Meet Rachel Hausmann-schall

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Rachel Hausmann-schall. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Rachel, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.

As an artist, I believe that it’s essential to keep yourself fulfilled with lots of stimuli – books, tv shows, movies, podcasts, events, music, etc. It’s important to always be looking at things and taking notice of what catches your eye. A fellow educator I worked with for many years always said, “Pay attention to what you pay attention to.” That has always stuck with me. I think it means that you should try to understand what types of things you are drawn to, because that’s most likely what inspires you. It could be the way a shadow dances on the floor, how the corner of a room comes together, or perhaps the shape of the moon or the texture of fall leaves crunching beneath your feet. It can be really difficult to slow down and take a second to pay attention to these things, but I feel like I’m always trying to hone in on my observation skills, and that includes a lot of looking, listening, and contemplating. I also keep myself inspired by looking at other artists’ work on Instagram, researching topics I find interesting, and thinking about new ways to combine materials in my artwork. It’s also incredibly important to make time to see art in real life. I enjoy going to galleries, events, and museums. All of those types of things “fill my cup” and keep my creative juices flowing.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I am a visual artist, writer, and educator. I work mostly in the medium of collage and I’m very interested in pushing the limits of what that means or how we define collage. So, some of my finished works take shape as paintings, sculptures, or prints. I enjoy the complication and challenge that brings. I have been an exhibiting artist for over 10 years, and I show mainly around midwest. I am excited to have my work included in an exhibition at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design in early 2025 that includes artists from the past 10 years of the Bridge Work program. The Bridge Work program, organized by Plum Blossom Initiative, provides professional development, education, structure, and exposure to promising young artists outside of a traditional higher education model.

I’m from Wisconsin and another thing I’m passionate about is the art scene here. I love connecting with other artists, especially those from Wisconsin or the midwest, and learning about the work they are making. Connecting with other creatives is also the reason I began writing. I recently became co-editor of Artdose Magazine, an independent print and digital visual arts magazine committed to connecting and supporting the visual arts in the midwest.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

I think that three things that have proved over and over again to be important–no matter what line of work someone is in–is communication, authenticity, and determination. It’s hard to know how to “learn” these things, but I think it’s more about discovering what it is you really want in life, and what you care most about. I think that connecting with others and learning life from alternative perspectives has really helped me further develop these qualities in myself. I appreciate when I can sense another person is tenacious and dedicated to their practice. I think a lot of these skills are gained simply through life experience. I work at a small museum in Wausau, WI, and prior to my role there, I worked in a high school in Milwaukee. Through those jobs, I have interacted with many different types of audiences and that’s been quite impactful on the way I operate as an artist. My advice to people in the early stages of their career is to not sleep on the opportunities to connect and network with other professionals in your field and to treat others with respect. You can really learn a lot from someone who is willing to have a conversation with you, share resources, or offer a helping hand.

What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?

In 2024, I really wanted to exhibit my artwork at museums and galleries that I hadn’t worked with previously. I focused on applying to lots of opportunities–specifically exhibitions that I hadn’t been a part of before. I also wanted to sell more of my work. I achieved both of these goals and ended up exceeding my own expectations. I remember an artist saying once that they try to apply to at least one thing a month (residency, exhibition, art fair, etc) and I’ve tried to model that same idea. Because I also work a full-time job, I have to balance the opportunities I take on. In 2024, I doubled the amount of exhibitions I participated in compared to 2023, and I sold the most work I’ve ever sold in my artistic career. I saw first-hand how important it is to remain dedicated to seeking out opportunities and the impact that can have on my career.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://rhausmannschall.com
• Instagram: @hoorachel
• Other: Mentioned in the article:
  

  Artdose Magazine

  
  https://bridge-work.org/
  https://www.plumblossominitiative.org/

Image Credits

Photos courtesy of the artist