Daily Inspiration: Meet Rachael Ogles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachael Ogles.

Hi Rachael, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
For as long as I can remember I have always been a creative person and a person who has always loved animals of all kinds. When I began college back in 2007 at the University of Iowa, I had dreams of becoming a professional oil painter. However, I soon realized how difficult it is to be a studio artist out in the real world, so I ended up changing my major to a BFA in graphic design. I hoped that at some point in my life I would be able to get back to my true passion for painting.

After moving to Nashville in 2013 and starting in my field of graphic design, I realized that although it is definitely a wonderful form of art, it wasn’t at all what I wanted to be doing long-term. I often found myself in my office daydreaming of what it would be like to be a studio artist, yet I had no idea how to make this happen.

In 2015, I married my husband Matthew and he encouraged me to get back into painting. However, I struggled to find the time and energy to sit down and paint after my 8-5 graphic design job, while also running an educational company with my husband as the creative director. I created a few watercolor pieces here and there that slowly lit a spark, but it wasn’t until 2018 that everything changed.

Due to the stress of my day job and side business (that had me traveling all across the country), my autoimmune disease began to wreak havoc on my body. I lost a significant amount of weight, my hair was falling out, I felt sick constantly, and my body was riddled with arthritis (caused by my disease). The added stress of my illness took a major toll on my mental health and I felt completely lost.

However, there was one day in October of 2019 that forever changed my life. As I walked through our carport to go into our house, I saw this female carpenter bee struggling on the ground. It was at that moment that a light went on for me. I had spent months struggling with this illness and could only focus on that. My illness nearly became my identity, although I didn’t want it to. As I knelt down beside her exhausted little body, I felt an instant connection and tie to her that I hadn’t felt before. I quickly did some research online and discovered that carpenter bees (and other bee species) can become tired and lethargic while foraging for pollen and nectar. As she lay on my carport floor, I ran to my garden and clipped some lavender to bring to her to help her regain energy from the nectar it provides. After helping her onto the lavender, she started sucking nectar from the flowers. After about 30 minutes of rest and rehydration, she flew off on her journey home.

From this experience, I realized what had been missing from my life in a major way…art and nature. Instead of continuing to focus on my illness, I put that energy into learning about insects, wildlife, native plants, habitat and ecosystem restoration, climate change, and more. I took this as my sign and opportunity to teach others about having a connection with nature and how that can change your life and give you purpose. I began shooting photography while out in the field and studying my animal and insect subjects while simultaneously growing connections with them. I then began to paint their portraits from my own reference photos. From there, Rachael Bee’s Artwork was born.

My art name stems from the little carpenter bee that changed my life, but it’s also a nod to my maiden name, which was Buckles. Through grade school and high school, people always called me Rachael B. This journey has been a long one, but it was a journey that I wouldn’t change for anything.

Through my artwork, I hope to convey the message that every encounter we have with nature is special. All these creatures that are often overlooked or misunderstood are vitally important to various ecosystems, habitats, and our planet. That is why my artist statement is “kindness for every creature”.

Lastly, I felt it was important to give back to those who are working every day to provide care for wildlife, insects, nature, farm animals, and more. That being said, I donate 10% of the profit from my originals, art prints, journals, tote bags, and greeting cards to the National Wildlife Federation, Iowa Farm Sanctuary, and May Farm Sanctuary.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has definitely been a bit of a bumpy road while learning the business side of the art world, but I feel like I am slowly getting a grasp of things. What I struggle with the most is balancing my time between creating new art, content creation on social media, wildlife and insect research, inventory, and art shows, and wanting to spend lots of time out in nature and in my gardens.

The art shows and festivals are very exhausting for me, but I really do love them because I get to meet so many amazing nature and wildlife lovers. As a bonus, many people who come to my events share the connections they have had with animals out in nature and it brings me so much happiness to hear these stories as well as share my own.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a studio artist who specializes in watercolor. In college, I started as an oil painter, but over the years I realized how in love I am with the movement watercolor provides. It also has a mind of its own, which can be very tricky to deal with, but I love it. I primarily paint wildlife, insects, fungi, and nature.

The thing that I feel sets me apart from other artists is the bond that I have with each of my subjects. I spend time with them and watch them from a distance (and sometimes up close). I photograph them and study their behavior. I truly love each of them for exactly who they are. I especially enjoy painting creatures that people don’t understand very well and sometimes have a distaste for. I try to be a voice for these creatures and I humanize them by giving them names and sharing my stories so that people can better understand them and have respect for them.

I am most proud of how far I have come as an artist and even the fact that I get to go to work every day as a studio artist. I will forever be grateful for that.

How can people work with you, collaborate with you, or support you?
The best way to support me or any other artist is to like, comment, and share our work on social media platforms and also by shopping from our online stores. When people share my work or my reels talking about wildlife, it spread awareness for these creatures and creates more conversation around ways to help protect them.

As for collaborations, I plan on working with local wildlife rehab facilities to meet their educational animals and do portraits of them to help spread awareness for their organization and for wildlife! I have also collaborated with a local farm sanctuary called, May Farm Sanctuary, and I got to meet and paint a portrait of one of their resident pigs named Patti. Lastly, I work with individuals who have shared their unique wildlife experiences with me and have photographed their amazing encounters. They give me permission to use their photograph as a reference photo and to tell their story.

Pricing:

• Giclee Archival Matted Watercolor Art Prints – $27-$35
• Tote Bags – $25
• Journals/Sketchbooks – $7.50-$18
• Greeting Cards – $5.50
• Waterproof Stickers – $4

Contact Info:

• Website: www.rachaelbeeartwork.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachaelbeeartwork/