Meet the Indy Paint and Sip Artists: Rachel Platt

Our Wine & Canvas of Greater Indianapolis artists are MASTERS in the field of creativity! The good news is YOU don’t have to be a master to unleash your creativity and craft a masterpiece. Our Indy paint and sip artists will show you some amazing (and even unexpected) ways to tap in to your creative side.

Rachel Platt lives and breathes this practice.  Between her roles as a Wine & Canvas teacher and professional designer, she knows just the right questions to ask to introduce you to a more creative way of thinking.

Keep reading for a quick introduction to Rachel!

Describe your first memory of painting. What was the experience like?

When I was very young, my mom would always take me to those pottery places where you could paint on dishware and take it home with you. She had them all on display in our house, and this quickly became what I wanted to do for my birthday each year. While it’s a different kind of painting that I do now, I remember loving sitting down for a few hours to focus on creating art.

How did you learn painting over the years? Who (or what) inspired you?

I am primarily self-taught, though in recent years I’ve taken classes at the Indianapolis Art Center and online from artists I follow on social media that inspire me. I am especially inspired when an artist is able to take a scene from ordinary life and make something beautiful out of it, which is one of my personal artistic goals.

I am also inspired by the work of Vincent van Gogh. I love his vibrant use of color. Not only his artistic work, but I find his life story and brief career as an artist to be incredibly inspirational. I’m inspired by his passion to create art, appreciation for nature, and perseverance through struggles.

What aspect of painting do you love to teach the most?

I am excited to teach people to take a relaxed approach to art, following Bob Ross’s mantra— “There are no mistakes, just happy accidents.” I think painting is most fun when you’re able to let loose and not let perfectionism get in the way. I want to encourage people to look at their own art kindly, no matter their skill level.

What songs are on your go-to playlist when painting?

I love listening to a good podcast when I paint. “Where Should We Begin” by Esther Perel and The Tim Ferriss show are two of my favorites.

As far as music, I enjoy peaceful acoustic music while I paint, like Folklore and Evermore by Taylor Swift (her best albums, in my opinion 🙂) and Noah Kahan.

Which drink is your favorite painting companion?

If I’m painting in the morning, iced coffee with oat milk. In the evening, a cup of hot tea. I’ve recently been obsessed with decaf Earl Grey tea and Cardamom honey. It’s so delicious!

What subject could you paint over and over and still be excited about it?

Animals! More specifically, cats and birds. I can’t have a cat as a pet because my husband is allergic, so I just paint them instead. I am a huge animal lover, so painting any animal brings me so much joy!

Want to make art with Rachel in real life? Check out her calendar for a list of classes coming up near you!