HELLO

ABOUT ME

My name is Rae Wilson (she/they)

I am a visual storyteller from central Illinois now living in Phoenix, Arizona with my spouse and our two rambunctious pups, Lennon and Luther. I came out of the womb a creative child and as the baby of the family I had plenty of time alone with endless art supplies. At ten years old my mother enrolled me into weekend Bob Ross painting classes at hobby lobby. My love for creating followed me through my school years as I drew front to back on every school assignment, volunteered to finish my peers art projects and eventually charged them 5 bucks per drawing. It was a simpler time. After graduating from high school in 2013 I attended Columbia College Chicago majoring in Interior Architecture and minoring In cultural studies. My time there was short lived as I discovered I lacked passion both in architecture and schooling. After my walk of shame back to my hometown and childhood bedroom I stumbled upon canvases and tubes of paint from my childhood - it was then that my passion for painting began. I would prop the canvas up against my wall, light a candle and pray for something good to come out of it, and sometimes it did. I am grateful to my early customers that encouraged my journey.

 In may of 2016 while dining at a local restaurant the general manager overheard that I was an artist and that began my journal into murals. I drafted my first contract and by August 1st I had completed eight 3ftx3ft alcove paintings lining the walls of the business. I would go on to intern for a mural arts organization, maintain employment with them, and develop a skill in portraiture. Since those earlier days I have furthered my development of those skills and practices through mentorship, classes, and professional training. In 2022 I completed a 6ftx6ft canvas painting for a Starbucks retail location in Chicago, IL and have been sharing my work in local exhibitions and coffee shops. In 2024 I am looking forward to exploring new themes in my studio and creating spaces of opportunity for folks who wish to learn the art of painting.

A key part of my painting process is my commitment to painting through all phases of the piece. Each layer of the canvas has value and it makes for a fun challenge to limit erasing and backtracking. This regular practice of mine has been instrumental in creating pieces that always have a story to tell.
All of my visions of how I want to compose an idea include the placement of a circle. It could be one, two, or too many to count..
I believe in the magic of earth and use plants, fruits, insects, etc… to symbolize that. Nature has an incredible way with color and geometry, and that appreciation birthed my current theme of Imaginative Nature and my exploration of the Significance of Circles.