We had the good fortune of connecting with Raquel Treichel and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Raquel, career-wise, where do you want to be in the end?
My end goal is to have my own art studio/gallery space, where I would make it an affordable spot for up-and-coming artists to display their work, and would donate admission proceeds to various local art charities and youth art programs. I have found that as an artist on social media, galleries will reach out through Instagram and other means to offer their services and space, but that typically comes with a high display cost. Amateur artists eat this high price up-front or substantial commission percentage because they view it as a way to get their name or work out there to be seen. I believe we could use more spaces for young artists that are affordable, reputable, and have a large community presence to assist them in achieving their creative endeavors.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I always found it interesting how a lot of artists develop a ‘style’ or a subject matter that they hold onto and perfect. For me it was never this way. I get bored, restless. I jump from medium to medium, subject to subject, abstract to traditional. I feel like I am still finding a voice and my niche. However, I believe viewers can perceive this journey in my artwork and can relate to the chaos and uncertainty. I am excited to evolve and see where the future takes me and my creative work.

Any great local spots you’d like to shoutout?
One of my favorite spots in Phoenix, Arizona is Cosanti Originals, a gallery, studio, and once home of Italian-American architect Paolo Soleri. It is a bit hidden outside of downtown, nestled in an unassuming neighborhood. The buildings are hunkered into the earth, and sculptural Soleri wind-bells line the ceilings. The chimes they produce in the dome space is magical. It is free to go and walk around, and is a fun place to stop with a visitor and friend.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to thank two groups of people that helped me keep the arts as a forefront endeavor throughout my life. There was the technical group – art teachers, professors – that would take the extra time and attention to give personalized tips, tricks and advice to help me move my skill forward. But there were also the people growing up that got excited when they saw me draw. Friends, family, co-workers, strangers even, that would light up and exclaim, “Did you draw that?!” Why yes, yes I did. The enthusiasm did not go un-noticed, in fact it pushed me to keep creating even when the little voice (in the back of all artist’s minds) says that they are unskilled, untalented. We are in fact our harshest critic, so thank you to everyone who gave an extra glance at what the quiet kid was scratching into her notebook in the back of the class.

Instagram: www.instagram.com/raqcityart

Image Credits
Michael Timm

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