Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Mambach.
Hi Rachel, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
When I was in second grade my father graduated with his Masters in Fine Arts, and I attended the ceremony with my family. That was when I decided I wanted to be an art teacher. I knew I wanted art to be my life, but I also knew I needed art to be my career. It’s no surprise I came to that conclusion at such a young age. My father is an amazing painter, I used to sew with my maternal grandmother, my paternal grandfather was a teacher, and my mother always encouraged creativity in every form. So here we are today. I’ve been teaching for 18 years…16 of those as a public school art teacher, and I officially registered as an LLC to sell my art almost 9 years ago.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Have you ever met an artist who had a smooth road? Mine wasn’t particularly bumpy, but I had to dig and pave the road myself. Getting a teaching job as an art teacher in 2008 was almost impossible. After 2 years of consistently interviewing, I finally landed a job as an art teacher in a public school. I wasn’t their first choice, but I’m still there 16 years later so I guess they made the right choice after all.
As far as my art business, I made it happen. I cold called (and emailed) businesses to organize pop-ups, libraries and hotels to organize exhibits, became a vendor at events large and small, and sold my art on consignment in several local stores. Now that I have a son, I’ve changed my strategy. I try to sell more work online, I pretty much only have pop-ups at coffee shops, and I enter my work in exhibits arranged by others. It gives me more time to spend with my family and to spend actually creating more art. It’s paid off too. I was finally accepted into my first juried show in 2023 after years of being turned down by many juried shows in many places. It was a virtual show organized by Point Pleasant Beach Arts. I told myself I was only accepted because it was virtual so there was no issue with running out of wall space. They could accept more artwork. But then in 2024 I was accepted into the Belmar Arts Annual Juried Art Show. This was a real show, and it was very validating. I went to the opening, and my artwork was behind the snack table. That got lots of people into the general area where my work was displayed, and I guess SOMEONE’S art had to be behind the snack table. Then in 2025 I was accepted into the Monmouth Museum Annual Juried Exhibition. THAT was a big deal for me. Color and texture are my favorite aspects of art, and I could tell that the Monmouth Museum exhibit was arranged by color. My art was in the most perfectly logical spot.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I create beautiful art. I love color and texture, In a world that is exceedingly ugly, beautiful art is a protest. I don’t have one specific medium or subject, but recently I’ve found myself creating landscapes with a surreal quality. Of course, I also fill my Etsy shop with fun things like peg dolls, art journals and kits, puzzles, and charms. I’m proud of all of it. I’m proud that I’m a mom, a wife, and a teacher, but I still have time to make and sell my art.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I’m going to be honest. I’m old school. I like notebooks, wall calendars, and good ol’ Google searches. Google sheets helps me keep my finances in order, but other than that I don’t use anything consistently.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rachelmambach.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelmambachart
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RachelMambachArt/
- Other: https://rachelmambachart.etsy.com
