John Rae
After raising three beautiful daughters, and watching them venture off into their own lives, my wife, Nancy, and I decided to retire. We moved from the beautiful but rainy Pacific Northwest (Seattle) to a dream life in PebbleCreek in 2003.
My retirement didn’t last long as I went to work part time for the city of Litchfield and the department of building safety, and I loved it. In addition to my duties, the city gave me renewed opportunities in the field of building design, which has always been fun and challenging.
Besides building design, my artwork has also been a challenge in trying to establish my own art style while working in different mediums (pencil, pen/ink, acrylics, and oils) and while constantly experimenting with new techniques.
My formal art education started at the University of Washington, while in the School of Architecture (Building Construction Management). My declared minor was art, so I literally spent all my free time in the art studio lab working on art projects. Had a bed and refrigerator been supplied, I could’ve saved my housing allowance and just moved in. Since my other love was architecture, it was easy to find subject matter in such a beautiful campus setting.
After graduation, I gained interest in a painting style that uses acrylic wash as a background and later, after taking a couple of additional college watercolor classes and by adding pen and ink, I started creating an artwork style that I felt satisfied with.
In February 2022, in an attempt to try something new and different, I decided to take a wood carving class. In addition to learning this new skill, I have found a family of friends, eager to pass on techniques and encouragement. This has turned out to be a dream come true for me. Painting has combined very nicely with my carvings. Next year I will be teaching a painting skills class for the Woodcarvers Club.