Rachel Gillen
Cincinnati, OH United States
My artwork is a reflection of how I feel about my life and the experiences that have shaped it thus far. It is largely about the people who have come in and out of my life, the ones who are still around and the ones who aren't, and all the memories I... More
Artist Statement:
My artwork is a reflection of how I feel about my life and the experiences that have shaped it thus far. It is largely about the people who have come in and out of my life, the ones who are still around and the ones who aren't, and all the memories I've made and am still making. I strive for my work to be an honest interpretation of my day-to-day life.
I concentrate on my relationships with the people in my life I am closest to, or people who have sparked some sort of strong emotion, whether that be love, hurt, friendship, or confusion. I deconstruct my feelings about my subject then choose images to symbolize my feelings for the person and my experiences that have led me to create the painting. I use multiple images, almost always containing one, if not more, actual photo of the subject, to create the reference for my final piece.
These multiple images and layers reflect my feelings and all the gray area that I can never quite put my finger on, and portray my subjects in the most honest and open way that I know how to. I hope for the finished abstract quality of my work to draw in a larger audience and give my work a more universal quality, while the titles provide clues to the content and the very personal meaning behind it.
My work is oil on canvas or linen and varies largely in size, depending on, and stemming from my subject. I focus mostly on abstracting from realistic elements I am familiar with, using Photoshop as a tool for formulating my ideas into new, conceptually layered images that will serve as the basic reference for my paintings.
I concentrate on my relationships with the people in my life I am closest to, or people who have sparked some sort of strong emotion, whether that be love, hurt, friendship, or confusion. I deconstruct my feelings about my subject then choose images to symbolize my feelings for the person and my experiences that have led me to create the painting. I use multiple images, almost always containing one, if not more, actual photo of the subject, to create the reference for my final piece.
These multiple images and layers reflect my feelings and all the gray area that I can never quite put my finger on, and portray my subjects in the most honest and open way that I know how to. I hope for the finished abstract quality of my work to draw in a larger audience and give my work a more universal quality, while the titles provide clues to the content and the very personal meaning behind it.
My work is oil on canvas or linen and varies largely in size, depending on, and stemming from my subject. I focus mostly on abstracting from realistic elements I am familiar with, using Photoshop as a tool for formulating my ideas into new, conceptually layered images that will serve as the basic reference for my paintings.
Education:
BFA – painting, 2009, Academy of Art University, San Francisco, California
AA – painting, 2004, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
AA – painting, 2004, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
Awards & Distinctions:
2011
Studio Visit Magazine, 2011 Fall Edition
2010
Studio Visit Magazine, 2010 Summer Edition
Artist Residency, Festival of Murals, Wayne County, Indiana
Artist's Grant, Vermont Studio Center Artist Residency
2009
Artist's Grant, Vermont Studio Center Artist Residency
Honorable Mention, The Year's Best Art, The Artist's Magazine
1st Place, Abstract Painting, Spring Show, Academy of Art University
2nd Place, Abstract Painting, Spring Show, Academy of Art University
Best Body of Work, Spring Show, Academy of Art University
Finalist, Myartscholarship: Undergraduate Competition, Myartspace
2008
Finalist, People and Figures Competition, International Artist Magazine
1st Place, Contemporary Painting, Spring Show, Academy of Art University
2nd Place, Landscape Painting, Spring Show, Academy of Art University
3rd Place, Contemporary Painting, Spring Show, Academy of Art University
