Rachel Smith Maher ~ Artist and Poet

I call this one "Beautiful Friends" because each pear has its own personality.  Look at the bright yellow one--third from the right.  She's the one who shines brightly and radiates joy.  The first one on the left, she's a little shy, but actively engaged in the group.  The little red one, she just makes everyone laugh.  Each one a bit different...collected together make a community of friends.  Beauty is defined in so many ways.  I prefer to seek the beauty of one's heart~~for therein lies truth.  I had so much fun painting this one, that I just had to do it again: Framed in muted green wooden frames, with custom double matting.  $400 each. 

I began this painting with my eyes closed.  Brush in hand, blank canvas before me, the first few strokes of blue paint went on without the guidance of sight.   The concept flowed from my spirit, through my brain, to my heart and out past my fingers holding the brush and onto the canvas.  I knew I wanted to capture the delicate edge of a butterfly wing.  I knew I wanted to use blue paint.  Beyond that, this painting simply emerged, one brushstroke at a time. The butterfly wings give an element of uplift and perspective.  While the hydrangeas were being formed, I felt a supernatural kind of connection to creativity itself.  When the falling petals in the lower right corner showed up, I began to think upon the legacy we leave when we leave this earth.  Then I felt the spirit of Cassidy Charette with me as I completed this piece...as it transformed from the message I had hoped to communicate to Cass's message:  Leave a legacy of Light. Taken...

Meet "Red", our resident Cardinal.  This painting was inspired by a photograph I took of him finding food for his young 'uns this Spring.  I discovered that the male cardinal feeds the hatchlings while the mama cardinal moves on to build a new nest for the next brood.  He's tilting his head to listen for worms.  Can you imagine having to listen to a worm crawl to get fed?  How quiet you would have to get to allow that to happen.  Quiet in the mind, heart, and soul.  And if you took the opportunity to get THAT quiet, what would you hear?

If we fail to pause, even for a moment, to bear witness to nature, why are we here?  Beyond cars and concrete and cappuccinos is a world that quietly marks the passing of time through light and tracks and new birth...melting snow, green buds, singing birds.  To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under Heaven.  This painting is of a large pine tree that sits on the edge of our property line.  I look out upon it as I sip my morning coffee.  And in certain seasons, the morning light illuminates the base of the trunk and lower branches.  It has always captured my attention--enchanting me with thoughts of  how light can make its way through a thicket to warm up the snowy forest floor.  Today, as I was silently watching through my window, a deer made its way behind the tree and rested just to the right of the trunk, nestled in the snow, taking a moment to her self.  Made me wonder if she would farrow early and bring forth an...

It's been a while!  Summer morphed right into fall before I could even catch my breath!  I have missed writing and posting here...and look forward to a bit more activity in the coming months!  Life has been incredibly busy, but oh so very good.  I relish the sweet moments time has given me...now tucked away as fond memories of family, fun, and fulfillment of my dreams through painting.  God is good, all the time, and all the time, God is good! ~~This painting is in a private collection in Maine~~

There are mountains in my mind.  Some I climb up, some I climb down.  When atop the thrilling peak, I can see distant lands and times.  When in the valleys, I see both sides more clearly as I wait patiently in the shadows for guidance.  My hope is that I always have the courage to take one more step--whether up or down--and remember that my Savior is with me always.  I've been listening to a "new" album on my turntable...here are some words of wisdom from one of my favorite musicians, Dan Fogelberg:   The higher you climb, the more that you see The more that you see, the less that you know The less that you know, the more that you yearn The more that you yearn, the higher you climb ~~18"x15" $325 framed

This scripture says it all...so my words will be few:  "Fear not!" the angel of the Lord said unto the shepards.  So easy in concept...yet at times so difficult in action when following the path God has chosen in faithful obedience.  Love casts out all fear...if we love enough, if we allow God's love to be enough, the fear will abate.  The fruits will be recognized as joy and peace.  Merry Christmas my friends!   ~~~This painting is in a private collection in Maine.

Took a magical trip across the ocean to this little island that houses Maine's second oldest, yet tallest lighthouse.  It was a quinticential summer day on the Maine Coast...breezy, sunny, warm, simply wonderful.  I was inspired by the lens of the lighthouse and tried to imagine how I would capture the multiple dimensions of light coming into the lens, as well as going out.  What is the source of Light in your life?  Does the Light come in as well as go out? ~~13.5"x16.5" $295 framed

New Year's Greetings! The dawn of a new year...a clean slate...a chance to live life as you've always dreamed it. We have this power, this choice within us. It's up to us to make the decision--to live authentically, simply, lovingly, peacefully. The Source that gives light to the sun wants to share that light with you. This, too, is a choice. A daily surrender not to our appetites, but to what brings everlasting peace. My New Year's goal is to be in touch with that peace each and every day...the fruits of my spirit will tell me if I am on track. And as is traditional at Dragonfly Arts ...this small 5x7 first painting of 2012 is being offered to the first person who asks for it--free! Peace be with you all in 2012!

The Wisemen heard the Good News and wanted to worship the New King. They asked, “Where is the one who has been born King of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:2) They searched, and found their King…but it was not what they expected, to say the least. The star led them to a house where they discovered the Boy Child and his mother Mary. No royal robes, no golden crown, no throne, no palace. Did they turn around, assuming they were mistaken? Did they look at the night sky, seeking another star? Nope. They bowed down and worshiped. And opened their treasures. And offered their gifts. (Matthew 2:11) To the little Child who was their King. Have you ever encountered such a scene…where things did not turn out the way you planned…they way you hoped…the way they were supposed to? Feelings of discouragement, despair, anger and frustration seem warranted. But God’s ways are not our ways. He asks us to look at the Wisemen, and worship anyways. To open th...

My mother in law, affectionately know as "Dinah", has a little saying when happening on something delightful: "That'll give you a lift!!" That's what I feel when I see sunflowers--and was immediately inspired by my friend's vase full of fresh sunflowers earlier this fall. Their blooms lean this way and that as they follow the sun. Do you ever find yourself stretching toward the Light? This painting was donated to a fund-raiser to help a special friend in his battle against cancer.  Sadly, he passed away in the summer of 2013.  His creative spirit and warm smile lives on in our hearts.  RIP E.H. 

The beach roses have begun to bloom. The warm summer sun has arrived. Time to head to the water's edge and relax. I've been busy painting several new pieces, and hope to post many of them soon. It's been a while since my last post...further evidence of time spent in front of the easel instead of the computer. Suits me fine, as I'm much more comfortable handling a paint brush than a keyboard. Now it's time to enjoy our short summer...time in the hammock, time at the beach, time with special friends. "Down time" is essential in the balance of life...but how often do we find ourselves on the cusp of a moment's rest, only to be pulled back into the "doing" mode that beckons so temptingly. My advice is to fight against the tendency to "get things done" and for a few weeks this summer create a sense of sabbath rest to feed your soul. The hardest part will be for me to take my own advice!! How will you refresh your self this summer? ~~16...