During the month of January 2019, Rachael Gonzalez was selected to be a part of the fifth annual exhibit 30x30x30 at Var Gallery in Milwaukee. This show asks 30 artists to make one piece of artwork every single day for 30 days.
Gonzalez formulated her 30x30 according to three parts of 10 each:
Part One: Creator/Birth/Creation
Part Two: Life/Living/Nurture/Nature
Part Three: Death/Destruction/Destroyer
The following are the works as they were created. The opening reception event can be found here April 26, 2019 5-10pm at Var Gallery Milwaukee, Wisc.
6”x6” acrylic on panel 1.2.19 #30x30x30 #vargallery
a new moon, painted on the first day of a new year, signaling the beginning of a new cycle where everything seems possible but even the light is resting
For sale at Var Gallery April 26th- June 15th 2019
6”x6” acrylic on panel 1.2.19 #30x30x30 #vargallery
Water is Life.
For sale at Var Gallery April 26th- June 15th 2019
6”x6” acrylic on panel 1.3.19 #30x30x30 #vargallery
Today I am thinking about the bulbs sleeping in their dark beds. We plant them in the fall so they are prepared to bloom the moment their little ‘eggs’ incubate in warm spring dirt. Does it all begin with the seed? Who plants the seed? Am I the seed or am I the root? Is birth the moment of planting, or is it when I shed my little seed-coat and crane my neck toward the sun?
For sale at Var Gallery April 26th- June 15th 2019
6”x6” acrylic on panel 1.4.19 #30x30x30 #vargallery
incubator, womb for all things, but also the place where we plant and where we deposit our dead and where decay becomes fertile and births again- creation is a hard thing to chase with a paintbrush because it resembles the dead the harder you squint at it
For sale at Var Gallery April 26th- June 15th 2019
6”x6” acrylic on panel 1.5.19 #30x30x30 #vargallery
For as long as we have seen, have we not gazed up at the sky?
For sale at Var Gallery April 26th- June 15th 2019
6”x6” acrylic on panel 1.6.19 #30x30x30 #vargallery
In the first part of this series, I’m thinking about birth narratives and creation and the images we associate with such. There’s the obvious images and stories we tell, of course, but birth and death exist around us and in us every day in ways we often don’t acknowledge. In traditional Chinese medicine, the first phase of the life cycle is ruled by wood- it signifies creation because it is the phase where new life takes form and becomes something else, a metamorphosis of nothing/mystery into something/tangible. Wood emerges from the undivided Whole and gives rise to the seperation of individual forms (Reichstein). Trees also feature in so many of our creation stories, from the Tree of life to the tree of Eden. During Yuletime, we bring evergreen trees and boughs ( descent from a pagan tradition ) into our homes because they invoke the birth of the light and allow us to remember its return during winter. The returning sunlight that grows each day after the winter solstice is the start of a new cycle, the birth of a new year where everything is possible and growth is inevitable.
For Sale at Var Gallery April 26th-June 15th 2019
6”x6” acrylic on panel 1.7.19 #30x30x30 #vargallery
We’re taught to fear fire. Especially in the last few years, across the West we have seen the devastation and the tragedy fire can bring. But behind it’s power and mystery and destruction is life-giving properties which deserve an honoring of it’s own. Here in the Midwest, prairie fires play a crucial role in a healthy ecosystem- fire slows the invasion of wind blown seeds and trees and creates boundaries where everyone has the space and light and water to grow. Fire also speeds decomposition, returning nutrients to the soil that encourage speedier germination. I think back to my meditation on the bulb, and everything it needs while sleeping in the earth. Fire is a mother, is a quiet nourisher.
For sale at Var Gallery April 26th-June 15 2019
6”x6” acrylic on panel 1.8.19
#30x30x30 #vargallery
When we lived in Mexico, my husband and I bought an incredible painting from an artist on the street (whose name completely escapes me right now...). It’s black and white painted and printed images of skeletons and anthropomorphic humanoids leaping and lunging through the air in a spiral dance. It’s one of my favorite pieces because every time I look at it, I notice something new. One thing my husband saw before I did, was that the creatures were spiraling on the back of a giant turtle.
