About the Artist
Rachel Pettit's Bio/Resume
Over 45 years of professional painting gives Rachel Pettit the experience to approach each new canvas with confidence. Her newest practice of painting an occasional abstract gives her latest work a fresher and more painterly quality. Manipulating the paint in different ways can help direct the viewer's eye as it contemplates the painting. Using thick or thin paint, palette knife or brush, soft blended strokes or hard lines, all can effect the outcome of a painting and can add excitement to the piece. Thoughtful color choices and value contrast contribute to the emotional quality as well. Experimenting with new materials and formats gives Rachel the impetus needed to continue working on an almost daily basis. Plein air painting (painting outdoors, from life) remains a favorite method. Speed and a well-trained eye and hand are needed to capture the most appealing and fleeting scenes of early morning and late afternoon. These paintings are often filled with expressive brushwork and spontaneity. Continuing to be challenged in this way restores the memories of natural light, values, and colors that are so important to bring a sense of place to the work.
Born in Wisconsin, she moved with her family to Scottsdale, Arizona at a young age and spent her childhood in the southwest, traveling, camping and exploring. This instilled a great love of the outdoors which later was continued as a love of landscape painting. Her training has been through workshops and classes with regional and national masters including George Carlson, Scott Christensen, Delbert Gish, William Reese, and Kathryn Stats. With the encouragement of these great artists, her paintings have taken on an impressionistic style, one which captures the essence or spirit of the subject and conveys it to the viewer. Her constant dedication to painting, as well as the study of contemporary and past masters, are the most important elements of her artistic development. Her paintings have been juried into many of the nation's top exhibitions including Arts for the Parks Top 100, Oil Painters of America National and Regional Exhibitions, Salon International, American Impressionist Society, and International Artist Magazine, and are included in collections throughout the United States.
After living in several different states throughout her career, she now resides in Grand Junction, Colorado.
Rachel's Social Media Links
www.facebook.com/RachelPettitFineArt
Rachel's Resume: Juried and Solo Exhibitions, Awards, Publications, Feature Exhibitions, Memberships
Juried and Solo Exhibitions (partial listing)
2024 The Art Center of Western Colorado, Solo Exhibition "For the Love of Landscape", (Grand Junction, CO)
2019 Yellowstone Plein Air Invitational
2018 First Annual Yellowstone Plein Air Invitational
2018-2017 Paint the Peninsula Plein Air Invitational (Port Angeles, WA)
2018-2017 Grand Canyon Celebration of Art Invitational Plein Air (Kolb Studio, Grand Canyon Village, AZ)
2018 Oil Painters of America National Exhibition of Traditional Oils (Steamboat Art Museum, Steamboat Springs, CO)
2018 American Impressionist Society Small Works (Greenwich House Gallery, Cincinnati, OH)
2018 Celebrating Women, Unlimited and Undaunted (Utah Cultural Celebration Center, West Valley City, UT)
2018-2014 New Visions Art Show (The Mission Gallery, St. George, UT)
2017 Oil Painters of America Western Exhibition of Traditional Oils (Illume Gallery, St. George, UT )
2017-2015 Mountain Oyster Club Contemporary Western Art Show and Sale (Tucson, AZ)
2017 Artists For The New Century (Bennington Center for the Arts, Bennington, VT)
2017 Paint the Peninsula Plein Air Invitational (Port Angeles, WA)
2016 Cedar Breaks Chasing Light Plein Air Invitational (Southern Utah Museum of Art, Cedar City, UT)
2017-2014 Where In The World Is Plein Air? (Illume Gallery, Salt Lake City, UT)
2017- 2015 Plein Air Artists of Colorado National Exhibition (Mary Williams Fine Art, Boulder, CO)
2017-2011 Sears Dixie Invitational Show (Sears Gallery, Dolores Eccles Fine Art Center, St George, UT)
2016-2013 Zion National Park Plein Air Invitational (Zion National Park, UT)
2016 Sedona Plein Air Invitational (Sedona, AZ)
2016 Paint the Peninsula Plein Air Invitational (Port Angeles, WA)
2016 American Impressionist Society National Juried Exhibition (Howard/Mandville Gallery, Kirkland, WA)
2016 Cedar Breaks Arts Afire Plein Air Invitational (Southern Utah Museum of Art, Cedar City, UT)
