For Rachel Siminoski, art has never been something separate from life—it has always been there, quietly woven into her earliest memories. According to her mother, Siminoski toddled around the house clutching a notepad and pencil, scribbling with purpose long before she could articulate why. Growing up surrounded by artwork made by family members—including her great grandmother, father, and uncle—creativity felt less like a choice and more like an atmosphere. Still, it wasn’t until halfway through college that she began to see art not just as a passion, but as a possible path forward.
That path was shaped early on by pivotal mentors who offered a glimpse into what an artistic life could look like. A middle school summer drawing class with artist Jill Crowe—who later became one of Siminoski’s high school art teachers—left a lasting impression. Crowe’s studio, nestled on her property, was the first space where Siminoski could envision herself as a working artist. One drawing from that class still hangs in her parents’ dining room as a quiet marker of beginnings. Later, during her undergraduate years, professor Mariam Stephan played a transformative role. Teaching Advanced Drawing during Siminoski’s senior year, Stephan pushed her to work faster and more intuitively. The solution was unexpected: painting. Though Siminoski had never taken a formal painting course, picking up a brush unlocked a new way of thinking and working that continues to shape her practice today.
Originally a biology major, Siminoski switched to Studio Art halfway through her sophomore year, eventually concentrating in Printmaking and Drawing. That scientific foundation still informs her work, which often references biological systems such as membranes, cells, lungs, and the spine. Her paintings depict abstract, biomorphic enclosures that explore themes of transition, growth, renewal, and change—both physical and emotional. Raised by a chemist and guided by her own curiosity about science, she approaches painting as a kind of problem-solving exercise, often likening the process to a game of chess: one thoughtful move at a time.
Siminoski works primarily with fluid acrylics on canvas or panel, stretching, priming, and sanding her own surfaces to achieve a smoothness that allows for subtle tonal shifts and saturated color. Each painting begins with sketches—often on tracing paper—where she refines structure while allowing room for evolution. Though she values planning, the final work always diverges from its origin. Intuition and responsiveness guide the process, and part of the excitement lies in remaining open to change.
As a mother of young children, Siminoski’s studio practice is shaped by the realities of caregiving. Her days are fluid, with studio time often carved out during nap windows or late evenings. Consistency, rather than long uninterrupted hours, is the goal. Sketchbooks become spaces for journaling, drawing, and organizing thoughts, while painting happens whenever time allows. She credits her husband’s encouragement as a vital source of support, reminding her to protect time for making.
Motherhood has profoundly transformed both her life and her visual language. Earlier grayscale, architectural forms have softened into warmer, womb-like spaces filled with color and care. Major life events—including grief and loss—have continued to reshape her imagery, expanding her visual lexicon and emotional depth. Recently, Siminoski has been exploring the idea of luck, incorporating symbols like four-leaf clovers and horseshoes while questioning how fortune shifts during life’s transitional moments.
When viewers encounter her work, Siminoski hopes they feel a sense of connection—perhaps even recognition. Many describe her paintings as nurturing or protective, responses she holds close. Currently, she is experimenting with scaled-up cut-paper drawings arranged directly on the wall, laying the groundwork for a new body of work that moves beyond the traditional rectangular canvas.
Siminoski currently has two paintings featured in the Director’s Choice exhibition at the Cain Center for the Arts in Cornelius, North Carolina, on view through March 7. For emerging artists, her advice is simple but hard-earned: keep making work. Persistence matters. For herself, success looks like painting every day, continuing to exhibit, and someday supporting her family as a full-time artist. If she could offer her younger self one piece of wisdom, it would be this: trust your intuition, and follow what feels right.
To learn more about Rachel Siminoski’s work, visit rachelsiminoski.com or follow her on Instagram @rachelsiminoski.