We’ve all heard the folktales about turtles, but there are also many creation stories from across the globe that feature turtles as the carriers of the world. Hindu mythology, Chinese mythology, North American mythology all feature the idea that we are carried by a godlike turtle through the cosmos. In North America, there is a story explaining eclipses from the Iroquois; “There is still talk," (said they) "of a very remarkable darkening of the Sun, which was supposed to have happened because the great turtle which upholds the earth, in changing its position or place, brought its shell before the Sun, and thus deprived the world of sight.” I love the idea of a universal mother turtle, keeping us safe.
6”x6” acrylic on panel 1.9.19
#30x30x30 #vargallery
6”x6” goldleaf on panel 1.10.19 #30x30x30 #vargallery
“Ô, Sunlight! The most precious gold to be found on earth!” —Roman Payne
6”x6” acrylic on panel 1.11.19
Part two explores imagery related to life, living, and nourishment.
6”x6” acrylic on panel 1.2019
6”x6” acrylic on panel 1.2019
6”x6” acrylic on panel 1.2019
6”x6” acrylic on panel 1.2019
6”x6” acrylic on panel 1.2019
6”x6” acrylic on panel 1.2019
6”x6” acrylic on panel 1.2019
6”x6” acrylic on panel 1.2019
6”x6” acrylic on panel 1.2019
January 11-20, 2019
6”x6” acrylic on panel 1.2019
#30x30x30 #vargallery
Cockroaches are much hated, misunderstood beings because they are creatures of darkness, surviving and thriving in places and scenarios that would kill most others. Cockroaches don’t fear the dark, and they don’t fear the end- In fact, it is thought that cockroaches will still be here long after we are gone. Across cultures and stories, we see the common theme that darkness is the place we meet unknown/mystery. Darkness is the ending of day, it is the beginning of day, it is winter, it is sleep. Renewal. Magic. You could say that cockroaches represent both resilience and renewal. they hold a place in our ecosystem as recyclers. They help break down this organic debris; in the process, they add nutrients to the soil through their waste, and exist as a food source for small animals. There’s a common theme throughout this work as I think about what I am making, the spirals we live with from birth to death. The Ouroboros; I eat you, now you eat me. We cannot exist without one another, even the smallest creature in the dark.
6”x6” acrylic on panel 1.2019
#30x30x30 #vargallery
Mushrooms are the grandmothers and recyclers of our ecosystem, creating new life from decay.
6”x6” acrylic on panel 1.2019
#30x30x30 #vargallery
Flowers are presented at funerals for they represent the soul, temporarily filling the void left by the departed with fragrant, ephemeral beauty.
6”x6” acrylic on panel 1.2019
6”x6” acrylic on panel 1.2019
6”x6” acrylic on panel 1.2019
6”x6” acrylic on panel 1.2019
6”x6” acrylic on panel 1.2019
6”x6” acrylic on panel, 2019
6”x6”, acrylic on panel, 2019
The whole 30
(29/30 have been reworked but the rest remain as created)
Most recent works available. Please email for inquiries.
5”x3”, acrylic on panel, 2018.
8”x8”, acrylic on panel, started in 2009; updated in 2018.
4”x4”, acrylic on panel, started in 2010; updated in 2018.
4”x4”, acrylic on panel, 2018.
6”x6”, acrylic on panel, 2018.
Sold to private collector.
During the first half of 2018, RMG moved from Chicago IL to Mexico City, Mexico. This move provided an opportunity to study spanish, the local methods of folk healing as well as north american herbal medicine, energy healing, and to focus on daily creative practices.
These works were created while residing in Mexico City, and feature life in Mexico City as well as some travels to the countryside.
Please see store for available works.
8”x8”, acrylic on panel, 2018, Mexico.
please see store for available works.
8”x8”, acrylic on panel, 2018, Mexico.
please see store for available works.
8”x10”, acrylic on panel, 2018, Mexico.
please see store for available works.
8”x8”, acrylic on panel, 2018, Mexico.
please see store for available works.
8”x8”, acrylic on panel, 2018, Mexico.
please see store for available works.
8”x10”, acrylic on panel, 2018, Mexico.
please see store for available works.
8”x8”, acrylic on panel, 2018, Mexico.
please see store for available works.
12x9”, acrylic on panel, 2018, Mexico.
please see store for available works.
8”x10”, acrylic on panel, 2018, Mexico.
please see store for available works.
8”x8”, acrylic on panel, 2018, Mexico.
please see store for available works.
8”x10”, acrylic on panel, 2018, Mexico.
please see store for available works.
12x9”, graphite on gesso’d panel, 2018, Mexico.
please see store for available works.
