“Ever get asked if you’re related to Monet, the famous painter?” Rachel Monet, a California-based artist, often hears this question. With a chuckle, she responds, “I don’t claim to be directly related to Claude, but I do know that I was born with an artist’s soul. I’ve known I was an artist since I discovered finger painting in kindergarten.”
Rachel Monet is a self-taught artist who believes that art is a deeply personal experience. Her work is a reflection of her passion for expressing emotions like love, romance, and passion in various forms on canvas.
Her artistic journey took an unexpected turn in the whirlwind year of 2020 when she decided to fully embrace her creative spirit. For most of her life, she had held back her artistic urges. It wasn’t until she realized that art is all about perception, and what we see in it is entirely subjective, that she decided to share her unique perspective with the world.
Originally from Northern California, Rachel has made Orange County her home for the past five years. It was only when she was on the verge of turning 64 that her art found its way into a professional gallery for the first time. The Hugo Rivera Gallery, nestled in the artsy enclave of Laguna Beach, California, offered her this incredible opportunity.
Rachel’s story is a testament to the idea that it’s never too late to chase your passions and explore your creative side. Her journey is an inspiration to artists of all ages, encouraging them to tap into their creativity and pursue their dreams with unwavering determination.
Looking back on her life, Rachel recognizes that confidence and a creative free spirit have been driving forces in her survival and success from a very young age. Her parents encouraged her to experiment, be creative, make mistakes, and figure things out. This early nurturing of her creative side instilled in her the belief that she could do anything, regardless of gender or size.
Rachel’s life has been marked by various careers and relocations, leading her to Orange County, California, in 2018. Despite her many roles and responsibilities as a mother, wife, and career-driven individual, Rachel found herself in her early 50s grappling with deep depression. It was a wake-up call that prompted her to reflect on who she had become and what had happened to her creative, goofy self. In the pursuit of fulfilling all her other roles, she had forgotten to nurture her own well-being and creative spirit.
However, Rachel’s path to self-discovery began when she found solace, healing, and an indescribable feeling of bliss through painting. The act of painting reconnected her with herself, and she realized that it was her happy place. Instead of regarding it as a frivolous pastime, she started making more and more time for painting, eager to experience that overwhelming sense of joy and fulfillment it brought her.
As Rachel delved deeper into her artistic journey, she realized that painting had a profound impact on her mood and overall well-being. The act of creating art transported her into a blissful state where worries and stress vanished, and her mind focused solely on the canvas before her. This state of creative flow, often referred to as “the zone,” became her sanctuary.
Rachel Monet’s art spans a diverse range of styles and techniques, reflecting her belief that art should evoke emotions in the viewer. Love, romance, and passion are recurring themes in her work, expressed in all their multifaceted forms. Her art serves as a conduit for these powerful emotions, allowing viewers to connect with their own feelings and experiences.
Rachel’s artistic journey is a testament to the transformative power of creativity and self-discovery. Her story reminds us that it’s never too late to rekindle our passions and embrace our creative selves. With each stroke of her brush, she not only creates beautiful works of art but also invites others to embark on their own artistic journeys, encouraging them to find their happy place and pursue their dreams with unwavering determination.
In a world where we often prioritize our roles and responsibilities over our own well-being and creativity, Rachel Monet serves as a beacon of inspiration. She reminds us that true fulfillment lies in embracing our passions and allowing our creative spirits to soar, just as she has done with her remarkable journey as an artist.
