Rachel Steely (James) has always been drawn to natural, organic objects and chooses to portray them with oil on textured surfaces. Often, she presents her subject in “dynamic still life” with a shift of time through movement or growth-decay. Steely is originally from the rust-belt city of Rockford, Illinois. She left the manufacturing town to study fine art at Asbury College and find inspiration among the rolling hills and forests of rural Kentucky. Although consistently representational, she strives to create subtlety layered visual and philosophical metaphors. In 2005, Steely returned to the country’s heartland where she was active in the local art community of Indianapolis, Indiana. Eventually, Rachel ventured west to Montana where she currently resides in Bigfork, Montana.
“Through painting and drawing, I attempt to create subtle metaphors layer by layer in order that I might achieve a greater understanding of the natural world.”
A little more about me
The odor of turpentine and linseed oil permeates the air as I focus on connecting what I see to the board in front of me. Maybe the odor is not appealing, but I enjoy painting and drawing to achieve a greater understanding of both the world that we live in and the God who created it. My goal in life is to discover more about God through his creation, orient the trajectory of my life toward His will, and communicate to others through raising questions and presenting ideas. I want to initiate thought in individuals who I relate to and view the art that I present.
You can connect with me on the following social networks though email is preferred for art-related business.
You may have seen my artwork at:
- Bigfork Festival for the Arts, 2020
- ADC Fine Art (Art Design Consultants), Cincinnati, OH
- Malton Gallery, Cincinnati, OH, 2012-2017
- Art Comes Alive, Art Design Consultants, 2012
- Arts Council of Indianapolis Public Art, 2010-2011, street level 10′x36′ banner
- Oranje 2009, Indianapolis, Indiana
- Indy Fringe Festival 2009, Henry’s on East, Indianapolis, Indiana
- Black & White, 2009, Dean Johnson Gallery, Indianapolis, Indiana
- A Perfect Communion, 2008, Wug Laku’s Studio & Garage, Indianapolis, Indiana
- Elegant Funk, 2008, Wug Laku’s Studio & Garage, Indianapolis, Indiana
I live in Indianapolis, Indiana with my husband, Stephen. I love to take macro-photography of textures, read books, travel overseas, and listen to lectures and classic literature. My guilty pleasure is a British mystery novel. My favorite artist is the German Romanticist, Caspar David Friedrich.
My husband and I were able to make it into the exclusive nature preserve, Lake O’Hara, in the Canadian Rockies on short notice by arriving a few hours early.
This is what I am drawing in the above photograph.