2007
Honorable Mention, The Year's Best Art, The Artist's Magazine
2006
1st Place, Watercolor Painting, Spring Show, California Watercolor Society
2nd Place, Still Life Painting, Spring Show, Academy of Art University
Underclassman Incentive Award, Spring Show, Frank Lanza
Studio Visit Magazine, 2011 Fall Edition
2010
Studio Visit Magazine, 2010 Summer Edition
Artist Residency, Festival of Murals, Wayne County, Indiana
Artist's Grant, Vermont Studio Center Artist Residency
2009
Artist's Grant, Vermont Studio Center Artist Residency
Honorable Mention, The Year's Best Art, The Artist's Magazine
1st Place, Abstract Painting, Spring Show, Academy of Art University
2nd Place, Abstract Painting, Spring Show, Academy of Art University
Best Body of Work, Spring Show, Academy of Art University
Finalist, Myartscholarship: Undergraduate Competition, Myartspace
2008
Finalist, People and Figures Competition, International Artist Magazine
1st Place, Contemporary Painting, Spring Show, Academy of Art University
2nd Place, Landscape Painting, Spring Show, Academy of Art University
3rd Place, Contemporary Painting, Spring Show, Academy of Art University
2007
Honorable Mention, The Year's Best Art, The Artist's Magazine
2006
1st Place, Watercolor Painting, Spring Show, California Watercolor Society
2nd Place, Still Life Painting, Spring Show, Academy of Art University
Underclassman Incentive Award, Spring Show, Frank Lanza
Professional/Teaching Experience:
2012-2013; Art instructor, Starfire Council of Greater Cincinnati
2010-2012; Part-time faculty, Academy of Art University
2009-2013; Private Painting and Drawing Instructor
2010-2012; Part-time faculty, Academy of Art University
2009-2013; Private Painting and Drawing Instructor
Exhibitions:
2013
The 12th Annual Art Inter/National exhibition... here and abroad, Box Heart Gallery, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
2012
Red, Redtree Gallery, Cincinnati, Ohio
Billboard Art Project, Atlanta, Georgia
tiny, Studio Gallery, San Francisco, California
A Small Glimpse, Redtree Gallery, Cincinnati, Ohio
FIVE by FIVE, Tampa Museum of Art, Tampa, Florida
Nite of Unity: Ohio Against Human Trafficking, OSU Arts Space, Columbus, Ohio
Abstract Show, Redtree Gallery, Cincinnati, Ohio
Delicious, Studio Gallery, San Francisco, California
Evoke, Redtree Gallery, Cincinnati, Ohio
2011
Terrain, Studio Gallery, San Francisco, California
Launch Party, Art Design Consultants, Cincinnati, Ohio
A Small Glimpse, Redtree Gallery, Cincinnati, Ohio
tiny, Studio Gallery, San Francisco, California
2010
Up; New Paintings by Rachel Gillen, Swayne on Main, Covington, Kentucky
Delicious, Studio Gallery, San Francisco, California
Tiny, Studio Gallery, San Francisco, California
ProKids Soiree Fundraiser Auction, Cincinnati, Ohio
2009
Teacher/Students, Hespe Gallery, San Francisco, California
Reflective Perceptions, Gallery 79, San Francisco, California
Ourboros: The Art of the Round, Dorothy Herger Gallery, Fairfield, California
A Small Glimpse, Red Tree Gallery, Cincinnati, Ohio
Academy of Art Spring Show, 601 Brannan Gallery, San Francisco, California
Represent, Bromwell's Gallery, Cincinnati, Ohio
Holiday Show, Bromwell's Gallery, Cincinnati, Ohio
Tiny, Studio Gallery, San Francisco, California
Delicious, Studio Gallery, San Francisco, California
14th Annual Faculty/Alumni Fine Art Auction, Gallery 79, San Francisco, California
The Perfect Party, ProKids Fundraiser Auction, Cincinnati, Ohio
Junior League of San Francisco Fundraiser Auction, San Francisco, California
2008
'A' Class, Hang Art, San Francisco, California
17th Annual Breckenridge Fine Art Show, Breckenridge Fine Arts Center, Breckenridge, Texas
The Kindest Shape, Base Cooperative Gallery, Cincinnati, Ohio
Tiny, Studio Gallery, San Francisco, California
Out of the Blue, Red Tree Gallery, Cincinnati, Ohio
Delicious, Studio Gallery, San Francisco, California
Magnitude SEVEN, Manifest Gallery, Cincinnati, Ohio
Academy of Art Spring Show, 601 Brannan Gallery, San Francisco, California
The Perfect Party, ProKids Fundraiser Auction, Cincinnati, Ohio
Junior League of San Francisco Fundraiser Auction, San Francisco, California
Meier's Art & Wine Invitational, Silverton, Ohio
2007
