Art by R.M. Crafts

How I feel having no time or space to create lately (Mr. Whatsit?!?!)! With multiple days of no school and seeing my bonus kids I have not prioritized art at all. My desk is still hopelessly cluttered and I was ahead of laundry for one day until the house became a mess again. I'm thinking of starting sketching just to get my art muscles warmed up and have low commitment...Probably the cats since they are always around 😂 Or more musical artists with colored pencil!!

I posted this on my personal page- but how cool did the sign and tree turn out for my fave couple's wedding?! ❤️

Meet the artist!
Rachael Victoria Miller
31 yrs old
(Questions via ArtsCulture)

How do you work?
Preferably alone with music in the background! We actually just moved my art desk into our bedroom so I can paint without distractions and in front of a window. Spotify has the best selection of Lofi music that's perfect for working.

What themes do you pursue?
Darker themes are not everyone's cup of tea so lately I have been going for brighter, contrasting colors. I want others to view my art and feel hope or wonder. I would like to paint and draw some emotional pieces for my own healing purposes.

What is an artistic outlook on life?
I believe once art becomes a major part of your life you view the World differently. You can find interesting qualities in most things and are influenced simply by things existing as they are. Flowers, clouds, children playing- the mundane becomes inspiring and beautiful.

What do you dislike about the art world?
I feel that many people are put off from doing art because they believe there are all of these rules. Don't let the purists fool you- art is for expression! It's as simple as that. My opinion is that as our society changes so will our art and the mediums that are favored. We can see this in the trend of celebrities endorsing NFT and the A.I. programs that create art using only word prompts. I do not believe in A.I. works being marketed as art. I would much rather pay someone who had the courage to pick up a pencil or brush and be "bad".

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
As Shia LaBeouf said in his now infamous green screen rant: "JUST DO IT". My husband said something to the same extent when his Mother, the most gifted crafty woman I know, gifted me my first watercolor palette- all poured and labeled by her. I voiced my concern that I wasn't good enough...certainly not as good as she is. He just shrugged in that Dad way they've perfected and said, "You'll never know if you don't try". I decided then to put my entire heart and soul into everything I paint, because only then would I be truly happy.

What can't you live without?
Right now- Micron pens. They give my watercolor a more cartoonish feel! In general- sugar, my cats Ghost and Merry, my Skull Candy headphones, and my family 🙂

Why art?
Art gave me the break I didn't know I needed. It provided my brain with something to focus on that actually enriched my life (sorry, HBO MAX)! It's helped my patience, hand eye coordination, and self-confidence. Truly, art gave me permission to focus 100% on myself and bettering a skill from next to nothing... and for that I will always be grateful!