Rachael Hartin was born (1992) and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas before she eventually moved to Dallas, Texas almost a decade ago. After working in corporate America for the last 10 years, she reignited her need for art and began her self-taught journey.
How did you get into art?
Growing up I was always a visually creative person... either painting, working on an altered journal, graffiti, photography. However, after my teenage years, I somehow got lost in the daily hustle and bustle of what was “expected” of me. At age 30, I started to take inventory of my life and realized that I hadn’t had a creative outlet in years, and I knew that had to change. However, the realization was slow. It all started with a coffee table. I had been shopping for a new coffee table for about a year, but everything I loved was just much more expensive than I was willing to pay… so I eventually just made my own. After that, the floodgates opened. Then it was a stool, a tv stand, some artwork. When I started to paint again, I remembered how much of an emotional outlet it was for me and never want to forget that again!
How would you describe your style? What makes your art special?
I live in a high rise with a complete view of downtown Dallas, so I find so much inspiration from the rhythms of city life while conveying a deep yearning for the tranquility of nature back home in Arkansas. Combining minimal and masculine with natural shapes captures the essence of nature while maintaining a clean aesthetic.
How do you go about developing your work?
Trial and Error! Since I am just now returning to the creative world, I feel like I just have so many ideas but I am still learning how to properly convey them. After starting off working with primarily texture and some 3D, but now primary work with acrylic, heavy body gel medium, and soft pastels. I usually have an idea of what I want before I start, but 9/10 it usually changes once I get the first layer down. 
Who or what influences you?
Anything really. From the shapes on my exposed concrete ceilings, bird shit on the sidewalk, lightning storms, glass reflections, sunbursts coming through the windows, ect. Tapping into my creative side has allowed my brain to see the most mundane things differently.
What are you planning to do next?
Next up is a 16ft feature wall at The Case Building in Deep Ellum. I am also working on a collection to be sold at AF Home Interiors. My next goal is to have gallery representation. 
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