12”x9”, acrylic on panel, 2018, Mexico.
please see store for available works.
18"x24" graphite on paper 2016.
please email for inquiries.
18"x24" graphite on paper 2016
please email for inquiries.
18"x24", graphite on paper, 2017
please email for inquiries.
18"x24", graphite on paper, 2017
please email for inquiries.
18"x24", graphite on paper, 2017
please email for inquiries.
18"x24", graphite on paper, 2017
please email for inquiries.
Drypoint print on paper, 2017
NFS.
drypoint on paper, 2017
NFS.
Series: Night Scene
A conversation after dark.
Available for sale and show. Works priced individually.
5"x7" x1", acrylic on panel, 2016.
Sold to private collector.
13"x11" x"1, acrylic on panel, 2016.
please see store for available works.
8"x8" x1", acrylic on panel, 2016.
please see store for available works.
8"x8" x1", acrylic on panel, 2016.
please see store for available works.
12'x12" x"1, acrylic on panel, 2016.
please see store for available works.
6"x6"" x1", acrylic on panel, 2016. Series: Night Scene.
Sold to private collector.
6"x6" x1", acrylic on panel, 2016. Series: Night Scene.
Sold to private collector.
4"x4" x1", acrylic on panel, 2016.
please see store for available works.
8"x8" x1", acrylic on panel, 2016.
please see store for available works.
6"x8" x1", acrylic on panel, 2016. Series: Night Scene.
Sold to private collector.
5"x7" x"1, acrylic on panel, 2016.
please see store for available works.
6" tondo x1", acrylic on panel, 2016.
please see store for available works.
6"x8" x1", acrylic on panel, 2016.
Sold to private collector.
6"x6" x"1, acrylic on panel, 2016.
please see store for available works.
9.5"x6" x2" (house-shaped), acrylic on wood, 2016.
Sold to private collector.
17"x17" acrylic on panel, 2016. Made by request for Tim Lowly 's exhibit La Mer | La Mère (The Mother | The Sea), a Lowly exhibition with 20 participants / collaborators at St. Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN. (September 6 – 30, 2016) and at St. Mary’s University, Winona, MN (October 10 – November 12, 2016). See timlowly.com .
not for sale.
RMG has a long history of almost daily sketchbook practice, starting in 2005. She had a show of her sketchbooks in Carlson Tower Gallery at North Park University circa 2008.
In addition to daily sketchbook practice, her creative process also involves photo taking with digital, polaroid and 35 mm cameras, keeping extensive diaries, life drawing, and zine writing.
This is a small selection of more recent entries.
Selected Work 2012-2015
please email to inquire about available works; include the title of the piece you are interested in.
5"x7", acrylic on panel, 2012.
5"x7", acrylic on wood, 2013.
12"x12", acrylic on wood, 2012.
10"x10", acrylic on wood, 2013.
12"x12", acrylic on wood, 2012.
12"x12", acrylic on wood, 2012/13.
2'x4', acrylic on wood, 2012.
4"x6" unframed, charcoal and chalk on paper, 2013.
8"x10", acrylic on panel, 2014.
12"x12", acrylic on panel, 2013.
16"x16", acrylic on wood, 2014
whereabouts unknown
3"x4", acrylic on wood, 2013.
5"x7" unframed, acrylic on paper, 2012.
5"x7", acrylic on panel, 2013. (SOLD)
5"x7", acrylic on panel, 2013.
10"x10", acrylic on wood, 2013.
10"x10", acrylic on wood, 2013.
4"x4", acrylic on panel, 2013.
acrylic on 3 dimensional piece of wood, 2015.
This work is no longer available as is because it was updated in 2018.
acrylic on 3 dimensional piece of wood, 2015.
This work is no longer available as is because it was updated in 2018.
oil on wood, 2015.
Selected Work 2009-2012
Post-undergraduate work on paper and wood.
please email to inquire about available works; include the title of the piece you are interested in.
6"x6", acrylic on panel, 2009. (SOLD)
16"x16", acrylic on wood, 2009.
16"x20", acrylic on panel, 2009.
14"x2-", mixed media on wood, 2009. (SOLD)
12"X20", mixed media on wood, 2009.
6'x3', mixed media on wooden door, 2009. (SOLD)
16"x20", mixed media on panel, 2009. (SOLD)
4"x4", acrylic on panel, 2009. (SOLD)
6"x6", acrylic on panel, 2010. (SOLD)
6" tondo, acrylic on wood, 2010.
