Artist Interviews 2025

Rachel Berkowitz  
By Johnny Otto



Your work emphasizes a connection between humans and nature through biophilic structures. Could you describe how this theme first emerged in your art, and how it has evolved over time?

My connection between humans and nature through biophilic structures emerged during a transformative chapter of my life—a three-month “van life” journey across America’s national parks in 2019. Immersing myself in the awe-inspiring landscapes of these parks awakened a profound appreciation for the intricate beauty and grounding qualities of nature. This experience, coupled with my lifelong love of hiking, solidified the importance of preserving and celebrating the natural world in my work. Whether trekking through towering redwoods, watching the sunrise over desert vistas, or feeling dwarfed by mountain peaks, these moments deeply influenced how I approach my art. Growing up in London, parks were a vital refuge for me. They were places of escape and inspiration, where I could connect with nature amid the urban sprawl. This grounding sense of calm and clarity that parks provided as a child shaped my outlook and continues to inform my creative process. When I moved to Los Angeles in 2012, I fell in love with the city’s unique juxtaposition of urban vibrancy and natural splendor. The ability to explore hiking trails, mountains, and beaches, all within a short drive, made me feel connected to the environment in a way that felt expansive and restorative. My artwork aims to evoke the grounding and meditative qualities that nature provides. I translate the serenity of a dense forest, the rhythmic flow of a river, or the expansive stillness of a desert into tangible, immersive experiences through biophilic structures. These works are designed to bring a sense of calm and connection to those who interact with them, mirroring the clarity and renewal I feel in natural spaces. Over time, my art has evolved to incorporate sustainable materials and elements of motion, creating pieces that not only reflect nature but also interact with their environment in meaningful ways. My goal is to remind people of the essential connection we all share with the natural world and the profound sense of well-being it can provide.



How do you approach the process of capturing complex emotions and the human experience in your artwork, particularly in media like painting and drawing?

I approach capturing complex emotions and the human experience in my artwork by letting the medium guide how I express those feelings. With painting, I embrace abstraction as a way to begin with an emotion and let it flow through me onto the canvas. My brushstrokes and gestures are direct extensions of my heart—each movement reflects the intensity, rhythm, or softness of what I’m feeling in the moment. The process is intuitive and raw, allowing me to convey emotions that are often difficult to articulate with words. Color plays an especially vital role in my abstract work. I love exploring how different hues and combinations can evoke specific moods or feelings. Color theory is a powerful tool I use to amplify these emotions, but much of my inspiration comes from nature itself. I’m constantly seeking natural moments—a sunset’s gradient, the greens of a forest, or the stark contrasts of desert landscapes—that contain a palette I can translate into my paintings. These palettes allow me to bring an organic, grounded quality to my work while expressing the vibrancy of human experience. With drawing, my approach is more figurative and narrative. Drawings allow me to express a certain moment or to create a storyline, capturing exact states of emotion with clarity and precision. Whether it’s a detailed figure or a symbolic element, I use drawing to focus on storytelling—freezing a fleeting emotion or interaction in time. It’s a medium that feels more controlled, which is perfect for exploring specific ideas or experiences in depth. Together, painting and drawing offer me a balance: the freedom of abstraction to explore the intangible, and the structure of figurative work to articulate the specific. Both are essential tools in how I communicate the layered, complex emotions and stories that define the human experience.



You’ve exhibited your work in both solo and group shows around the world. Is there a particular exhibition or experience that stands out as pivotal in your career?

A pivotal moment in my career was my first solo painting showcase in Las Vegas. This exhibition was transformative because it allowed me to reach a wider audience with my paintings for the very first time. I learnt a great deal about setting up a show; all the behind the scenes work such as planning, prepping, travel, PR, outreach needed etc. The show featured an oil painting series about gambling, a concept that deeply inspired me during my time in the city. The paintings explored symbols of luck and chance, using these motifs to draw parallels to how we navigate our lives. One of the central elements of the series was anthropomorphic slot machines, which served as metaphors for the decision-making processes we encounter daily—how much of our lives are driven by chance versus intention. This show was particularly meaningful because it was displayed in the very city that inspired the work. Being able to bring these ideas full circle felt incredibly validating. It was also the first time I painted large-scale pieces in oils, which gave me the opportunity to experiment and create a substantial body of work. The response was overwhelmingly positive. Even before the exhibition opened, a collector reached out and purchased four of the pieces. That moment gave me a huge boost of confidence—not just in the quality of the work, but in the realization that painting was the direction I wanted to focus on moving forward. Since that show, painting has become central to my practice. The experience reaffirmed my ability to communicate complex themes and emotions through visual art and solidified my belief that storytelling through painting could resonate with a wide audience. It remains a cornerstone moment in my journey as an artist.



Your art has reached a wide audience, even appearing on Netflix’s *Selling Sunset* and in *The Wall Street Journal*. How has this exposure influenced your work or opened new opportunities?

