Rachel Robic had a strong artistic side from a very young age but for the past 8 years she has really embraced the calling. Now 34, she feels a deep connection to the arts and has chosen oil on canvas as the medium to convey her spirit.

Rachel has always been inspired by nature and this is the primary focus of her work. She is particularly concerned about the diminishing population of bees. “They are such misunderstood little creatures that have a huge impact on this earth. Without bees, humanity will suffer. This is one of the reasons that I love to paint bees, to draw attention to how important they are to us.” 

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Rachel started with small commissioned pieces from family and friends, but one particular piece would become extra special to her.

A Change in Perspective.

One day, Rachel’s friend Melanie requested a special commission for her friend Denise. It had been Denise’s dream to travel to Paris, but in 2005 that dream would be interrupted. Denise was just 22 when she was diagnosed with a rare disease known as Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC). PSC is a chronic disease that destroys the liver.

Melanie & Denise met in a support group for PSC and became quite close. By age 32 Denise would undergo her first of three liver transplants. Melanie recalls that even in the throes of recurrent PSC, Denise would speak of going to Paris – her lifelong dream, which for appearances sake was less and less likely to become her reality.

In an effort to bring Paris to Denise, Melanie purchased a French cookbook, made her potholders, place mats, and an apron with Parisian designs. “Of course, she was grateful but it still couldn’t begin to compare with the sights and sounds of the beautiful city.  So one day, I thought maybe if she could see the Eiffel Tower every day she’d be reminded of her dream, and it would give her incentive to press on and attain her heart’s desire” recalls Melanie in an interview with the Trophy Club Journal.

 “After viewing a plethora of images online, I found exactly what I’d been looking for.  I sent the image to Rachel and asked if she would paint it as a gift for Denise.  She not only agreed, she mastered it.  The painting turned out beautifully, and Denise was elated!” said Melanie.

Rachel was deeply motivated by her friends request to paint the Eiffel Tower. “It was perhaps the most determined that I have felt while working on a painting” says Rachel about the commission.

Rachel’s artwork ended up on the wall Denise’s dining area, just where Melanie thought it would be best suited. It hung there as a reminder of her dreams, inspiration and incentive to press on. Just as Melanie had hoped, in the summer of 2016 Denise accepted the risk and took a trip to Paris with her 16 year old son.  As she stood near the base of the Eiffel Tower she realized, her dream finally became her reality. 

On December 1, 2017 Denise passed away while undergoing the third liver transplant – three days before her 45th birthday.  “I will forever be grateful to Rachel for helping me to create an environment that not only brought Denise so much joy but encouraged her to live life to the fullest!” says Melanie.

Art, it seems, can have both broad impacts on the world through thoughtful activism as well as narrow impacts on the individual by inspiring the heart to press on and fulfill one’s dreams, even in the midst of struggle and sickness.

With the love of a good friend and with inspiration of Rachel Robic’s art, Denise was able fulfill her dream…and in so doing she inspires us to fulfill ours.

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Rachel’s inspirational work has been on display in many local exhibits including Kamme Art Gallery in Sanger, Central Arts of Bedford, Arlington Arts Association, Artist Enclave of Denton County, Texas Visual Arts Association, TMJ Plus in Grapevine, as well as here in Trophy Club for a day show at Fuller Rhythm. At the time of this publication her art is on display at Central Arts in Hurst. To inquire about commissions, contact Rachel at: oils.easels@gmail.com

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