About Rachel N. Oliver

“The best art is messy art.” I’m not sure which teacher said that, but it sums up my art journey well; messy.

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I began with the belief that success meant becoming a doctor, so I pursued psychiatry—even while gaining recognition for my hand-drawn portraits. But I soon realized I loved art too much to leave it as just a hobby, which led me to explore Art Therapy as a career.

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That shift led to my BFA alongside a B.S. in Psychology from Augustana College. I followed the Art Therapy path until the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted everything by canceling my internships and mentorships. With remote work rising, I pivoted and completed a Graphic Design Certificate at Aims Community College in 2023.

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At Aims, I began working as a Content Manager and Graphic Designer for Anthesis Group, a sustainability consulting firm, where I still work today. But my art journey doesn’t end there. My dream is to bring characters and stories to life through illustration, drawing those keyframes that pack an emotional punch.

 

To get there, I completed the Concept Art Foundations and Fundamentals course at CG Spectrum in February 2025, and plan to begin their Illustration specialization course this October.