Artist Statement

My larger-than-death oil paintings of deceased birds examine both the tension and tenderness that exists within mortality. I am drawn to the deaths of birds due to my personal experiences of loss and grief and the poignance of losing a small life. Observing environmental patterns reaching back for millenia reminds me of the beauty that can be found in death, and that life always finds a way to emerge. A Song Sparrow is surrounded by lush foliage and berries in its death. A Red-breasted Nuthatch laid to rest becomes larger than life, almost confrontationally. I intend to bring viewers face-to-face with the interconnected nature of the world to bring empathy towards these delicate avian subjects at a global turning point for ecological conservation.

My compassion and stewardship towards the environment can be definitively traced to my childhood amidst the biodiversity of the California Bay Area. I have always been driven to share my curiosity and concern for the natural world with others. I am influenced heavily by my background in biology and ornithology, and I use academic research, field observations, and outreach to the scientific community to inform my work. My paintings combine a background of detailed biological illustration with painterly techniques to communicate fragile ecological balances to my audience.

Artist Bio

Rachel Rothberg is an artist currently living in Bellingham, Washington. They earned a BFA in Studio Art with a concentration in painting from Western Washington University in 2021. Rachel also earned a BA in Art and a minor in Biology with Honors in 2020. When not painting, Rachel can be found working as a tattoo artist in their private studio, leading birdwatching hikes, singing in the university’s a capella ensemble, listening to audiobooks, and spending time outdoors.

Rachel Rothberg: Elegy

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