Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Gregory.
Hi Rachel, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
When reflecting on my life, I’ve always thought of it as being filled with many sidequests, the side quest I’m most proud of, and the reason I believe I was chosen for this, is the work I’ve done with the JCCS community.
I’ve never thought of myself as a teacher, but I’ve always found myself in those roles. In 2023 I found myself working for a nonprofit that went into the juvenile detention facilities and other community schools around San Diego and taught art and music to the kids. For as long as I can remember, creativity has always been an outlet for me. I had an art teacher who saved my life, so I felt that if I could give that gift back, I would make the world a better place. The work was challenging on its best days, and there were so many times when I would leave work just crying to see these kids locked up and in pain. There’s one student in particular who brings me the most joy. She was a student at the Lindsay Community School, which is a school for all girls. At first, we had the usual dynamic -I would come into class and show her how to paint or do embroidery. Then I had the opportunity through the nonprofit to work one-on-one with her once a week. And this friendship and bond just started forming, which is so refreshing given there is a 17 year age gap. About 6 month into our one-on-one time I was told that the nonprofit could no longer pay me to see her. And at that time, there was no thought in my mind that this relationship was going to end because there wasn’t money involved, I knew that what her and I had was special and so I didn’t need money to spend time with her and to harness her future. So over the last two years her and I meet up almost weekly to just spend time together and to craft and create and she is the most amazing person I’ve met.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Working with incarcerated youth is one of the most difficult things I have ever done. It’s draining both physically and mentally, physically, you’re always on edge. As a woman working with teenage boys, you have to consider what you’re wearing or how you’re standing, how they might perceive kindness for something more. And then there’s the physical violence that comes with it; you would watch kids beat the crap out of each other and all you can do is stand there and wait for the guards to handle the situation. It’s an absolute feeling of helplessness.
Mentally, it’s exhausting seeing these kids cycle through the system. Some of them never stood a chance from the beginning so you’re learning of all this pain and trauma and how they’re in and out of group homes or abused by family members. My main saving grace was my amazing coworker Daphne, we were able to share these experiences and decompress on what happened that day.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As a creative, I’m kind of a jack of all trades. I do everything from sewing memory bears out of deceased loved one’s clothing for surviving family members to commissioned pet portraits. If I had to choose something that I specialize in, it’s definitely acrylic paintings, I’ve been painting for as long as I can remember. I am most proud of the recent commission I completed- a package that included a quilted tapestry, quilted table runners, a variety of ceramics and three pairs of custom painted Nikes. I think one of the main things that sets me apart is the variety of art forms I offer.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I’m always taking art commissions, and recently I’ve been doing murals at residential buildings! I love the creative process of creating a piece that will fill the space.
Pricing:
- Pet portraits start at $150
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rmgregory7.wixsite.com/home
- Instagram: endangeredartstudio
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelgregory1/
