Meet Rachel Kaiser | Muralist, Ceramic Tilemaker, Welder, Woodcarver, Painter

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

Hi Rachel, how do you think about risk?
Taking risks is crucial if one is going to succeed in the art making world. An artist needs to be bold, imaginative, vulnerable, passionate and brave in order to express the vision they have inside of them, this is a huge risk. Artists continually risk being rejected, criticized, even laughed at, when creating art. This is risky because their art is what is inside their heart and soul. Besides the act of making art, an artist takes risks in many other forms in order to reach success.

When I was a young artist 23 years ago, I had just received my BFA in painting and was attending an art residency at The Vermont Studio Center. I was also on my way to study Black Smiting and Welding at a College in Seattle with a full ride scholarship with plans to acquire my MFA in painting right after. During this exciting time I found out I was pregnant and all my plans changed.

I took a risk. Instead of moving to Seattle, I moved to Honolulu, Hawaii with her father, a bicycle, $2,000.00, and a crew of midwives on speed dial. After giving birth to a beautiful and bright baby I was faced with the choice of what to do with my art career. Looking into my baby’s eyes I couldn’t imagine spending the time away from her I would need to do in order to acquire my MFA in painting, as it is an intensive process. I took another risk and decided to stay home with her and teach her how to make art, as well as lightly applying for commissions to pay some of the bills and work from home. I lined the walls with paper and when she was old enough to stand on her own, I set her up to the papered walls and gave her non-toxic drawing tools to make marks. She literally was learning to draw before she could walk and when I was ready to hit the art making world full time, she was fully equipped to make art right along with me in my studio.

Twenty-three years later she is studying illustration at Pacific Northwest College of Art with a scholarship. While I was raising her, I didn’t push art as a career choice for her. Instead, I viewed art as our daily practice and creative discipline. I would tell her that no matter how bad a day might be, we can always turn it around by the end of it by opening up our sketchbooks and making some art. Using some lines, color, creativity, and expression we can make a tough day easier or a good day even better.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have lived on the shores of Lake Michigan; the mountains and high plains of Montana; the beaches of Hawaii; the colorful island of Bali-Indonesia; along the Mississippi River in the drift-less region in La Crosse Wisconsin; and now in the Mohave Desert of Arizona. These areas and the experiences I have had within them are inspirations to my art. The patterns, color, texture, space, and movement I find in nature inspires the thick full form and bold bright color that is typically found in my art.

I am excited about my public and private murals and proud of the range of artistic skills I have acquired through the years. Whether I am painting, sculpting, carving, sewing, or welding, I am continuing to learn and enjoying the excitement of the process of perfecting each of them. Through a diligent daily practice, honest and consistent critique from other creatives and artists, plus a healthy dose of hustle, obsessiveness, and a stubborn drive, I have gotten to the position that I am in today. While it has not been easy, I have persevered by finding the joy in completing a challenge. Every challenge teaches me something valuable, especially when I make mistakes because then I get to figure it out. The overarching reward is understanding the lesson which gets me to the next opportunity.

Being self reliant and resourceful, I have not taken out a small business loan and instead chose to buy a small home and build equity on it. I fixed it up, lived simply, and literally made the decor I needed; whether it be artisan ceramic tiles, curtains, pillows, murals, landscaping, furniture, even a new roof.

While I am independent, I have always been a curious net worker. This curiosity has led me toward meeting wonderful mentors, peers, teachers, art-elders, and creative professionals. The lessons, connections, and conversations I have gleaned from them are priceless. These interactions have helped me sculpt my story of resilience and joy and have helped me in expressing my positivity, truth and authenticity.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
After my friend’s arrival in Lake Havasu City we would first settle in our room at The Nautical Beachfront Resort where every room has a lake view. Planning a three day stay, we would have breakfast at the resort’s delicious restaurant, Turtle Grille. We would then rent a boat with Nautical watersports and wait for our Air Chair Hydrofoil instructor, Collin Bangs, to meet us for a full day of hydrofoiling on Lake Havasu. Concluding a long day of being on the lake, we would go back and freshen up in our room and eat dinner at one of the many amazing restaurants in Lake Havasu City. My favorites are College Street Brewery, Mudshark Brewery, The KAWS, La Carcacha, Angelinas, Chao Praya or Juicy’s to name a few. After dinner it’s always relaxing to take a walk along the channel, then across The London Bridge, and onward to Barley Brothers for a nightcap before heading back to The Nautical Beachfront Resort to fall asleep to the sound of the lake. The next day we would enjoy a full day vacillating between poolside fun and lakeside enjoyment, as one can do either at The Nautical. The following morning we would start with breakfast and coffee at the best place in Lake Havasu City. Wild Coffee. My personal favorites are their avocado toast and energy infusions. Next we would treat ourselves to a full spa day at Body and Soul in Lake Havasu City. After this amazing and relaxing experience we would go back to The Nautical Beachfront Resort and rent paddle boards to enjoy along the lake before dinner at Turtle Grille. The next morning we would take a scenic drive to enjoy our next destination, Havasu Springs Resort in Parker, Arizona. This resort is on Lake Havasu’s southend and has absolutely spectacular views. The Springs restaurant is one of the best in the region and is a delightful place to enjoy the view while sipping on a cocktail and tasting any of the mouth watering items on their menu. After lunch at The Springs we would settle in our Vista Suite to savor a few days along Lake Havasu, poolside, at Havasu Springs Resort, where the sunsets are majestic.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Zoe Sevier, daughter

Ginette Pitre, mentor

Collin Bangs, husband

Paul and Joan Kaiser, parents

Lisa Autio, art professor

Peter Fletcher, art professor

Elizabeth Rice, friend

Aymie Spitzer and James Gray, friends and heads of Partners for Economic Development in Lake Havasu City

Creative Comrades, a meet-up for entrepreneurs, creative professionals and the curious in Lake Havasu City

Instagram: rachelkaiserart

Facebook: Rachel Kaiser or Kaisercreates