Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Gardner.
Rachel, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Growing up as a competitive soccer player, most of my time was spent on the field — in practices, tournaments, and traveling for games. Yet even then, I was always drawn to creating. I loved working with my dad out in the garage, painting scraps of wood and building things with my hands. Art was always there, even if it had to wait on the sidelines.
When I entered college, I began taking art courses and immediately knew I had found what felt right. Creating came naturally, and I discovered the same sense of drive and focus I’d always had in athletics. While playing college soccer, I suffered a severe injury that ended my athletic career. That loss was difficult, but it redirected my energy and discipline fully into art. I poured myself into the studio the same way I once did into training.
After earning my BFA, I taught elementary art for two years. Teaching young students was incredibly rewarding, but I soon realized I wanted to push my own art further and teach at a higher level. That led me to pursue my MFA at Houston Christian University.
Today, I’m an art professor at Houston Christian University, where I have the privilege of working with both graduate and undergraduate artists. My work has been shown in exhibitions across the United States and internationally, and I continue to show with Foltz Fine Art Gallery and Cindy Lisica Gallery.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My journey as an artist has not been linear. It has not been a smooth road, and I certainly haven’t always been told “yes.” But I believe the setbacks and challenges along the way have shaped me into a stronger, more resilient artist — and person. Each experience, whether success or struggle, has pushed me to grow, adapt, and stay true to my creative vision.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a mixed media artist who is continually exploring new materials, methods, and processes. I like to challenge myself by experimenting with different concepts and approaches, allowing my work to evolve and take on new forms. I enjoy working both large and small, finding that each scale offers unique opportunities for expression and discovery.
I have two upcoming solo exhibits. One will be an installation at Foltz Fine Art Gallery in the window for Street Seen Volume II – Whispers of The Wild: Shadows and Light opening January 10th at 5pm. Then I have a solo exhibit at College of The Mainland titled Voices of Nature opening February 26th. I am also involved in various upcoming group shows that I will continue to post about of my social media.
What does success mean to you?
I define success as staying true to myself and continuing to create the work I feel called to share with the world. For me, it’s about making art that communicates something genuine — something that resonates. Success also means creating in a way that connects with others, inviting shared experiences, emotions, and understanding through the work itself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rachelgardnerart.com
- Instagram: @rgardner87
- Facebook: Rachel Schwind Gardner
Image Credits
Photos taken by the artist
