Meet Rachel Rusenko | Artist, Vocalist, and Community Builder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rachel Rusenko and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rachel, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I was raised in Casablanca, Morocco, from ages three to sixteen. Being immersed in such gorgeous geometric detail so prevalently, from hand carved wood and plaster ceilings, to intricate metal work and mosaic patterning, has informed my penchant towards geometry and symmetry. Islamic people believe in honoring the divine through abstract shapes instead of human representation. Though I do not directly copy these patterns, I aspire to echo the visual pleasure found in balanced and mirrored shapes.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As an entirely self-taught painter, I have honed my personal style and skill set through near-exhaustive diligence. I find that I have learned best by doing, and so creating a greater volume of work at a faster pace has taught me more than spending years on one piece would have. I have the tendency to finish over 100 paintings per year.

Especially if you are starting out, I find it important to create lots of work quickly!

I’d also venture that being self-taught has freed me from traditional techniques, and allowed me to explore unique ways of compensating. For example: instead of rendering three dimensionally through traditional shading techniques, I have developed a linework style that creates the illusion of depth in a less traditional format.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Tough question!

I’d take them on a hike in the Gorge, possibly to Bridal Veil Falls. There are some lesser traffic foot trails that have fallen logs you can climb out to, to hang out right near the rushing water! Gorgeous lush nature vistas are a huge highlight of this area.

As a foodie town, it’s near impossible to pick one restaurant to highlight! Mis Tacones has exceptional vegan options.

Creepy’s is a favorite strange kitschy bar with clown decor and many a velvet painting.

For a more underground experimental experience true to local culture, I’d take them to a show at Azøth.

A bike ride looping around both riverfront trails, heading on the Springwater Corridor and ending on Elk Rock Island would be a spectacular summertime activity.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Early on, I was accepted into the L.A. Fort community and eventually named Art Director. I learned a lot through my experiences in that warehouse space, under the wing of Cameron Rath, artist manager and community builder extraordinaire!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rusenkoart

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rachelrusenko?mibextid=dGKdO6

Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCFMUH0EHWaB4qTE6ERuwsiA

Other: https://soundcloud.com/luneausphere/live-at-earth-space-pdx-1 https://www.instagram.com/luneausphere?igsh=eTVzYXVsNzJia2k2

Image Credits
First image (double exposure): Frances Davis Furr Band image: Álvaro Campomanes