Featured Artist: Rachel Brown

Featured Artist: Rachel Brown

Christa Knipes, Arts & Entertainment editor

Rachel Brown hails from Erie, PA. Though a military veteran, Brown graduated from Mercyhurst with a Culinary degree in 1998. She graduated once more with a Bachelor’s in Spring of 2020, and is returning again to complete her Master’s in Special Education. During her family’s COVID-19 quarantine, she found a passion for painting as a way to release her creative energy. On a hike in Harborcreek, she happened upon some interesting rocks. After acquiring a few tools, she began conjuring up images of nature in her head and free-handing them on to the rocks with acrylic paint. She has since given many as gifts and even sold some of her painted rocks. Her favorite rocks that she has painted are of cherry blossoms, inspired by the Cherry Blossom Tree Festivals she witnessed in Japan. All in all, art is incredibly important to Brown because it brings joy to both herself and others.