Meet Rachel Mashburn

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

Hi Rachel, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I was adopted from China and came to the United States when I was 11 months old. I grew up in Fayette County, where I was raised by a loving and supportive family. From an early age, I felt a little different from the people around me. It wasn’t just about having a different background. It was a deeper feeling of not quite fitting in. I often struggled to relate to the conversations and experiences that seemed to come naturally to my peers. That sense of disconnection made me feel isolated at times, but it also pushed me to art and all of the outlets it has to offer.

Art was my safe space. Whether I was making origami, painting, or simply doodling, creating gave me a way to express myself when words didn’t come easily. It brought me peace, joy, and a sense of purpose that I couldn’t find anywhere else. Art didn’t ask me to explain myself or fit in. It accepted me exactly as I was. I quickly realized that it wasn’t just a hobby; it was becoming part of who I am.

As I grew older, my desire to pursue a future in the arts only became stronger. I didn’t always believe I had the talent or ability to make it a reality. In fact, for a long time, I struggled with self-confidence. I questioned whether my art was good enough and if people would take me seriously. Even in moments of doubt, I had people around me who believed in me more than I believed in myself.

My parents were among my biggest supporters. They noticed my love for art early on and never hesitated to encourage it. Whether it was signing me up for a private art class, buying me supplies, or simply asking about my latest project, they always made it clear that my passion mattered. They still check in on my art and how my latest project is going.

Over the years, I also found a circle of close friends who uplifted me and helped me grow. At first, I was hesitant to share my work, afraid it wouldn’t be understood or appreciated.However, with class critiques I began to open up. I found communities and friend groups that embraced creativity and made me feel seen. They offered genuine praise, helpful feedback, and a sense of belonging.

Today, I still have moments where I question myself, but I’ve come a long way from where I started. My confidence has grown, not just in my artistic ability, but in my identity and voice. I’ve learned that being different isn’t something to hide. It’s something to celebrate. My journey with art has helped me process who I am, where I came from, and where I hope to go.

Art remains the one constant that brings me joy, clarity, and motivation. I do have a love hate relationship with it sometimes. It can cause me to have severe burnout and cause all three of those attributes to disappear. However, thanks to the love and support of my family and friends, burnout doesn’t feel as intimidating now. It’s how I connect with the world and with myself. As I look ahead, I know that no matter what path I take, art will continue to be a driving force in my life.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Like I said before, I always knew I wanted to work in the art field somehow. I started out studying Fine Arts and found out that it would be difficult for me to make a living off of drawings and paintings. Senior year of high school rolled around and I discovered Graphic Design. Well, the rest is history. I ended up majoring in it at Georgia Southern University and I now work for an education tech company. I design video games, books, symbols and lessons for unique learners around the world.

After my 9-5, I also do weekend art markets and work on commissions. I think the quote, “A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one,” often attributed to William Shakespeare, perfectly describes both me and my artistic journey. By day, I design digital assets for special needs children and their teachers. By night, I might be painting, folding origami, sculpting, drawing and/or doing all of the above.

The path hasn’t been easy. I’ve faced my share of hurdles, but each challenge has shaped me into the artist and person I am today. Along the way, I’ve learned the importance of giving myself grace and allowing time to rest. Burnout is real, but with compassion and recovery, it’s possible to come out feeling better and with more ideas.

My story has many chapters, and it’s far from over. Art is something I deeply love, and I hope to keep creating for years to come. The motto for my art brand is “Canvas for One, Art for All.” Inspired by the spirit of The Three Musketeers, it reflects my belief that art should be shared and accessible for everyone to enjoy.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend came into town, I would take her to all of my favorite spots. She loves art as well so we would visit the High and make a day trip of it. We would spend hours there then go eat at Mary Macs. After Mary Macs, I would take her to the Botanical Gardens for one of their night events.

The day after, we would take it easy and explore Downtown Newnan and its surrounding areas. I live near the cutest coffee shop called Foxtail Coffee so we would get breakfast there and draw for a few hours. Then we would stop by all of the local thrift and antique stores until we got hungry. We would stop by Oriental Market Place to get some bubble tea and bánh mìs. To close out the day, we’ll head to Line Creek for some dusk plein air painting.

For the rest of the trip, I would rent out a treehouse in Ellijay. As we made our way up there we would stop at Duluth and spend most of the day there eating and exploring the stores. They have amazing Korean food and the cutest stores. Also, they have one of two Micro Centers in Georgia.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My husband. I have known him since 2010 and he has always supported my art. We started dating senior year of high school and have been together since. For my first birthday spent together, he bought me my first drawing tablet. I still have it and to me it still means so much to me. Especially since we were both high schoolers with not much money. Later after we were married, he surprised me again with an ipad and those both helped me excel in my digital art.

Throughout the years, he’s continued to support my artistic journey in every way. Whether I’m participating in an art exhibition or selling at a market, he’s always there either as a viewer or helping me set up. I know I can count on him to be my number one fan but also my most honest critic. When things go wrong or I feel overwhelmed, he’s the one who keeps me grounded and helps me stay focused. His support has meant everything to me, and I’m so grateful to have him by my side.

Website: https://canvasforone.myportfolio.com/

Instagram: @canvasforone

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelmash/

Facebook: @canvasforone

Image Credits
They were all taken by me.