2016 Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils (Southwest Gallery, Dallas TX)
2016 "Pictured: The West's Most Spectacular National Parks, 2016 National Parks Service Centennial Exhibition (St George Art Museum, St George, UT)
2016 Celebrating the Vitality of Women, Utah Women Artists (Utah Cultural Celebration Center, West Valley City)
2016 "Close to Home, Our Own Spectacular National Parks", 2016 National Parks Service Centennial Exhibition (St George Art Museum, St George, UT)
2015 American Women Artists National Juried Exhibition (Bonner David Galleries, Scottsdale, AZ)
2015 American Impressionist Society National Juried Exhibition (Trailside Galleries, Scottsdale, AZ)
2015 Sugar House Plein Air Competition (Local Colors Gallery, Salt Lake City, UT),
2015-2014 Where In The World Is Plein Air? (Illume Gallery, Salt Lake City, UT)
2014 American Impressionist Society National Juried Exhibition (Abend Gallery, Denver, CO)
2014 Sedona Plein Air Invitational (Sedona, AZ)
2014 Paint the Peninsula Plein Air Invitational (Port Angeles, WA)
2014 Art & Soup Benefit Art Show (Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City, UT)
2013 Zion National Park Plein Air Art Invitational (Zion National Park, UT)
2013 Oil Painters of America Western Regional Juried Exhibition (Southwind Art Gallery, Topeka, KS)
2013 American Impressionist Society National Juried Exhibition (M Gallery of Fine Art, Charleston, SC)
2013 Celebrating the Vitality of Women, Utah Women Artists (Utah Cultural Celebration Center, West Valley City)
2013 Salon International 2013 (Greenhouse Gallery of Fine Art, San Antonio, TX)
2012 American Impressionist Society National Juried Exhibition (Eckert & Ross Fine Art, Indianapolis, IL)
2011 Oil Painters of America Regional Juried Exhibition (Lee Youngman Galleries, Calistoga, CA)
2011 American Impressionist Society National Juried Exhibition (Mountainsong Galleries, Carmel, CA)
2010 American Impressionist Society National Juried Exhibition (Richland Fine Art, Nashville, TN)
2010 Oil Painters of America Regional Juried Exhibition (Mountain Trails Gallery, Jackson, WY)
2009 American Impressionist Society's National Juried Exhibition (Saks Galleries, Denver, CO)
2008 Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils (Dana Gallery, Missoula, MT)
2008 Intermountain Society of Artists Spring Show (IAO Gallery, Salt Lake City, UT)
2007 The Landscape Art Show, Color of the Land (Museum of Utah Art and History, Salt Lake City, UT)
2007 33rd Annual Statewide Competition (Eccles Community Art Center, Ogden UT)
2006 Siouxland Landscape II Invitational (Washington Pavilion, Visual Art Center, Sioux Falls, SD)
2006 Salon International 2006 (Greenhouse Gallery of Fine Art, San Antonio, TX)
2005 Arts for the Parks Top 100 (Jackson Lake Lodge, Jackson, WY and USA tour)
2005 Oil Painters of America Regional Juried Exhibition (Snowfire Gallery, Estes Park, CO)
2005 Oil Painters of America National Exhibition of Traditional Oils (Hilligoss Galleries, Chicago, IL)
2005 South Dakota Governor’s 2nd Biennial Art Exhibition, Endless Possibilities (South Dakota tour)
2005 Salon International 2005 (Greenhouse Gallery of Fine Art, San Antonio, TX)
2005 Northern Lights 2005 Juried Art Exhibition (White Bear Center for the Arts, White Bear Lake, MN)
2005 Arts in Harmony 10th Annual National Juried Art Show (Elk River Arts Alliance, Elk River MN)
2004 International Artist finalist, Seascapes, Rivers & Lakes Competition (pub. in June/July issue 2004)
2004 Salon International 2004 (Greenhouse Gallery of Fine Art, San Antonio, TX)
2003 Oil Painters of America Regional Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils (Hilligoss Galleries, Chicago, IL)
2003 Juried Art Exhibition (MacRostie Art Center, Grand Rapids, MN)
2002 Arts for the Parks Exhibition, Second 100 (Art West Gallery, Jackson, WY)
2002 Florida Invitational (Main Street Galleries, Perry, FL)
2002 Salon International 2002 (Greenhouse Gallery of Fine Art, San Antonio, TX)
2002 Oil Painters of America National Exhibition (Hilligoss Galleries, Chicago, IL
2001 Oil Painters of America Regional Exhibition of Traditional Oils (Springville Museum, Springville UT)
2001 Arts for the Parks Exhibition, Second 100 (Art West Gallery, Jackson, WY)
2000 Northwest Watercolor Society 60th Anniversary Exhibition (Frye Art Museum, Seattle, WA)
1999 Oil Painters of America Regional Juried Exhibition (Sangre de Cristo Art Center, Pueblo, CO)