Having my art featured on Netflix’s Selling Sunset and in The Wall Street Journal has been an incredible experience that has significantly expanded the reach of my work. This exposure introduced my art to a much broader audience, including interior designers, stagers, and collectors who might not have encountered my work otherwise. It created opportunities for new connections and collaborations, particularly within the design and real estate industries.



As a SoHo Home artist, how does your work align with the brand’s aesthetic and values, and what has this partnership added to your practice?

These platforms gave my work a new level of visibility and allowed people to see how my pieces can complement and transform a space. This has led to partnerships with interior designers and stagers who incorporate my art into their projects, showcasing it in dynamic and beautifully curated environments. These relationships have become an essential part of my artistic practice, helping me explore how art functions not only as personal expression but also as an integral part of creating meaningful, lived-in spaces. This exposure has also broadened my outreach, enabling me to connect with people who resonate with my work on a deeper level. It has reinforced my belief in the power of art to evoke emotion and tell stories in ways that transcend gallery walls, and it continues to inspire me to create pieces that speak to a variety of audiences. The opportunities that have come from this visibility have been pivotal in shaping the trajectory of my career.



Can you tell us about the role that artist residencies and community projects have played in shaping your artistic vision and expanding the themes in your work?

Artist residencies and community projects have been instrumental in shaping my artistic vision and expanding the themes in my work. One of the aspects I value most is the opportunity to learn from other artists, especially those from different cultures and backgrounds. Engaging with diverse perspectives broadens my creative approach and challenges me to see my work through new lenses. Collaboration is another element I deeply enjoy. Being able to work alongside artists I admire and respect is incredibly inspiring. There’s something powerful about sharing ideas, techniques, and stories in a space that fosters creativity. I also value the opportunity to be critiqued by my peers—it’s one of the most effective ways to grow as an artist. Honest, thoughtful feedback pushes me to refine my work and dive deeper into the concepts I’m exploring. Residencies, in particular, are special to me because they allow for uninterrupted time to fully focus on a singular project. Stepping into a new environment with like-minded creatives, away from the distractions of everyday life, creates the perfect atmosphere for exploration and experimentation. These experiences not only fuel my work but also deepen my connection to the broader artistic community. Beyond personal growth, these opportunities often inspire new themes in my art, rooted in the relationships, conversations, and cultural exchanges I experience. They remind me that art is both deeply personal and inherently communal—a balance that continues to drive my practice.



You’re involved in teaching art to children in underserved communities and creating public murals in Los Angeles. What do you find most rewarding about these community-oriented projects?

Teaching art to children in underserved communities and creating public murals in Los Angeles are incredibly rewarding aspects of my work because they allow me to connect with others and share the joy of creativity. Teaching is a true passion of mine. Growing up, I was deeply inspired by my art teachers, who not only encouraged my creativity but also showed me the transformative power of art. Now, being in a position to inspire children, especially those who lack access to art education in LAUSD schools, feels like coming full circle. Many of the children I teach have never been to an art museum or gallery, and introducing them to the world of art is an eye-opening experience—for both them and me. I love starting each session by sharing a piece of art history and relating it to the project we’ll create together. It’s amazing to see their excitement as they connect with ideas and realize that they, too, can create something meaningful. Watching their confidence grow as they express themselves is one of the most fulfilling aspects of teaching. Public murals, on the other hand, allow me to engage with my community in a broader, more immediate way. Murals bring art directly into the public eye, making it accessible to everyone and creating shared experiences in the spaces we inhabit. These projects let me collaborate with other artists and community members, fostering a sense of connection and pride in our shared environment. For me, it’s about giving back and ensuring that art remains a vital part of the cultural fabric of Los Angeles. Both teaching and mural work remind me of why I fell in love with art in the first place: its power to inspire, connect, and transform lives.



Do you see a connection between your public mural work for the City of Los Angeles and your broader artistic themes? How do you adapt your style or message when working on a large-scale public piece?

There is a strong connection between my public mural work for the City of Los Angeles and the broader themes in my art. Whether I’m working on a large-scale mural or a smaller, more intimate piece, I always stay true to my core themes—connection, emotion, and the interplay between humans and their environment. Public murals allow me to bring these ideas to life on a much larger scale, creating works that are not just for individuals but for entire communities to engage with. When working on commissioned pieces or public murals, I adapt my techniques to suit the specific space, ensuring the work resonates with its surroundings. This might involve changing materials or incorporating design elements that reflect the culture, history, or mood of the neighborhood. However, I always stay authentic to my artistic voice. Even with these adaptations, it’s often clear to those familiar with my work that a mural is by my hand. My use of color, form, and storytelling remains consistent, creating a recognizable thread across all my pieces. Public murals are particularly special because they allow me to interact with a broader audience, inviting them to experience art as part of their everyday lives. They also challenge me to think on a larger scale and consider how people will move through and around the work. These pieces expand my practice while staying firmly rooted in the themes that define my artistic vision. Ultimately, they allow me to create meaningful connections between my art and the vibrant, diverse communities of Los Angeles.