Rachael Padilla

Slinky Bra

It's time to dust this old beauty off!  One of my very favorite, and weirdest filmed works is "Slinky Bra."  I have tried to explain it, but it's best experienced.  If you've never had the pleasure of seeing this unusual piece of costume and performance, I welcome you to do so. If you've seen it before and would like to see it again enjoy, weirdo. 

Clean Piece

This is, "Clean Piece". A recording in real time of the ceremony of cleanliness. 

Of the countless ceremonies that comprise a day, the shower is essential and common. I set this particular event to its natural sounds and a subtle music track. 

Applying Gesso to a Canvas

I have an idea for a new large scale painting. But first thing's first, I have to apply gesso to the canvas. There are several ways to apply gesso, I like applying it with a card or plastic scraper, but I often apply it with a brush. Both of those techniques create a bit of texture on the canvas. This time, I want the canvas to be super smooth, so I opted to apply first with a card, then roll it with a roller. It's often the messiest part of my process. Often leading to gesso on my clothes. I tried to avoid that this time. I still got it all over my hands and on my forearm. I will have more on this piece soon! 

Work in Progress

I taped a giant piece of paper to my studio door and set to work with my watercolors. I was striving for free flowing creativity. The watercolors were very free flowing, too! I intend to revisit this piece with a Krink marker. I often revisit watercolor paintings with an ink pen after they've dried, but they're usually much smaller paintings. The larger scale painting requires the larger scale Krink marker. The Krink is a favorite amongst street artists and taggers, so it' also going to be fun to work with. I'll document that phase when I get to it!

Wednesday Walk

 This Wednesday walk features a beautiful morning walk in the woods. While the leaves are currently subtly beginning to change color, I emphasized the golden colors of autumn in the editing process to enhance the fall "vibe".  I especially enjoy the bursts of sun rays through the trees in this footage. 

Tuesday Update 10-3-23

All about what's already happened this week! Updates on some pottery making, which I haven't shared much about lately, including a beautiful new color of glaze! Also, an update on submissions for upcoming shows. 

Today's Drawing

Here's today's drawing presented in real time and set to music.

Selfie in Three Parts

Today’s haiku:

Sippin’ a cola

Is an early memory

Fizz tickled my nose.

I think that sodas had more bubbles back then, too! It seemed like an eternity before the foam would subside and I could drink my cola. Maybe I was just impatient, resulting in fizz tickling my nose.

In Progress

I love it when inspiration comes to me in dreams!

I woke from a dream this morning and promptly sketched out what I saw. I didn't want to lose the vividness of what I'd dreamed. I took it further with a small painting in the afternoon, which is documented here. I think that this design will ultimately lead to a larger work as soon as I figure out all the details!

Poetry on the Floor

Early evening sunlight through the windows casts the prettiest shadows and the warmest glow. 

I took a few minutes to lie on the floor, poetry book in hand. Soaked up the light and enjoyed some poetry by one of my favorite poets!

Art Talk

Two art pieces that have been at the forefront of my mind and talking points....

"Student Debt" and "Space Force?" have been pieces I've thought about a lot lately! From submitting work to group exhibitions to the prospect of private funding through grants. I'd like to share a bit more with you about these pieces...

Dance from the past!

This is a classic that was enormously popular.  It's a simple little edited dance video, but the costume really captured the imaginations of all of my fans!  It's weird and fun and silly to boot!  I hope that you enjoy it and I'll be posting some great new stuff soon! 

A Dozen

This is "A Dozen". This full version is available to patrons only. Parts of it will be included in this week's YouTube video. 

It's about subverting expectations. 

Wednesday Walk

Often times when filming these walks, it isn't necessarily the primary purpose for the given location. 

I had an idea involving stairs, while somewhere in-between sleep and dream. I love it when ideas come to me like that. They don't always work out how I expect, but I do try to create them when I can. It's is funny to me that I edit and film so often, that I even do it in my sleep these days.

Anyway, I included the filmed version of my idea on the stairs with this Wednesday walk. I'm not sure if it came out as well as I'd hoped, but I'm glad I filmed it all the same. 

On the Easel

Today's "On the Easel" features two paintings that I've been working on.

