My name is Rachel Uchizono and I live in Old Southwest in Roanoke, VA. My goal as an artist is to express joy in a painting. To be an artist, you have to paint with dedication and courage. Oil paintings are very challenging and are not always attractive in the beginning stages. I paint things that I am attracted to. I love organic shapes and trees are a favorite subject. I paint seasonal fruit and flowers from my garden as well as my taxidermy peacock. Still life is also a favorite subject. I collect unique objects to arrange for my paintings. Hopi pots, Chinese opium jars, a Czech peacock light, the geisha vase, and tapestries are some of the things found in my paintings. Impressionist is how I would describe my paintings, although I have always had my own style.