We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Rachel Silva. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Rachel below.
Rachel , sincerely appreciate your selflessness in agreeing to discuss your mental health journey and how you overcame and persisted despite the challenges. Please share with our readers how you overcame. For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.
I think it takes a lot of strength and vulnerability to speak about mental health issues that we have personally struggled with. I’m very open about raising awareness in mental health issues to help ease some of the stigma associated with these topics. I will say on a personal level, I have struggled with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, self-harm, and other mental health issues pretty much my entire life. I still struggle with some of these issues daily and I don’t think there is any real “win” or “overcoming” it – it’s about doing the work despite the struggle and working through the issues.
For instance, when I start feeling extreme anxiety about something I stop myself in the moment – recognize what is happening, hold space for that feeling, and carry on. For me, this works most of the time and everyone handles things differently, but acknowledging the feeling and giving it a voice, sitting with it for a bit, then releasing it has helped me more times than I know.
Depression is a bit trickier and can take me days or even weeks to pull myself out. That’s why painting, music, and writing have been a lifesaver for me.
In May 2023, I wanted to challenge myself to paint a series of my interpretation of some mental health issues I’ve struggled with. May is mental health awareness month, and it also happens to be the month my mother passed away in 2018, it’s also my birthday month so there are always a lot of difficult and beautiful memories and emotions going on for me in May. I completed 6 pieces based on anxiety, self-harm, body dysmorphia/eating disorders, depression, PTSD, and I wanted to end the series with my take on tranquility. I was honored when the tranquility piece “Better Days” was selected to be in a gallery exhibit and was purchased by one of my favorite repeat clients!
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I’m Rachel Silva, a self-taught mixed media abstract artist and I work mostly with a variety of acrylics. I started doing this to cope with the enormous loss of when my mother passed away. I’ve always dabbled with writing – short stories, poetry, thoughts, even a school play back when I was in middle school, but I have never painted or drawn before. I found something very cathartic about being able shut my brain off and create something interesting. I love experimenting with different colors, textures, and techniques to further my talent and push my own boundaries.
I have some amazing repeat clients and enjoy when someone connects with one of my pieces and tells me how much it means to them. In the almost 5 years that I’ve been doing this I have been fortunate to say that several of my art pieces are all over the United States – Texas, Michigan, Ohio, California, Washington, New Mexico, and Colorado!
Even though I love my clients, this artistic journey will always be for me first and foremost. There is so much fulfillment from this passion in my life that I never knew was missing previously.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
My advice to someone starting out would be: 1. Practice as much as possible and do not be afraid to mess up, it’s how we learn.
2. Use as much resources as you are able to keep fresh ideas to inspire your creativity but also your business skills. The two absolutely go hand in hand.
3. Don’t be afraid to get messy & having fun when creating – some of the best work I’ve done has been by just playing around!
4. Be relentless in your passion and stand by what you create.
I’m constantly learning and creating as I go but I’ve been fortunate to have so many wonderful artists who have taken time to give me valuable insights or play a sounding board to the chaos in my head! I think having other artists support me, has been the best quality.
Some of the best advice I’ve received has also been the simplest – stick to creating and don’t stop! Another dear friend recently told me that I shouldn’t downplay my art and have confidence in my abilities, and I definitely took that to heart. I have a tendency to sometimes sell myself short and those words really resonated with me.
Tell us what your ideal client would be like?
My ideal clients are the ones that trust my vision and allow me the space of total creativity. I always get the question: “Do you do custom requests?” I always say not in the traditional sense, but I will do color requests, size, but it’s my vision in the end that gets put out there. If they are looking for something like a portrait, realism, or something very specific – I point them to other amazing artists that I know that can help them with their needs! Supporting other creatives in all different styles, mediums, talent, skill level – is something I’m very passionate about so putting them into contact with a client that is looking for a specific request is something I jump on!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rachelsilva.art
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rs_artstuff
Image Credits
Studio photos: Whispering Willow Photography
