creative highlight
MEMBER from our community
RACH ELIZABETH MCGINLEY
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I'm Rach. Vietnam born, Colorado raised, I have a passion for giving back to my community through my art. I strive to inspire others with the gifts God has given me, that I may help others see Jesus and feel His love.
My dream and desire is to live, love and give beyond my reach. I have a heart for the nations and just absolutely love learning about different cultures. I am a big fan of diversity as I have grown up in a diverse family of 8 (5 of the 8 are adopted, one from Colorado, Vietnam, Korea and two from China).
I don't want people just to come and see my heART, but to help me go and find. To go beyond our comfort zone and find Jesus among the orphan, the poor, the lost and unbelieving. I mean think about it, God gave you Hope, do you think He wanted you to keep that Hope for yourself? Will you join me on this journey to being a blessing to others?
Instagram: @rachelizabethmcginley
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.rachelizabethmcginley.com
My dream and desire is to live, love and give beyond my reach. I have a heart for the nations and just absolutely love learning about different cultures. I am a big fan of diversity as I have grown up in a diverse family of 8 (5 of the 8 are adopted, one from Colorado, Vietnam, Korea and two from China).
I don't want people just to come and see my heART, but to help me go and find. To go beyond our comfort zone and find Jesus among the orphan, the poor, the lost and unbelieving. I mean think about it, God gave you Hope, do you think He wanted you to keep that Hope for yourself? Will you join me on this journey to being a blessing to others?
Instagram: @rachelizabethmcginley
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.rachelizabethmcginley.com
Can you tell us about your introduction to art? How did you know you had a creative gift?
Since day one, I have always enjoyed creating with my hands, giving a gift, and finding beauty in the day to day. But boy oh boy has it been a journey...
Art became my “best friend”, like a companion where we did everything together in the early days of school... I took art classes from Elementary through High School. After graduating I just wanted to take art classes. Realistic? Not quite. As we all know well enough, life as a full time artist is not the easiest to make a living. So, instead of taking art classes in college, I “put art on hold, we took a break” while I pursued a degree that could lead to a full time job and help me make a living, and still be a little creative at the same time. I graduated with an Associates Degree in Interior Design.
Art became more of a “plus one”, like it was an add on, if I ever had the time for it… One rare occasion, I had the opportunity to take an art class for an elective. The final project required us to teach an art class. I planned a craft and taught it to a rather large group of kids. It was a great learning experience.
After graduating, Art became more of a “therapist”, like it was an occasional need, if I was in the mood for it. It wasn’t until during the pandemic when I started thinking of learning more about business and what it looked like to be an “entrepreneur”. (Quick side note: Growing up I always thought it would be fun one day to own my own gift shop.) Little did I know that selling beauty products would eventually lead to selling my own art.
Art has now become a “lifestyle”, like it has become a part of how I live my life. I to this day live to create with my hands, give a gift, and find beauty in the day to day for others because it gives me life.
When did I know I had a creative gift, or when did I actually see my creativity as a GIFT? The moment someone mentioned to me personally they were blessed by my art, was the time I discovered that my creativity was a GIFT. When? It was when I made a gift by hand for my parents when I was six years old. From then on, I have been on this art journey of growth and discovery.
Since day one, I have always enjoyed creating with my hands, giving a gift, and finding beauty in the day to day. But boy oh boy has it been a journey...
Art became my “best friend”, like a companion where we did everything together in the early days of school... I took art classes from Elementary through High School. After graduating I just wanted to take art classes. Realistic? Not quite. As we all know well enough, life as a full time artist is not the easiest to make a living. So, instead of taking art classes in college, I “put art on hold, we took a break” while I pursued a degree that could lead to a full time job and help me make a living, and still be a little creative at the same time. I graduated with an Associates Degree in Interior Design.
Art became more of a “plus one”, like it was an add on, if I ever had the time for it… One rare occasion, I had the opportunity to take an art class for an elective. The final project required us to teach an art class. I planned a craft and taught it to a rather large group of kids. It was a great learning experience.
After graduating, Art became more of a “therapist”, like it was an occasional need, if I was in the mood for it. It wasn’t until during the pandemic when I started thinking of learning more about business and what it looked like to be an “entrepreneur”. (Quick side note: Growing up I always thought it would be fun one day to own my own gift shop.) Little did I know that selling beauty products would eventually lead to selling my own art.
