’s my approach: slow and steady, one little bit at a time. I may not see the light of day anytime soon (and I definitely will be avoiding swimming through the septic system at all costs!), but every box emptied, drawer sorted, and bit of clutter cleared feels like a small step toward reclaiming my studio—and making room for whatever comes next.  And the longer I dig, the bigger the chunks are that fall away. So, I will keep at it and shake my pants legs out as I go.  You may see some of the chunks at the local thrift store or on facebook marketplace! :)

​Discovered these clear acrylic boxes that have been great for getting things orderly and keeping them visible. 

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And that’s a wrap for this month! As summer winds down and a new season begins, I’m off to keep chipping away at the studio 🔨, dreaming about Italy, making art, and generally following wherever curiosity leads me. Thanks for being part of the journey—I’m so glad you’re here. Until next time, keep looking closely, making messes, and finding the magic in the unexpected.
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Racquel

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