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

Hi Rachael, how do you think about risk?
My first first thoughts of risk-taking are associated with college when I enrolled in SCAD. I had serious doubts from guidance counselors and peers about pursuing art school as opposed to a liberal arts school. Going to a university seemed to them the only way to guarantee a job after graduation. I was told over and over again that there was no money to be made in the arts. I am grateful for the 18 year old version of me who dove into the unknown and persisted. After college I worked as an in-house store artist for Whole Foods for 4 years. It was a dream job out of school, I had a lot of independence in my workflow, 40 hours a week and benefits. Glorious, right? It was a blessing that right when I was getting ready for my next chapter, Amazon was in the process of purchasing the company. My position as well as countless others were eliminated entirely. At that point I was in Asheville, NC, ready to change jobs and was interested in the eclectic gallery scene happening there. With that in the back of my mind, Charleston fell into my cards. I made an impulsive move to Charleston, SC without any work lined up, hoping to find my way into their art scene. This still feels like one of my biggest risks to date. It was not an easy transition. At that point over the course of a year I had moved 4 times and my life fit in my Subaru. I felt like I was never going to be able to support myself. Fortunately, shortly after moving, I was employed to alas – an art gallery. Sarah Miller Gelber (whom I didn’t know at the time) had posted a gallery associate position online. She hired me, and my path has drastically shifted since. Up until this point, my artwork leaned towards illustration and graphic design. I never imagined that I would have numerous art exhibits under my belt three years later! While my journey has consisted of significant risks, I am learning that the small risks in daily life hold equal weight. Whether I am picking a new subject matter to paint, using a new medium, or learning a new skill, these all require me to sit with fear and discomfort. Risk, to me, is one of the most essential parts of being creative.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am an artist who loves, admires and captures the small details of life, down to the veins of a grapefruit. I utilize my time and life’s work bringing forth what some may see as an overindulgence. It’s something that only attracts others who find beauty in the simple things of life. Isn’t that ironic? My businesses’ mission as a source of joy for people, businesses and communities through color, light and texture. My work, it’s fun, it’s bright and it’s joyful. It reminds people to stop and acknowledge the smaller things, the simpler things, the most important things. My journey has felt very in sync with what I am meant to be doing. Simply put, my artwork is happy but I am particularly drawn to food. Food has been a consistent source of comfort and inspiration throughout my life. Painting food really started while I was working at Whole Foods. I was painting fruits and vegetables on black chalkboards with paint markers, and it was so much fun. I loved how different the layers of colors looked up close and from afar. I never thought that style could fit in a gallery setting. I think my first couple years of painting in the fine art realm, I held myself back. I created small watercolors trying to paint in a realistic, serious manner. That certainly has been my biggest challenge. I know my skill has been there, but I think for a while I was afraid that my art wasn’t refined or good enough. I’ve come to realize that it isn’t what the painting is of, it’s how you use the paint, brushes and surface in a new, unexpected way. Not only that, but it’s not like one day you’re just going to figure out how to make good paintings and coast from there. You have to show up in your studio every day, work through it and let your process evolve. That is my most important lesson – there is no arrival, only the journey. For some that may be disheartening, but for me it’s encouraging that the possibilities of where my art goes next are endless. 

My most recent collaborative exhibit at Miller Gallery is one of my proudest to date. The show is called Scapes and it explores togetherness by way of the tablescape. “Rachael Nerney and Kiah Bellows turned to what they loved most: food and beautiful landscapes. On and off the table we see how these artists convey the warmth found in the setting beautifully captured by photographer @kateblohm. Learn more at millergallerychs.com.”

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.
I love having visitors in Charleston! Of course it is beautiful here, but the food is unparalleled. If I wanted to give my best friend the best weekend ever we would kick things off with a breakfast spread at Babas on Cannon. Then we’d take coffees to go hang out in Hampton Park and catch up. For lunch, we would head over to 167 Raw and eat on their beautiful new patio. We’d indulge in crisp wine and divine seafood. After lunch, a little gallery stroll in the French Quarter. We’d walk off lunch and end our jaunt at Miller Gallery. Then we’d grab happy hour at The Vendue Rooftop and take in the sights and then we would end the day down the street at Edmund’s Oast. Saturday we’d head over to James Island and stock up on Baguette Magic goodness for a beach day at Folly. Once we had our fill, we’d grab a beer and tacos at Chico Feo and let the night slip away. Sunday we’d head over to Renzo for their brunch and have bagels and lox in the cutest space. From there we’d have a creative adventure, photographing the streets and stopping in shops. We’d end the weekend with one last aperitivo at Babas on Cannon until it was time to part ways.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I will never be able to thank my parents enough for their love and encouragement. I certainly felt the need to express myself growing up through how I dressed and they let me be me. They supported my choice to go to art school. They supported me moving to new cities, well knowing I was embarking without much of a plan in mind. Every painting I do, every collaboration I have the privilege to participate in, they are my number one cheerleaders and I am forever humbled and grateful. The other individual I need to thank is Sarah Miller Gelber. We’ve been working together since 2017, when she opened Miller Gallery in Charleston, SC. She has been overwhelmingly supportive in every aspect of my career. She has shown me everything I know about the contemporary art scene in the South and running a small business. She has encouraged me to grow professionally too, I am now the Associate Director of MG. Most importantly, Sarah has supported me as an artist from Day 1. From allowing my artwork to hang in the gallery to curating exhibits featuring my work – I am so grateful.

Website: https://www.rachaelnerney.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachaelnerney/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rachaelnerneyart

Image Credits
Kate Blohm

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