Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Corbin.
Hi Rachel, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I have loved art for as long as I can remember. One of my earliest memories is asking my older sisters kindergarten teacher for construction paper so I could draw. I grew up in the Chicagoland area and pursued art in college at Northern Illinois University. During my last semester, I had unexpected life events occur that moved me to Nashville in 2018. In Nashville, I started working as a bartender while pursuing my dreams of being a full-time artist. While bartending, a coworker and friend, Aiden, would often ask me for cocktail recipes for her martini nights. I wanted to surprise her with a collection of cocktail recipes with art on them. This developed into a full project, The Painted Pour, that had its first release in June of this year. I’ve created an assortment of original oil paintings and made them into prints. Each print has a cocktail recipe and fun fact on the back! This project combines my love for art and my lifelong work in the service industry. I have been so grateful to have had so much support in releasing this project while continually capturing loved ones and special moments through my oil paintings for clients all over the Nashville area and even in New York!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not always been a smooth road. I took a break from creating art after first moving to Nashville. I hit some road bumps while adjusting from a huge life change. I eventually found the spark and time to create again. I was having difficult finding the direction I wanted to take with my art, but I often tried to remind myself that it was important to continually create, no matter what it was. I often found that surrounding myself with art helped me feel that spark again. Whether it was an art show, a mural, or a museum show, I would leave feeling inspired.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in oil painting, often capturing moments people hold dear. I began to really build my clientele through pet portraits, one of my first being a gift to a friend after losing their sweet dog. I really love that I have found my way back to my portrait work. There has always been something I loved about capturing a persons energy and soul on canvas. I first pursued portrait work in college, where I also fell in love with oil painting. My current project, inspired by a sweet friend, is a series of oil paintings that combine my love of art and the craft of the cocktail. There will be continuous releases of The Painted Pour as I develop paintings paired with a variety new recipes. I hope to expand this project as I think it would make great gifts, party favors, personalized prints of a bride and grooms signature cocktails, perfect for the energy that comes through Nashville!
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Never stop creating. Even when you feel uninspired, and going through an “artists block”, keep creating. Look for those that inspire you, surround yourself with the things and people that lift you up. Never stop believing in yourself. In college, there was a semester where I became so unhappy with everything I was creating. I felt like I had suddenly lost skill levels. I spoke to my professor about it and she told me to keep creating. That it was a sign I was pushing through something and about to “level up”. It was extremely difficult to do, but I did and I saw a huge step forward in my work. I think that same mentality applies to life. There were many times things in my life just felt messy and I was unhappy. There were times I wanted to give up, but I kept surrounding myself with things and people I loved and pushed through time I didn’t think I’d get through. Now I can truly say that I am happy. I’ve found family I thought I’d never have, and opportunities I thought I didn’t deserve. That small piece of advice from my professor is one that sat with me and has applied to my life in many ways. Just never stop creating, never stop pursuing what you love. Walk with kindness and empathy.
Pricing:
- The Painted Pour: The Original Set $30
- The Painted Pour: Individual Cards $6
- Commissions starting at $600 at 5 by 7 inches
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rachelcorbinart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelcorbin_
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rachelcorbinart
