Artist Statement

Rachel Q. Landers earned a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art, with a concentration in Scientific Illustration from the University of Georgia in 2006. She currently lives in Gainesville, Georgia.

Rachel’s artwork, by moving away from realism, acknowledges that viewers bring a lexicon of experience and concurrent emotion to a painting. She would like her artwork to encourage discourse - facilitating storytelling and a sense of community. This holds a significant place in her art and philosophy.

Tying together aspects of life and nature with spirituality, Rachel creates mystery, in essence – possibilities. When creating her art, she feels it is challenging as well as freeing to accept change and adapt to what emerges. By layering perhaps unusual combinations of shapes and colors which contrast and resolve, her work represents life with its undulating tensions– and sometimes surprising beauty. She wishes to broaden her outlook visually as well as in day to day interactions. It is an optimistic process.

1.05.2010

Greenville, SC


Falls Park on the Reedy

Portrait Commission


Greenville

We went to Greenville, SC this weekend and had a great time. The city was more a small town feel, but in a larger city. We were impressed with pretty much everything about it. They had lots of art shops, neat shops, and recycle bins all along main street. It was very clean, seemed contemporary (wireless in the park, several free admissions to cultural events/exhibits, and very 'green'), but still with some beautiful old buildings. They had christmas decorations up -Christmas lights and candy decorations hanging from tree branches.

Everyone was friendly each place we went. At Falls Park on the Reedy http://www.fallspark.com/index_content.html , two different couples stopped us to mention the blue heron around the corner, since I had my camera with me. I definitely recommend going to the park if you are ever there, and also the Greenville County Museum of Art! (Free Admission!) http://www.greenvillemuseum.org/

Here they had - the 2nd largest- exhibit of Andrew Wyeth's work. It was well worth the hour and 1/2 drive from Ga. I was also pleasantly surprised to find out William Steig, the author of a favorite children's book of mine, "Sylvester and the Magic Pebble," is the creator of the popular movie Shrek!

Our walk up and down main street also took us to The Blue Ridge Brewing Co. where we ate dinner and lunch the next day. They had the best grilled chicken caesar salad I've ever had! They added artichoke hearts, which was strangely the perfect complement.

My favorite part though, was the perfect travelling partner. :)

The only downside to our trip seemed to be we went on the coldest day!! 25 degrees, but "felt like" 14!

12.13.2009

Scarf

1 of 3 recently commissioned scarves

Etsy

I have finally decided to join and sell my artwork on Etsy. I have started my profile and will be adding to the shop in the next few weeks. I'm learning how to do everything right now - There's so much you can do with it! I've realized I need more pictures of my artwork...

My shop's address is www.RachelQLanders.etsy.com or you can click the link to the right side of the page on this blog. Hope you come visit sometime!

12.02.2009

" A Northwinds Christmas"

I will be playing flute again with Northwinds Symphonic Band in their annual christmas concert. It's going to be a good, fun, show! :)

Thursday, December 3rd at 7:30 pm
Lakewood Baptist Church
Gainesville, GA

Free Admission

11.20.2009

A Rose From The Desert

SOLD AT AUCTION
A quick picture of "A Rose From The Desert" for the Challenged Child Auction Gala Dec. 5th. More so meaning a rose = arisen, than an actual object, a rose.

Sundew - finished


SOLD
Quick picture of Sundew all finished. It came together really well with cranberry mats and a gold frame from Frames You Nique.

11.04.2009

Festival of Trees Gala 2009

Getting a painting ready to donate for this fundraiser. Maybe i'll see you there!

From the Challenged Child website:

"Plan now to attend the 2009 Festival of Trees Gala on December 5th at 7:00 p.m. at the Buisson Barn. Participants will enjoy heavy hors d'oeuvres and complimentary fine wine, beer and cocktails. Live and silent auction items will include trees, wreaths, original artwork, jewelry and travel packages. Tickets to the Gala are $80.

Before the Gala begins, Bob and Red Buisson open their beautiful home to a limited number of guests who wish to purchase Noel Party Packages, which include Gala tickets and a cocktail party at the Buisson's home next door to the "barn." Tickets are limited so don't miss it! For tickets, call Gail Schneider at 770-535-8372, ext. 309.

10.29.2009

At The Piano


The Hiker

SOLD

pictured with black mat (not all shown)

Wind & Water

No. 7 - 5 x 7 Weaving on Paper with dark brown 11 x 14 mat (not all shown)

This painting/weaving is about movement. Whether seen vertically as an aerial view of a creek with stones, or horizontally as a field with blue sky and white clouds.. there are many possibilities.

Tree of Life - Work In Progress

No. 1 - My first investigation in weaving, which started all the weaving pieces.

Sundew-Finished

SOLD
No. 6 - Ethereal. Named after the Sundew (Drosera) plant.

10.19.2009

Working

Crazy painting in the middle of the night. Nov. 2008. I work anywhere and everywhere I am. I actually like this painting better how it is in this picture, than how it is now. It has life to it.

Voltage Adapter Prison Camp


For some reason, I am enamored with this photograph. (Taken off Mt. Vernon Rd. around sunset) I would love to do a painting using it as a reference one day. There are just so many interesting narratives you can make up.