Currently not available- on display at ART BAR Milwaukee WI October 2018-December 2018
8"x8", acrylic on panel, 2010. This work was updated and revised in 2018.
Currently not available- on display at ART BAR Milwaukee WI October 2018-December 2018
6"x6", chalk and acrylic on panel, 2010.
4"x4", acrylic on panel, 2009. (SOLD)
10"x10", acrylic on panel, 2009. (SOLD)
2"x3", acrylic on wood, 2010. (SOLD)
4"x6" unframed, graphite on paper, 2009.
acrylic on wood, 2010.
This work is not currently available as is, it was divided and updated in 2018.
5"x7", chalk and gesso on board, 2011.
5" oval, acrylic on board, 2011. (SOLD)
10"x12", mixed media on board, 2009/11.
8"x10", ink and acrylic on wood, 2010. (SOLD)
6"x6", acrylic on panel, 2010. (SOLD)
5" tondo, acrylic on wood, 2010. (SOLD)
6"x6", acrylic and chalk on panel, 2009.
Drawn at a Buy Art Not People Panel Event. watercolor, ink and chalk on bristol.
Not available.
Drawn at a Buy Art Not People Panel Event. watercolor, ink and chalk on bristol.
Not available.
Drawn at a Buy Art Not People Panel Event. watercolor, ink and chalk on bristol.
Not available.
Drawn at a Buy Art Not People Panel Event. watercolor, ink and chalk on bristol.
Not available.
Drawn at a Buy Art Not People Panel Event. watercolor, ink and chalk on bristol.
Not available.
Drawn at a Buy Art Not People Panel Event. watercolor, ink and chalk on bristol.
Not available.
8"x8" unframed, ink and chalk on paper, 2011.
8"x8" unframed, graphite and ink on paper, 2011.
4"x6", acrylic on wood, 2010/12. (SOLD)
8"x8", acrylic on panel, 2010/11. (SOLD)
4"x4", acrylic on panel, 2009. This work is currently not available as is, it was updated in 2018 - on display at ART BAR Milwaukee WI October 2018-December 2018
8"x12" unframed, acrylic on paper, 2011/12.
4"x4", acrylic on panel, 2010. (SOLD)
5"x7" unframed, ink on paper, 2011. (SOLD)
5"x7" unframed, graphite on paper, 2011. (SOLD)
6" tondo, acrylic on wood, 2010. (SOLD)
16"x20", x2, acrylic on wood, 2009.
8"x11" unframed, acrylic and ink on paper, 2009. (SOLD)
8"x11" unframed, acrylic and ink on paper, 2009. (SOLD)
11" oval, acrylic on paper, framed. 2010.
4"x4", acrylic on panel, 2010. (SOLD)
4"x4", acrylic on panel, 2009.
8"x10" oval, acrylic on panel, 2011/12. (SOLD)
Various post-undergraduate mixed media works.
None available for sale
A collaboration with Tim Lowly
please contact Tim Lowly to inquire about the works.
TL: This was a collaborative project that focused on objects from the life of my daughter Temma . In the last few months of 2013 Chicago artist Rachael (McHan) Gonzalez worked as one of Temma's care-givers. While we has been friends for quite a while and she has been acquainted with Temma, her experience as one of Temma's caregivers informed her understanding of Temma and the role of these objects in Temma's life.
The procedure for this work was as follows:
1) We chose objects that are part of Temma's daily world.
2) Rachael started the piece, working either from the actual object or a photograph that she has taken of it. She worked on the piece until she was ready to pass it on.
3) I worked on the piece (from the original object, Rachael's photograph or my imagination) until it was finished.
These works were first shown in Feb 2014 at Koplin Del rio Gallery in L.A.
Projects: Hurricane School
none available for sale
HURRICANE SCHOOL was a tentatively titled transcription project, which was a collaboration between RMG and Alexander Frieske. Frieske had a collection of recordings of his grandfather telling stories from his young adulthood growing up in the south during the depression. Stories about travel, adventure, and encounters that rang of Tom Sawyer, or Mockingbird.
Frieske would transcribe the stories painstakingly using the audio footage, while RM would illustrate each story, often utilizing field notes, research and interviews with family members or historical society representatives.
The resulting artist' book was not published for sale and is owned by Frieske.
Work in magazines, zines, publications and books
Book Illustrations. Sci Fi Author; Cweth Michel. Canada.
