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"God is the most subtle of designers.
The artist works to bring something of the excitement of this
design and form in the natural world to the attention of all
viewers, so that our vision of even the mundane may be changed."
Rachel Collins considers herself a realistic
painter of nature's abstract form. She grew up in a home in
New York State where her mother taught oil painting, design
and composition, but did not pursue art on her own until many
years later, after a first career serving as a librarian at
the Baha'i World Centre in Haifa, Israel. Upon her return
to the States in 1990, an interest in natural science illustration
led her to an internship in the Department of Entomology at
the Museum of Natural History. But eventually watercolor,
originally taken up as a once-a-week hobby in Israel, became
her primary medium. Her interest in natural science subjects
has continued, but with a fine arts focus. Her paintings have
earned recognition and awards on the regional and national
level, and are frequently included in nationally competitive
watercolor exhibits. Many of her paintings may be seen at
her website: http://members.cox.net/rbcollins/
.
Rachel Collins is a signature member
of the National Watercolor Society, the Watercolor USA Honor
Society, and the Transparent Watercolor Society of America,
and served as president of the Potomac Valley Watercolorists
from 2003 to 2005. She teaches classes and workshops in watercolor
in the Washington metro area, elsewhere in the U.S., and abroad.
Outside the visual art world, she plays the bassoon and currently
serves as chairman of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is
of Mount Vernon, Virginia.
Classes and Workshops in the Washington
area:
At The Art League, Alexandria,
VA:
Watercolor from Start to Finish:
a nine-week course for beginner and intermediate painters,
offered in 4 sessions per year
Workshops:
Jumpstart in Watercolor Essentials
Painting Nature Up Close in Watercolor
At The Yellow Barn Studio and Gallery,
Glen Echo. MD:
Weekend workshops:
Watercolor Essentials
Know Your Watercolor Palette
Painting Nature Up Close in Watercolor
Still Life in Watercolor
Glazing in Watercolor
Negative Painting: a Real Plus for Watercolorists
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