Life & Work with Rachel Masker

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Masker.  

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Creating is my greatest meditation. I have always carried a creative energy but wasn’t always successful at allocating it. I don’t think it was until the last couple of years after having my daughter that I truly tapped into it and Bare Bones Bohemia came about. I am an artist in many different mediums. I love to paint and illustrate. I truly adore textiles and fashion. I love to take old worn clothes or fabrics and adorn a piece with funky textiles either found or made. I am a forager, a lover of anatomy and nature. I gather bones, sticks, stones, and give them life again in the form of art, or jewelry. I am a plant lover whose childhood friend taught me how to transform them into art. I like to keep my hands busy as I find it calms my restless mind. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Life has a funny way of showing you that you don’t have it all figured out. I graduated from Kendall College of Art and Design with a degree in medical illustration. I took my time and spent from 2007 – 2014 finding my way through a large assortment of classes. Finally landing on a major that felt just right for me. With many great opportunities lined up, everything I had worked hard for had taken a quick turn. I found out I was pregnant a month before graduation. Choosing to stay in Michigan and focus on growing a family instead of a career turned my plans upside down. Despite the unexpected turn I always sought a creative outlet. I found ways to adapt to a newfound way of life and kept my hands busy in many forms of art. I now have an 8-year-old daughter and 4-year-old son who are also both incredibly creative. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a freelance artist. I create custom jewelry, paintings, and illustrations. I also work part-time as a human anatomy dissector at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. I really enjoy the fine details in all aspects of my work. When my hands are busy, I am able to be still. I think what sets me apart from others is that it’s not necessarily one style, subject, or medium that I marry myself to, but allocating my energy to what project or idea has the most potential. Potential for my own enjoyment and others. 

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
The covid crisis was and still is heavy, honestly, a bit of a blur. 2020 I was in the thick of motherhood and it made me realize how important community is. Normalize checking in on your friends, family, and your own mental health. I learned that making you a priority isn’t selfish, it’s necessary. 

Support your local businesses. As a small business owner, myself. I know how it feels to do a dance each time someone chooses to make a purchase from me. If I can pass that feeling along to others, then heck, let’s put on our dancing shoes. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.barebonesbohemia.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barebonesbohemia 

Image Credits
Sara Herzog