While the Spicey Rooster when you last saw it, was "mostly" done, it is currently complete! I needed to go over the white areas and even out some of the red that became the negative spaces. All in all, I'm happy with it, and this close up video really showcases the layers of white on top of the initial black underpainting. 

The other piece, that's only been shared in sketch form so far (in yesterday's Tuesday Update), is now complete! It's inspired by a vintage Michelin Man poster. He looks like a Ninja Turtle prototype, and he's driving a motorcycle super fast! I love the dynamic swooshes in this design. 

In general, two pieces that were really fun to make! 

Tuesday Update

Happy Taco Tuesday! 

It's been a busy week! I currently have two paintings in progress. Get a peek of them in today's update, along with everything else that I'm up to!

Surf Skate Progress

I may have already said this, but I'll say it again: I have not had this much fun since I learned to ride a bike. 

I am so glad that I continued to practice riding the surf skate even when I didn't feel confident about it. I had never ever been on any kind of skate board in my life, so it was a completely new skillset. I feel that there is so much more to learn, but every time I step on my board, I love it! 

Here's a look at my progress!

On the Easel

I’ve made quite a bit of progress on the sriracha rooster!

This piece continues my study and interpretations of logos, pop art, and fonts. It’s a direction that i wouldn’t have anticipated enjoying so much. But overall, I find the expansion of my skills very rewarding.

Vacuum Repair

I've spoken before about the importance of repair. In addition to creating art, repairing things gives me great satisfaction. I've had this vacuum for a long time, but it has been out of commission for awhile. I finally acquired a new belt for it, and I thought it could be something interesting to share with you. This process was not complicated, but I still found some bits of the  overall process that took me a few tries to figure out. 

I'm glad to report that I managed to make it work, and the carpet in my studio is very tidy now!

On the Easel

I was anxious to create, but I didn't have a vision for a final product. With a sheet of drawing paper, some ink, a wash brush and pastels, I just started working.  This is what came out. 

Sometimes it's best just to create, regardless of the outcome! 

I hope you've had a lovely, creative weekend yourself! 

Behind the Scenes

This is an in depth look behind the scenes of "Home Cooking".

I set up another camera to capture the complete process of creating an art movie! 

Home Cooking

This is, "Home Cooking", a short art movie in black and white. 

Props for this movie include an old wood kitchen stove, a pan, a utensil, and a costume reminiscent of a bygone era.

On the Easel

Feeling a little spicy today as I sketch out a rooster for a new painting. It’s not just any rooster, it’s the Sriracha Rooster!

Pruning

For healthy plants, trees and gardens, regular pruning is necessary. 

Perhaps everything in life may benefit from regular pruning...

Toiling

In the lovely light of a magical hour, the golden sun shines on busy spiders and their elaborate weavings. They toil in what is left of the day.

Wednesday Walk

A beautiful walk on a cool afternoon. As summer fades, days are still sunny and warm. But there's a fresh coolness on the breeze. The pine trees smell stronger, and the scent of willow floats through the air. 

Tuesday Update

Happy Taco Tuesday! 

Here's what's going on with me this week. From what I'm working on for YouTube to what I'm working on with a legal team to stop up holes and leaks. 

I am so glad that you're here! Thank you for being interested enough in my work to support me. It means the world to me, and I'm so grateful! 

Poetry Reading: Comets

This is a reading of, "Comets", by Richard Brautigan.

It begins:

There are comets that flash through our mouths wearing the grace of oceans and galaxies. 

God know, we try to do the best we can....

It's a lovely reading for a lovely golden afternoon.

An Important Announcement

In the light of the golden hour, I recorded this special announcement with gratitude in my heart for each one of you. You've chosen to help support a living artist. Thank you so much! 

Just a quick FYI for all of my Patrons so that you're aware of what's going on. I don't want anyone to be concerned if any of my older content, particularly videos, are not available. 

Hopefully, this is temporary. I don't anticipate this being permanent. 

Fading Summer

A beautiful afternoon. I lay out in the sunshine, but something has changed. 

Summer is fading. I see it in the light, in the  fallen leaves on the moss beneath my feet. In the faded yellows of the muscadine. Even the sad song of a distant ice-cream truck sings of summer gone by. .

Doesn't matter. I hold it still. 

This is, "Fading Summer".