1999 Chase Gallery All Media Juried Show (Spokane, WA)
1998 Oil Painters of America National Exhibition (P&C Gallery, Washington, DC)
1998 Spokane Watercolor Society Juried Show (Douglas Gallery, Spokane, WA)
1996 Carnegie Art Center Juried Show (Walla Walla, WA)
1995 Corbin Art Center Juried Lilac Exhibition (Spokane, WA)
1995 Northwest Watercolor Society Open Exhibition (Howard/Mandville Gallery, Kirkland, WA)
1995 Juan De Fuca Festival of the Arts Juried Show (Clallam Art Gallery, Port Angeles, WA)
1995 Gallery ‘76 National Juried Art Exhibition (Wenatchee, WA)
1995 Lewis-Clark Juried Art Exhibition (Lewis-Clark Center for Arts & History, Lewiston, ID)
1993 Edmonds Art Festival Juried Show (Frances Anderson Cultural Center, Edmonds, WA)
1992 Puget Sound Country (Eileen Enck Gallery, Bellevue, WA)
1990 Salmon River National Arts Competition (Riggins, ID)
1990 Eastern Washington Watercolor Society (Walla Walla and Richland, WA)
1989 Corbin Art Center Juried Exhibition of Fine Art (Spokane, WA)
1988 Montana Miniature Art Society International Show (Castle Gallery, Billings, MT)
Awards (partial listing)
2019 Yellowstone Plein Air Invitational, Award of Excellence
2018 Celebrating Women,Unlimited and Undaunted, Merit Award
2017 Oil Painters of America Western Exhibition of Traditional Oils, Award of Excellence
2017 Artists For The New Century, Bennington Award
2017 Paint the Peninsula Plein Air Invitational, Best Landscape
2016 Paint the Peninsula Plein Air Invitational, Best Nocturne
2016 Celebrating the Vitality of Women, Merit Award
2016 ArtMuse Contest, January, First Place, Master Class
2016 Sears Dixie Invitational Show, Sears Gallery, Honorable Mention
2015 American Impressionist Society National Juried Exhibition (Trailside Galleries, Scottsdale, AZ), Award of Merit
2015 Sugar House Plein Air Competition (Salt Lake City, UT), Best of Show
2014 Zion National Park Plein Air Invitational, Purchase Award and PleinAir Magazine Advertising Award
2013 Celebrating the Vitality of Women, Traditional Artwork Award
2008 Intermountain Society of Artists Spring Show, Best of Show
2005 Arts in Harmony 10th Annual National Juried Art Show, Award of Excellence
2004 International Artist Magazine Finalist, Seascapes, Rivers & Lakes Competition (June 2004)
2004 Cedarburg Plein Air Painting Competition, Judge’s Choice Award
2003 Oil Painters of America Regional Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils Chicago, IL) Honorable Mention
2002 Arts for the Parks Top 200 (Jackson, WY) Award for Excellence
2002 Art on the Green Juried Show (Coeur d’Alene, ID) Purchase Award
1995 S M Art by the River Juried Show (St Maries, ID) Best of Show
1995 Allied Arts Center Multi-Media Show (Richland, WA) Purchase Award
1987 Women In Art (Billings, MT) Best of Show
1986 Yellowstone Exhibition (Billings, MT) Purchase Award
Publications
2016 Learning With Other Plein Air Artists, PleinAir Magazine, February/March, Volume 5, Issue 1
2004 How Did You Paint That? 100 Ways to Paint Seascapes, Rivers and Lakes, Vol. 1, International Artist Publishing, Inc. 2004, artist #11
2004 Grand Rapids Herald-Review Variety, November 14, “Pettit’s award winning painting wins again”, article
2002 Smoke Signals The Spokane Club Magazine, “Rachel Pettit Brings Inspiration from Outdoors Inside the Club” article
1998 Smoke Signals The Spokane Club Magazine, “One Rogue Artist That Enjoys Landscape Painting”, article
Feature Exhibitions
2024 The Art Center of Western Colorado, (Grand Junction, CO)
2016 15th Street Gallery, (Salt Lake City, UT)
2014 15th Street Gallery, (Salt Lake City, UT)
2012 Ogden Union Station's Gallery at the Station (Ogden, UT
2011 Framed Image Gallery, (Moab, UT)
2011 Rocky Mountain Fine Art Gallery, (Morgan, UT)
2011 Gallery UAF (Utah Arts Festival), (Salt Lake /city, UT)
2006 Pierre Street Emporium (Pierre, SD)
2005 MacRostie Art Center (Grand Rapids, MN)
2003 MacRostie Art Center (Grand Rapids, MN)
2002 Colburn Gallery of Fine Art (Spokane, WA)
2001 Colburn Gallery of Fine Art (Spokane, WA)
1999 Douglas Gallery (Spokane, WA)
1997 Corbin Art Center’s Daniel Corbin Gallery (Spokane, WA)
1996 Colburn Gallery of Fine Art (Spokane, WA)
1989 Chase Gallery (Spokane, WA)
1988 The Gallery (Coeur d’Alene, ID)
Memberships
American Impressionist Society, Signature
Artist of the Black Hills, Signature (past membership)
Oil Painters of America, Signature
Plein Air Artists of Colorado, Signature
