Rachel Smith Maher ~ Artist and Poet

Glorious weekend to mark the "end of summer" here in Maine.  I spent a bit of time at the beach...walking, reading, and even painting!  It was perfect!  That being said, I am ready for fall.  I love all the seasons, and look forward to casseroles, football, and the trees revealing their true colors.  As a momento to the wonderful summer weather we've had, I'm offering this little unframed 5x7 watercolor free to the first person who asks!  I am grateful to the people who have supported and encouraged my journey as a full-time artist...and grateful to God for His perfect provision each and every day for me to keep on keeping on!   

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

My friend discovered this vignette at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens the other day and we sat in the sun painting to our heart's delight.  It was a glorious day after several filled with clouds.  I was inspired by the light reflecting off the dark vase, which stood at least five feet tall on a wall of granite.    I resisted the urge to climb up and look inside.  What would I have found?  When we look inside the dark, do we find any light?  Dan Fogelberg wrote a line in a song, "There's a light in the depths of your darkness".  It's a wonderful song...full of hope despite all that is not right in the world.  My compass point these days is to remember I am God's vessel, reflecting His light in the darkness.  Leaning on His strength day by precious day.     ~~~This painting is in a private collection in Maine.

I reaquainted myself with acrylic paints recently and composed this sunflower painting for the fundraiser Wintergreen Arts Center in Presque Isle, Maine, is hosting in a couple weeks. I wanted to capture how the sunflowers I grow keep their "faces" to the light...looking up...seeking the sun...very uplifting. The clear blue sky represents that peacefullness which accompanies a positive attitude. Reminds me to keep on keeping on, chin up, face to the Son.   ~~~This painting is in a private collection in Maine.

Can you feel it? Can you hear it? Spring is in the air! The birds certainly have known it for a few weeks, now, as they have been singing their sweet spring songs in celebration! I have been inspired to paint tulips...lots and lots of tulips! Pink tulips, red tulips, peach tulips, tulips in vases, tulips in the garden. What joy it has brought me as the transition from Winter into Spring takes place. The melting snow reveals the promise of the new season--green grass, sprouting crocuses, velvet soft mosses. Winter into Spring has many moods--solemn clouds give way to glorious sunrises, which yield yet again to rain and even snow. Each day has a gift to share with us, even if it's so dark that we can barely perceive it--and sometimes it is so light that the glare makes us miss the details...but the gift is still there. May our hearts be light as we seek and find the gift in every day! The top two paintings are available, framed in blonde wood 13"x13" frames with a whi...

Ru-ta-ba-ga: a brassicaceous plant, Brassica napobrassica, having a yellow- or white-fleshed, edible tuber, also called Swedish Turnip. Or as I like to see it, an orb with a really cool purple color that melds into a nice orange-y gold hue and flowing green leaves that have holes where the bugs got at them. This is definitely a vegetable that is under appreciated, but apparently quite healthy for us. Try adding carrots or parsnips to a mash of rutabaga, with some butter (not too much!) and garlic and top with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese... delightful! Consider this my ode to eating more vegetables--along with all those other things that are healthy habits to employ! God gives us all that we need to nourish our bodies and souls--its up to us to partake in His bounty!   ~~~This painting is in a private collection in Maine.

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!