Meet Raegan Rowland | Artist and Designer

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

Hi Raegan, what inspires you?
Artistically speaking, I am inspired by bright colors and large structures. Ever since I can remember I have been excited about making art, so it gets difficult to pinpoint what makes me excited the most, but the first things these are the first that come to mind. My first memories of being inspired are from reading books and watching TV. I always wanted the books with the most colorful pictures, even if I couldn’t read them, because I could look at them and try to draw them on my own. I drew “Rainbowfish” A LOT, and he was my favorite because he was so colorful. As I got older I remember watching shows like Spongebob Squarepants, and Rolie Polie Olie and while I was watching them I would be drawing the characters and scenes. If I wasn’t actually drawing them, I was thinking about it, and I do the same thing still to this day. Tangled is my favorite Disney movie, not only because of the amazing storyline, but because of the colors and the beauty of the “floating lights.” I watch it and I think about how I want to recreate it. I’m extremely inspired by: sunsets, flowers, bright colored insects/animals, light shows at concerts, fashion, etc. Bright colors. I discovered a passion for Architecture later in life. I was 17 when I went to Europe for the first time and got to experience the jaw dropping feeling of walking into an enormous, beautiful church. I had seen pictures of structures like these my entire life, but the feeling of seeing them in person is indescribable. I couldn’t fathom the process of creating these buildings, especially with how much detail was in every inch of construction. The following year I took Art History classes in High School and that’s when it really became apparent how much I enjoyed learning about Architecture. Today, I am still in awe every time I see a large structure, and am once again thinking of how I could recreate it. I think of this feeling of wanting to create so badly as an outlet to express just how much I appreciate something. When you love a song, you dance, or sing the lyrics. When I see something so beautiful, I want to physically recreate it. I don’t always recreate things I’ve seen, but I do always take a picture so I can draw back to it later for composition or color reference if needed for an abstract painting. I think about this feeling a lot, and feel it a lot. I can only think this is what it means to be inspired.Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art is an extension of myself, and like myself, it is evolving and changing all the time. I have yet to nail down my particular style/ identity and I’m continuously experimenting and dabbling with new techniques. In school, I was trained in 3D Design: Ceramics, Sculpture and Jewelry Making, but recently I have been doing mostly abstract painting. Maybe what makes my art different is that I do have a wide variety of interests and skills and I love exploring new mediums, or maybe not. I have yet to find out what I love the most, but I am appreciating this journey I’m on while figuring it out. I’m most excited about what’s to come. Every single day I’m coming up with new ideas about what to create and my list is very long, so I’m excited about tackling it all and just watching it come to life. Professionally, I work as a Designer for a sign company, a Studio Assistant for Allison James and I make and sell my own art, so there’s a lot going on! I have worked in the Sign Industry for almost 4 years now. I started while in college and have branched off from there. Being a part of design teams and working with clients on Signage projects has taught me everything I know about the Design/Art process, and it definitely carries over into how I work with clients for my own custom paintings. It’s one thing to be taught how to MAKE the art, but working with clients and managing projects are entirely different skills that I did not know how to do until I started working. I wouldn’t say it has been easy, but I am still in the beginning stages. There is still a lot of mountain to climb and a lot of room for challenges. If anything, I’ve learned that being rejected by one thing just means there is another, most likely better opportunity awaiting and it’s going to be okay. We think our lives are going to unfold in one specific way, and rarely does it happen how we expect, but what’s meant to be will be and that’s that. If you take anything away from my story, I want it to be just that. I won’t get into the details, but let’s just say from the start of filling out my college applications to the day I graduated, I changed my major SIX times. I went from Computer Programming to Fine Art. I changed my mind a lot, and felt like a disappointment every single time because I felt like I was supposed to know what I wanted to do. Maybe I had to spend an extra year in school, but I ended up exactly where I needed to be. My rejections only drew me closer to those better opportunities, and yours will too.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.
Ahhhh there are so may fun places in this city! After living here for 2 years I still feel like I’ve barely touched the surface on places to eat and things to do, but I guess I do have my go-to spots. If my best friend was coming to town we would have to start the day off with brunch from The Flying Biscuit. I live within walking distance of one, so it’s always my breakfast choice. I order a soy cappuccino with the “Egg-Stravaganza.” Their biscuits and grits are to die for! Next, we’re headed to Piedmont Park where we’re going to ride Bird scooters (if that’s still allowed) just for fun, then head down the Beltline, destination: unknown. There’s so much to do on the Beltline that I love just bringing visitors and telling them we can go wherever their heart desires. We can shop at Ponce City Market, catch a great view (and brew) of the city at New Realm Brewing, or grab some day drinks at Ladybird Grove & Mess Hall. When night falls, we’re catching a show downtown at The Tabernacle (Yes, I’m pretending concerts are a thing again), and because I can’t resist a disco, we’re ending the night at Johnny’s Hideaway in Buckhead. It’s weird talking about doing all of these things because since COVID, it’s been a while since I’ve actually don’t most of these things, but I’m describing to you my most ideal, fun day. As for the rest of the week, I’ll make sure we visit the High Museum of Art (duh), Hovan (my favorite Greek food in Brookhaven!), Pure Taqueria, Barcelona Wine Bar and Dark Horse Tavern (You haven’t lived until you’ve sang karaoke with a live band).Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people, groups, podcasts, books, etc. that have helped me get to where I am today, but I would be nowhere without my parents. They have put up with my strong-willed spirit from day one, and I know it was never easy. Since neither one of them are creatives in the same way I am I’m sure it was probably difficult for them to understand certain choices I’ve made, but they always supported me anyways and I couldn’t be more thankful for that. Mom and dad, if you’re reading this- Thank you for everything.

Website: www.raeganfineart.com

Instagram: raegan_fine.art

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raegan-rowland-640ab8ab/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raeganfineart