Art has now become a “lifestyle”, like it has become a part of how I live my life. I to this day live to create with my hands, give a gift, and find beauty in the day to day for others because it gives me life.
When did I know I had a creative gift, or when did I actually see my creativity as a GIFT? The moment someone mentioned to me personally they were blessed by my art, was the time I discovered that my creativity was a GIFT. When? It was when I made a gift by hand for my parents when I was six years old. From then on, I have been on this art journey of growth and discovery.
What are your favorite ways to express your creativity?
One of my favorites would be a tie between either putting together and creating a gift for someone, or planning an experience to share in God’s greatest gifts, abundant life. (Example for the experience: planning a ladies’ retreat up in the mountains to revel in God’s breathtaking and beautiful creation. To be inspired by Him.) So, to put it simply, incorporating creativity in gift giving and building relationships are just a couple of ways that I express creativity...
What do you feel God is calling you to in this season with your creativeness?
As of now I really sense God calling me to create and connect.
To create and share God’s glory.
To connect and welcome and love on God’s family.
Is it costly to be a creative/artist?
Yes it is very costly. I naturally enjoy supporting other artists and am so inspired I end up not making money by spending a chunk on other art pieces from other creatives. So financially, yes, it is costly because it costs to support others and support myself (by more paint, order new products, make more prints, etc.). It also is costly as it costs me my time. It takes a lot of time to create, sell, learn, be inspired, create, etc. So managing time and using it well is a daily battle. With that being said, is it worth the cost? Yes absolutely. It is a joy and honor to support others as well as a gift to bless others with what God has given to me, the gift to create...
Some practical steps you'd encourage other creatives to take to become productive and learn business skills etc.?
Be willing to be teachable, ready to learn from mistakes along your journey. Remember the goal is to never reach for perfection but to stay consistent. Be okay with your pace. Leave room for growth. And most importantly, connect with others. Connect to be inspired. Connect to inspire others. Community over competition - let’s support each other. :)
How do you juggle your business/family/social time?
Juggling business/relationships/social time is definitely a challenge for me. Time management is not always on my side. As I am working full time as an Interior Design Assistant and trying to stay consistent (with creating new pieces, posting something on social media to keep the audience engaged, recording, making prints, whatever it may be) it is a daily struggle. How do I do it? One day at a time. While I am daily reminded that perfection is never the goal, I am learning to be okay with my pace.
One of my favorites would be a tie between either putting together and creating a gift for someone, or planning an experience to share in God’s greatest gifts, abundant life. (Example for the experience: planning a ladies’ retreat up in the mountains to revel in God’s breathtaking and beautiful creation. To be inspired by Him.) So, to put it simply, incorporating creativity in gift giving and building relationships are just a couple of ways that I express creativity...
What do you feel God is calling you to in this season with your creativeness?
As of now I really sense God calling me to create and connect.
To create and share God’s glory.
To connect and welcome and love on God’s family.
Is it costly to be a creative/artist?
Yes it is very costly. I naturally enjoy supporting other artists and am so inspired I end up not making money by spending a chunk on other art pieces from other creatives. So financially, yes, it is costly because it costs to support others and support myself (by more paint, order new products, make more prints, etc.). It also is costly as it costs me my time. It takes a lot of time to create, sell, learn, be inspired, create, etc. So managing time and using it well is a daily battle. With that being said, is it worth the cost? Yes absolutely. It is a joy and honor to support others as well as a gift to bless others with what God has given to me, the gift to create...
Some practical steps you'd encourage other creatives to take to become productive and learn business skills etc.?
Be willing to be teachable, ready to learn from mistakes along your journey. Remember the goal is to never reach for perfection but to stay consistent. Be okay with your pace. Leave room for growth. And most importantly, connect with others. Connect to be inspired. Connect to inspire others. Community over competition - let’s support each other. :)
How do you juggle your business/family/social time?
Juggling business/relationships/social time is definitely a challenge for me. Time management is not always on my side. As I am working full time as an Interior Design Assistant and trying to stay consistent (with creating new pieces, posting something on social media to keep the audience engaged, recording, making prints, whatever it may be) it is a daily struggle. How do I do it? One day at a time. While I am daily reminded that perfection is never the goal, I am learning to be okay with my pace.