Meet Rachel Berkowitz | Painter & Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rachel Berkowitz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rachel, what’s the most important lesson your business/career has taught you?
Always trust your gut. Believing in your own talents is not easy in an overly-saturated creative world. Trust yourself and keep trying, even after a million rejections.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My name is Rachel Berkowitz and I am a visual artist. I was born in Columbus, Ohio, and raised in London, England. I moved to California to study Fine Art at UCLA, and graduated with a BA in 2016.

I have been expressing myself creatively in different mediums from the age of five. I am now a full-time artist, with a focus on abstract painting and fine art portrait photography. My recent practice concentrates on transcribing meditative energy through biophilia, using natural landscapes as a primary creative resource. The work aims to bridge the gap between fine art and design. There is a heavy concentration on the spiritual elements associated with nature and how this plays with different states of the mind. Themes like child development and ADHD, as well as decision making such as risk-taking, fate and chance are explored using natural landscapes as a primary creative resource. The goal is to bring these feelings into interior spaces, allowing the artwork to flow with the interior design. I have been inspired by recent modern staging commissions, as well as my recent travels across US National Parks which has opened my eyes to create artwork that places a need on the concern for conservation and preservation.

For me, abstract painting is a complete expression and a way to depict how I see the world in a beautiful manner. I think of my paintings as music without lyrics. When I create, every mark is so purposeful, so intricately composed. My paintings are a way for me to push the boundaries of the painting medium itself, and I love exploring these moments using different techniques, painting tools and mediums.

My biggest passion is to inspire others through my artwork, so I also teach art classes for both children and adults. I am part of a program where I am sent to different elementary schools that do not have sufficient funds for art education and I teach around 100 students art in one day. For adults, I host a monthly sip-and-paint session, where I teach landscape painting. I have learnt the importance of being able to focus on a pleasant task where the mind is completely rid of digital screens; Any anxiety or sense of urgency one might experience while at work is completely dismissed during the painting process. I lead classes where I focus on incorporating nature into the artwork, allowing my students to enter into a similar void of meditative contemplation, as they focus on representing natural elements.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
After getting a morning coffee and croissant at my favorite spot in La Mesa, S3 Coffee shop, I would drive across the bridge and spend the morning in Coronado, walking along the beach collecting sand dollars. For lunch, I’ll indulge at the Tartine close by and enjoy a delicious sandwich. I’ll then head towards La Jolla and go visit the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library. I could spend hours in there. Later, I’ll head to little Italy for a delicious Italian meal followed by some live jazz and perhaps a cocktail at Born and Raised.

Perfect Day

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shoutout to my dear friends for supporting me and helping me realize my full artistic potential. To all my friends around the world spanning from London to Los Angeles to San Diego to Brisbane, your love and encouragement has been more beneficial than any teacher/ mentor I have ever had.
I’d like to thank my beautiful friends for the love they have shown me from the beginning of my artistic career to where I am today.

Website: www.rachelberkowitzart.com

Instagram: instagram.com/rachelberkowitzart

Linkedin: rachelberkowitzart

Facebook: facebook.com/rachelberkowitzart

Image Credits
Ezequiel Paredes