10.08.2009

Art In The Square 2009 Pics







Sundew


5 x 7 Weaving on Paper - WORK IN PROGRESS Sometimes I like to post work in the different stages of painting so you can see the progression over time.

Shuttlecock





No. 4 - 5 x 7 Weaving on Paper

Shuttlecock -verb 1. to bandy to and fro such as words back and forth

The naming of this piece corresponds with the point of my artwork as a whole - to stimulate people talking to one another, creating community. There also appears to be a bird on the top portion. And also related because of the yarn I used and the woven portions as the shuttle is used in the weaving process on a loom.

-The fourth piece of my weaving series.
-Wool yarn, ink, acrylic paint, and paper on 5” x 7” archival paper mounted between plum/purple window mat and backing mat. Both neutral pH.
-Framed in silver 11” x 14” frame with glass.
-Finished with brown paper backing and wire for hanging.

Rise and Fall

No. 5 - 5 x 7 Weaving on Paper

To me, this one is about relationship - Paradox. Ups and downs. Ins and outs. Give and take. There is consistency. You are woven together. Weighty heaviness - substantial. Rolling waves of emotion. Flesh and spirit. Ebb and flow. Mountains and valleys. Soft and jagged. Separate and whole. Comforting.

10.05.2009

Up Next

The Ga Mountains YMCA - 2455 Howard Road, Gainesville, GA 30501
is having an Arts Festival the week of Oct 5th-Oct. 11th. If you didn't get to make it to Art In The Square, some of my artwork will be featured at the YMCA this week.

Also, the Quinlan Member's Show is coming up - October 15th is the opening party from 5:30- 7:30 pm. The exhibit runs until December 6th. I will have one or two pieces in this exhibit. The Quinlan's info:

514 Green Street NE, Gainesville, GA 30501
http://www.quinlanartscenter.org/

Hours:

Monday-Friday: 9am - 5pm
Saturday: 10am-4pm
Sunday: Closed

Art In The Square

I had a great time at Art In The Square Saturday! Thank you to everyone who stopped by, everyone who volunteered, all the sponsors, and all the artists who made it happen, especially Anne Brodie Hill.

A BIG thanks to my family for all their help and support - my boyfriend Odis Sisk, especially for making sure I had what I needed all day - from discussing all aspects of my work, to set up, to manning the booth to let me eat lunch and see the other artists' booths. And my parents Ted and Judith Landers and brother Jeremy for canceling their plans to be there for me with whatever I needed from display materials, to set up, to encouraging others to see my artwork etc. I couldn't have done it without you three!

I got great media exposure thanks to Kristen Morales at the Gainesville Times. And won an Honorable Mention for my Silent Auction piece "Celebration for Gustav" (Judged by the Quinlan's Director Amanda Kroll). Celebration for Gustav was on the front page of the Get Out section of the Gainesville Times on Thursday October 1st with an article inside. http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/news/article/24196

The Silent Auction pieces at Frames You Nique raised more than $3,000 for Challenged Child!!

For my first experience like this, it turned out to be a wonderful success. Although, I will definitely remember to bring sunscreen next time!!

10.03.2009

Raffle Winner

Congratulations to Art's Pizza - the Raffle winner!

9.23.2009

Rachel Q. Landers' Raffle at Art In The Square

Info about the Raffle:

-Fill out a ticket entry slip at my booth on Bradford St. NW. 10am-5pm Oct. 3rd.
-$1.00 per ticket
-The winning ticket will be drawn and announced from my booth at 5pm when Art In The Square closes
-The winner, if not there in person, will be contacted and listed on this blog.
-The Prize is a framed piece of artwork - picture of artwork coming soon!

9.22.2009

Gainesville Times Newspaper Article 9-22-09



SOLD AT AUCTION
http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/news/article/23841/

Newspaper article by Kristen Morales about the Challenged Child Auction and Art In The Square with a picture of my piece "Celebration for Gustav" (the purple and yellow abstract one that pops up first) and quote from myself.

7.28.2009

2009 Art in the Square

2009 Art in the Square Festival: Series of Events to Celebrate the Arts Community in Gainesville
Coming this Fall

Silent Auction September 1 - October 3, Frames You-Nique, on the Square, Gainesville, to Benefit Challenged Child and Friends

A Silent Auction of original artwork donated by local artists will be held at Frames You-Nique from September 1 to October 3, 2009. Bidding closes at 4 pm on October 3. All proceeds will go to Challenged Child and Friends, Northeast Georgia's early intervention center which provides quality educational, therapeutic, nursing and family support services to children with disabilities and their typical peers (http://www.challengedchild.org/). See http://www.artinthesquarega.com/ for more information, or call Anne Brodie Hill, Art in the Square Festival Director, at (770) 886-6126.

