Today, we're speaking with Rachel Rubenstein, a mixed media painter from Los Angeles. Rachel's work is housed in several private collections throughout the USA. She has shown her work in several shows in Los Angeles and New York City.
Rachel Rubenstein's artwork explores the empowering potential of change through a combination of repeating patterns and precise mark-making. Rubenstein's art centers on the idea of transformation as a liberating force. These works are a blend of abstraction and color field techniques and they possess a powerful emotional impact. The viewer can observe the contrast between the rough, textured areas of the paintings and the smooth, consistent color & hue, creating a sense of tension on the surface.
Every Friend of Do Something Cool has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
My passion for art hit me right as I was finishing high school and had just landed a full-ride athletic scholarship to play volleyball in college. Around that time, I sold my first two paintings, and that gave me the confidence to think, "Hey, maybe I can actually do this art thing." So, after my freshman year, I quit volleyball, transferred to Pepperdine, and dove headfirst into the art world.
But life had some curveballs for me. I got mono, dealt with a stalker, battled painful acne, went through a couple of tough breakups, and ended up on disciplinary probation, which meant I couldn't study abroad as I had planned. It felt like one thing after another. Post-graduation, things got even tougher. In 2010, I was diagnosed with clinical depression.
I tried a few corporate jobs, but they just didn't fit. I kept coming back to painting, realizing that's where my heart and balance were. I learned that being an artist means practicing your craft every day, committing to it, and not just waiting for inspiration to strike. Fast forward ten years, and I've sold over 100 paintings on my own.
Please tell us more about your art.
"I LOOK AT THE CANVAS AS A FEELING BEING - I WANT THE SURFACE TO GO THROUGH SOMETHING DIFFICULT AND TO SEE IT COME OUT THE OTHER SIDE. IT'S A GENTLE REMINDER TO MYSELF TO SEE CHANGE, TO ALLOW FOR CHANGE TO HAPPEN."
Growing up in Southern California, there has never been a lack of visual inspiration. It's almost nauseating how beautiful a day on the west coast can be. I think that's why my work has turned into these delicately-abstracted nature scapes. I torture, manipulate, and destroy the canvas until it's practically transparent in certain areas. I'm interested in what's underneath the surface.
The last 10 years I've been liberating myself and accepting myself for what I believe and the way I want to live life. My artistic practice is an outward expression of this. There's been a lot of talk about synesthesia amongst artists (a neurological condition in which one experiences multiple sensory perceptions at once – like hearing the color purple). I found out about synesthesia in 2012 and I broke down in tears because I thought everyone was like this – we never talk about our perceptions because we all assume we are taking in the world the same way. Having a strong synesthetic mind can be a blessing and a hindrance, as most things are in life.
However, with my sensitivities, I can experience things richly and hold up a mirror so someone without the condition can see a reflection into what it's like. I think if you spend time in front of my work, you'll feel the heaviness and the pain but also the beauty of perseverance. Maybe you'll even hear purple!
What do you think about conditions for artists today? Has life become easier or harder for artists in recent years? What can cities like ours do to encourage and help art and artists thrive?
Honestly, I think being an artist today is a mix of both easy and hard. It's an emotional rollercoaster that can really take a toll, especially when there's so much out there to connect with and get distracted by. But if you've got a strategy, this world can be an artist's playground. There's amazing access to art supplies, other artists, and tons of platforms to share your work – it's all there if you're willing to put in the effort. It's a sweet spot for me to do work that can contribute to a meaningful cause and make a difference in some way.
Of course, it can get overwhelming, and I've definitely had moments of paralysis. You know, when negative thoughts creep in and suddenly you're feeling isolated, alone, and sliding down a never-ending spiral. What always pulls me out, though, is connecting with other artists. Sometimes, just a phone call or two can make all the difference.
As for what cities can do, they can foster community and provide spaces for artists to collaborate and showcase their work. Encouraging art education and offering grants or funding opportunities can also help artists thrive. Creating an environment where art is valued and artists feel supported can make a huge difference.
It's a sweet spot for me to do work that can contribute to a meaningful cause and make a difference in some way. For me, the subject matter matters. I feel grateful and always enjoy doing design and creative work but when you can also put those efforts toward important ideas or causes, even better. Working with Do Something Cool to provide youth access to supplies and opportunities to express themselves in their own way by creating their own art is a great example of putting this to practice.