About RACHEL
Hello and thank you for landing on my site! I’m a watercolor artist working in Maryland and Washington, DC. I create watercolor and gouache illustrations for personal clients and hand-lettered signage here and there for weddings and businesses. I am also an affiliate art professor at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, my alma mater! I paint a lot of portraits, houses, food and fun drinks!
How I got here:
I have loved to paint and draw my entire life. I always knew I wanted to work in the arts, but never thought I could “just be an artist.” With an interest in teaching, I studied art education and taught elementary art for DC Public Schools for three years. When my younger brother Andrew died unexpectedly in 2017, I felt so strongly that life must be filled with as much joy as possible that I decided to no longer ignore the desire to paint and draw all the time. I made a career-pivot and have been working for myself since 2018, and teaching art courses at St. Mary’s College of MD since 2021!
I’m an “extroverted introvert” who finds joy in my work, spending time with loved ones, deep conversations, painting for myself, gardening, traveling, eating good food, laughing, and the list goes on!
I’d love to hear from you. For inquiries about commissions, to ask questions or to just say hello, email me at hello@rachelheiss.com.