Art in the Square Preview Party: A Matter of Taste Friday, October 2, 7:00 - 10:00pm

A special preview party and wine tasting event will kick off the 6th annual Art in the Square festivities. Save the evening of Friday, October 2 from 7:00 to 10:00pm to join participating artists under the lights of the main tents on the square. A Matter of Taste is hosted by fine dining restaurant Scott's on the Square. Tickets are $55 per couple. Individual tickets are $30 each, or $25 for those under 21 or those not partaking in the wine tasting. Tickets include live music, wine tasting of 6 varieties of Just wine (a small French vineyard) and complimentary collectible wine glass. Heavy hors d'oeuvres and wine tasting are provided by Scott's on the Square (http://www.scottsonthesquare.com/). Your ticket can be used on Friday night for a $25 art-purchase credit on any single artwork item priced at $250 or greater. Note: Tickets cannot be combined toward a single artwork purchase. The art-purchase credit is good Friday night only.

Tickets for A Matter of Taste will go on sale September 1, 2009 through the Quinlan Visual Arts Center (770) 536-2575. Make checks payable to Main Street Gainesville. See http://www.artinthesquarega.com/ or http://www.quinlanartscenter.org/ for more information, or call Anne Brodie Hill, Art in the Square Festival Director, at (770) 886-6126.

6th Annual Art in the Square: Saturday, October 3, 10:00am - 5:00pm

Gainesville will celebrate the 6th Annual Art in the Square Festival on Saturday, October 3. This annual event is popular with artists and collectors statewide and will feature original artwork of local and regional fine artists and artisans on the charming historic downtown square. Festival guests will drench their senses in the art, music, crafts, and food of this all-day juried art festival, free to the public. Works include fine art, sculpture, pottery, photography, and wood carving as well as jewelry and other artistic endeavors. Enjoy live entertainment, music, special performances by clowns and dancers, a Youth Artist Market sponsored by INK (Interactive Neighborhood for Kids) (770) 536-1900 (http://www.inkfun.org/), and a special artistic Cake Decorating Contest hosted by Main Street Market.

The juror for Art in the Square 2009 will be Amanda Kroll, Executive Director, Quinlan Visual Arts Center. Awards will be given for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, as well as several Honorable Mentions and a People's Choice Award for the audience favorite.

See http://www.artinthesquarega.com/ for more information, or call Anne Brodie Hill, Art in the Square Festival Director, at (770) 886-6126.

5.23.2009

Upcoming Events I am Participating In

May 25th
Northwinds Symphonic Band Memorial Day Performance
“The Last Full Measure of Devotion” First Baptist Church, Gainesville, GA 7:30 p.m.
Free Admission
(I will be playing in the flute section)
http://www.northwindsband.com/


June 2nd-30, 2009
Artwork Exhibit "Tell Me A Story: Finding Your Way Through Abstract Art"
Artwork by Rachel Q. Landers
Inman Perk coffee shop, 102 Washington Street NW, Gainesville, GA 30501
Free Admission
http://www.inmanperkcoffee.com/about/



June 6, 2009
Artwork Reception for Tell Me A Story..
Inman perk, 102 Washington Street NW, Gainesville, GA 7 pm
Free Admission
http://www.inmanperkcoffee.com/about/

Inman Perk's hours:
Mon: 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Tue: 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Wed: 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Thu: 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Fri: 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sat: 8:00 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sun: 8:00 a.m. to 9 p.m.

June 11 -August 9, 2009
Local Colour
Quinlan Visual Art Center 4th Annual Summer Juried Exhibit
Quinlan Visual Art Center, 514 Green Street NE, Gainesville, Georgia, 30501
Free Admission
Jurors Jean Westmacott and Gene Coker
http://www.quinlanartscenter.org/quinlan-exhibitions.html

June 11
Local Colour Opening Reception 5:30-7:00 PM

Quinlan's hours:
Monday - Friday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Saturdays 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Sundays: Closed

1.24.2009

Nephesh

SOLD
On the naming of this piece:


I had read this book by Spong, and my artwork seemed to fit perfectly with this discription.

From This Hebrew Lord by John Shelby Spong, "Nephesh literally means "breath"--more particularly the "breath of God." Ruach literally means "wind" --the "wind of God." The primary purpose of breath and wind was to animate, to make vital, to bring alive the whole person, body and mind. In a Hebrew context, a biblical context, to be spiritual was to be animated, vital, alive physically, all of which is quite different from its traditional religious meaning."


I see many things in this painting. Synapses firing, being one body (made of many) in Christ, being alive, celebrating life, spirits, an all loving/protecting God, angels, the broken hearted.

War for Peace


Canto I

SOLD

Red and Blue

SOLD

Into the Blue

SOLD

Circling


12.09.2008

Previous Events

- Artwork in the 61st Annual Quinlan Members' Exhibition, Juror William Eiland, director Georgia Museum of Art. October 16-November 30. Opening Oct. 16th, 5:30- 7:30.

- Artwork and playing flute in Grace Episcopal Festival of the Arts. November 1-23. Opening Nov. 1st, 7:30. Artwork Exhibit, Gift Shop, Live Music http://www.gracechurchgainesville.org/art/index.html

- Bucket artwork in the High Arts Day fundraiser at the High Museum of Art. Nov. 17th.

- Artwork donation to Elachee Nature Science Center's Safari Auction fundraiser 2008