Pabst Blue Ribbon '07-'08 East and West Coast Tour, United States
Academy of Art Spring Show, 601 Brannan Gallery, San Francisco, California
Academy of Art Big Bang Show, 601 Brannan Gallery, San Francisco, California
Junior League of San Francisco Fundraiser Auction, San Francisco, California
Alta Plaza Preschool Fundraiser Auction, San Francisco, California
2006
Academy of Art Spring Show, Gallery 79, San Francisco, California
Academy of Art Big Bang Show, Gallery 79, San Francisco, California
2005
Group Show, Studio Z, San Francisco, California
Hurricane Katrina Relief Auction, San Francisco, California
2004
Miami University Student Show, Fitton Center for the Arts, Hamilton, Ohio
2002
Whitewater Valley Regional Art Competition, Indiana University East, Richmond, Indiana
The 12th Annual Art Inter/National exhibition... here and abroad, Box Heart Gallery, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
2012
Red, Redtree Gallery, Cincinnati, Ohio
Billboard Art Project, Atlanta, Georgia
tiny, Studio Gallery, San Francisco, California
A Small Glimpse, Redtree Gallery, Cincinnati, Ohio
FIVE by FIVE, Tampa Museum of Art, Tampa, Florida
Nite of Unity: Ohio Against Human Trafficking, OSU Arts Space, Columbus, Ohio
Abstract Show, Redtree Gallery, Cincinnati, Ohio
Delicious, Studio Gallery, San Francisco, California
Evoke, Redtree Gallery, Cincinnati, Ohio
2011
Terrain, Studio Gallery, San Francisco, California
Launch Party, Art Design Consultants, Cincinnati, Ohio
A Small Glimpse, Redtree Gallery, Cincinnati, Ohio
tiny, Studio Gallery, San Francisco, California
2010
Up; New Paintings by Rachel Gillen, Swayne on Main, Covington, Kentucky
Delicious, Studio Gallery, San Francisco, California
Tiny, Studio Gallery, San Francisco, California
ProKids Soiree Fundraiser Auction, Cincinnati, Ohio
2009
Teacher/Students, Hespe Gallery, San Francisco, California
Reflective Perceptions, Gallery 79, San Francisco, California
Ourboros: The Art of the Round, Dorothy Herger Gallery, Fairfield, California
A Small Glimpse, Red Tree Gallery, Cincinnati, Ohio
Academy of Art Spring Show, 601 Brannan Gallery, San Francisco, California
Represent, Bromwell's Gallery, Cincinnati, Ohio
Holiday Show, Bromwell's Gallery, Cincinnati, Ohio
Tiny, Studio Gallery, San Francisco, California
Delicious, Studio Gallery, San Francisco, California
14th Annual Faculty/Alumni Fine Art Auction, Gallery 79, San Francisco, California
The Perfect Party, ProKids Fundraiser Auction, Cincinnati, Ohio
Junior League of San Francisco Fundraiser Auction, San Francisco, California
2008
'A' Class, Hang Art, San Francisco, California
17th Annual Breckenridge Fine Art Show, Breckenridge Fine Arts Center, Breckenridge, Texas
The Kindest Shape, Base Cooperative Gallery, Cincinnati, Ohio
Tiny, Studio Gallery, San Francisco, California
Out of the Blue, Red Tree Gallery, Cincinnati, Ohio
Delicious, Studio Gallery, San Francisco, California
Magnitude SEVEN, Manifest Gallery, Cincinnati, Ohio
Academy of Art Spring Show, 601 Brannan Gallery, San Francisco, California
The Perfect Party, ProKids Fundraiser Auction, Cincinnati, Ohio
Junior League of San Francisco Fundraiser Auction, San Francisco, California
Meier's Art & Wine Invitational, Silverton, Ohio
2007
Pabst Blue Ribbon '07-'08 East and West Coast Tour, United States
Academy of Art Spring Show, 601 Brannan Gallery, San Francisco, California
Academy of Art Big Bang Show, 601 Brannan Gallery, San Francisco, California
Junior League of San Francisco Fundraiser Auction, San Francisco, California
Alta Plaza Preschool Fundraiser Auction, San Francisco, California
2006
Academy of Art Spring Show, Gallery 79, San Francisco, California
Academy of Art Big Bang Show, Gallery 79, San Francisco, California
2005
Group Show, Studio Z, San Francisco, California
Hurricane Katrina Relief Auction, San Francisco, California
2004
Miami University Student Show, Fitton Center for the Arts, Hamilton, Ohio
2002
Whitewater Valley Regional Art Competition, Indiana University East, Richmond, Indiana
Artistic Influences:
Anne Gale, Alyssa Monks, Kevin Moore, John Wentz, Edward Hopper
Artist Tags:
contemporary, realism, abstract, oil, painting, portraits
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