a little backstory.
Hi! Thank you for checking out my first blog post! If you are interested in hearing more about my story, and the heart behind the studio… there’s some light reading below :) - Rachel
It was 2013. I had just graduated college and I was looking to sell my paintings in a few local shops in Alpharetta, Georgia.
I had a few friends that had mentioned to me that I should check out Sis and Moons, a local shop in downtown Alpharetta. Walking into stores and asking if they’d sell my work really didn’t intimidate me. Not sure if it’s the stand up comedy course my dad signed me up for when I was in third grade (for real) or having an entrepreneur spirit - but I loved it.
Sis and Moons was a pretty pivotal part of my journey. Chris and Wendy (the owners) welcomed me with open arms the day I walked through that door. When I mentioned I was looking for studio space.. they said “It’s a sign! Let’s bust down the walls and build out that studio space for artists we’ve been talking about!” It’s funny how stories and journeys align in that way. Or is it even funny? I think it’s on purpose.
My little corner
This is a shot of me in the studio in 2013! I have my digital prints and greetings cards on display! This picture cracks me up.
While being at Sis and Moons I discovered I loved to bring people together through art, and it started with kids. We had a weekly class and at the end of our course - we always had an art show!
Community and confidence
A shot of the kids being super proud of their masterpieces
It was amazing to me how art could could increase confidence in someone - in who they are as a person. In kids, it makes them stand taller. It makes them speak up a little louder. Especially in a group setting - being proud of what YOU created and sharing that with others.
One of the last days at the Studio with the owners Chris and Wendy, and my first art students Daley and Ellie!
Making my way to Texas
The hardest part of moving from Georgia to Austin, TX was honestly saying good bye to Sis and Moons. The young girls I had created with had such a special place in my heart and I was watching them grow up! But something in my spirit wanted to just FLY somewhere new (well… drive) and start a new adventure. So I drove out to Austin, TX in 2014!
Working in the tech space seemed super interesting to me. Something fast paced… being in meetings.. traveling for work? Was that even possible? It all seemed new and exciting. I ended up working in Event Marketing for an amazing company (WP Engine) for almost 7 years. From there I got to travel the world and work with amazing people. I still created art on the side, and would have people over a wine and paint night (what we started to call “Ray Ray with a Twist”)
Moments on the Porch
Picture of an original Ray Ray with A Twist event on my front porch. Julio in the back even bought me paint and brushes after hearing I used to teach!
I had put art and teaching and bringing people together in a box when I moved to Austin. It’s not necessarily a bad thing either - I wanted to try something new. But it kept coming up for me year after year, I REALLY miss this. I really love this. So I continued to do it sometimes on the side. Doing art workshop started to really stick in my mind when I started to do it at the companies I worked for. People loved it. Could this be a possibility to do FULL TIME? But what about doing what you love as a job? Don’t people say, don’t do that and to let passions be your passion? Who is they anyway??
All of 2023 leading up to August, I felt a tug on my spirit to dive into art full time and I didn’t quite know how. I started reading books that were leading me in this direction to begin (The War of Art) and the POWER of having a GROWTH mindset (Mindset by Carol Dwek). Maybe getting older you see time differently. Being proud of how I was spending my finite resource of time began to be important to me, and it was driving me crazy not being 100% proud of how I was spending my time in my current (then) role. Luckily for me, the last company I was working for and I parted ways a bit unexpectedly. It was the kick I needed honestly and I am THANKFUL! I was able to get the Cherrywood Treehouse space a few weeks later!
Gotta clean the glass - but an artsy shot in the door, why not! This is the front door to the Cherrywood Treehouse Art Studio!
My assistant
Chip is usually around in the studio! And he’s made this his favorite napping spot.
I can’t wait to write more and share more along this entrepreneurial journey I’m on. The part that gets me is that throughout this journey, God knew this would be happening in my life. There are a lot of pieces that are not coincidence and not by chance. It’s a wonderful ride!
