When an idea strikes me...I am so impatient. I want to drop everything and paint. I want to run to my art studio and begin. Most times I can't abandon everything but as the day progresses, I let the idea grow. Finally when I sit down in my art studio, I feel an energy. I don't know if the energy comes from the creative process or the table which is in my art studio (maybe both)...The table was in my grandma's kitchen. I remember playing there as a child. It was bright orange back then; I have since refinished it in white. I always felt safe as a child at Grandma's....safe to imagine and create. I remember being six, and painting several pictures to sell. (I wanted some pennies to go to the general store.) She bought several and I remember finding them years later in her treasure drawer. My family has always supported my dreams and that table is a tangible reminder of their love.

One of my greatest accomplishments is the private show I did with my father, Richard Beck, who also paints watercolors. When I stopped teaching elementary school, my father also retired from his career in the medical industry. Since that time we have worked together to support and pursue our art goals. We paint together weekly and take several trips each year to gather subject matter for our works. I wouldn't be able to do any art without the support of my mom, dad, and husband.
My dad's store is rbwatercolors on etsy

When I first started painting I thought all my watercolor marks had to be smooth and perfect. Now I purposely let the paints dictate the outcome. Watercolors are an interesting medium where the ratio of water to paint and the timing of when you add them to the paper can yield unexpected results. The artists I admire have lost edges and areas that are undeveloped. I think this is a great metaphor for life...not everything has to be perfect, defined, controlled, and neat.

Sometimes my artwork comes together magically; each wash complimenting the piece. Other times it takes scrubbing, lifting, scratching, redrawing, to get successful results. Either way the painting evolves, I only know at the end if I achieved something great or if I need to try the painting again.

I have two shops; ONE with original watercolors, notecards, landscapes, holiday prints as well as animal and bird prints (which are great for nurseries.)
http://www.rachellelevingston.etsy.com

THE SECOND shop has original acrylics, mix media pieces as well as some prints.
http://www.1000paintedtrees.etsy.com