As a child growing up in Alexandria, Virginia Rachel was instinctively creative and drawn to the arts. She received training in the Old Masters’ technique of oil painting which honed skill, patience and discipline. In high school and college she continued studies in art with a special interest in Interior Design. Rachel pursued working with commercial and residential clients in northeast Florida, beginning at a design studio in St. Augustine and later had her own studio. She ultimately freelanced in that area; her duration in that field exceeding 20 years. Clients have described her attributes including “dedication, eye for perfection, extraordinary talent”, “with a superb sense of the use of color”. During that time artistic growth continued by studying with talents at museums, private studios and a local college. When faux finishing displaced wallpaper in the ‘90’s Rachel began to return to the paint medium. Concurrently she started painting on location while traveling. This evolved to the point of custom paintings for her clients. Rachel then found and continues to find her greatest joy when painting; especially outdoors! Her husband, Dr. Michael Schiff decided to take a job at Roswell in Buffalo, which necessitated the move from Florida to western New York. While they still retain a presence in Florida, Michael and Rachel gravitated to Lewiston and Youngstown; both charming enclaves in Niagara County. The shop space on Main St. in Youngstown seemed a perfect addition toward integrating within the community.

Herself being a soul who knows struggle, Rachel pursued a spiritual path in tandem with her artistic one. Having come out on the other side with gratefulness her present motto is "choosing to live in a beautiful world". This is one thing that she shares in common with many other artists and customers who frequent Artistic Soul. Rachel believes in this motto so strongly that customers are rewarded with a discount for reciting it. Whether enjoying the unique, original, and one-of-a-kind paintings, jewelry and accessories, participating in a workshop to develop your own creativity or just stopping by to exchange a kind word and a smile, we hope that your world will be more beautiful with the presence of Artistic Soul.

Services:

• Original and commissioned artwork by Rachel Thompson Schiff $75.00 sq. ft. Custom work includes landscapes of your favorite places and homes.
  
• Gift Consultation No Charge
  
• Creativity workshops Fees vary accordingly
  

EXPRESS via the unique and one-of-a-kind selections (to fit any budget) for the home and personal adornment available in this wonderful gallery/boutique; Find jewelry from talents who are local, national and international. Two featured lines are California’s Anne Dick bronze and sterling pieces and Israel’s Ayala Bar who is recognized globally for her limited edition mosaic jewelry design. Embrace sculptural artistry for your home. Rising stars are represented such as Youngstown's own Katy Reese, jewelry designer/instructor and Paul Norwich, sculptor of wooden "keep-sake" boxes. Katy is available by appointment to take repairs and custom design orders. She also teaches jewelry making, and is willing to employ and/or impart her skills which have been developed through education and experience. Paul's boxes are created in organic designs that are inspired by nature. Each box is cut from a solid block of wood with its unique character derived from that wood in the hands of Paul Norwich. England’s foremost sandcast glass artist, Amanda Brisbane is also displayed at Carnegie Glass Museum and for sale at Artistic Soul.

Smaller artistic gift items are available such as our best selling Soap Rocks line of soaps that look like semiprecious stones!. Rachel’s heart is in her art! Enjoy her original mixed media paintings throughout the intimate space. She does have some local work as well as landscapes painted on location while traveling all over the world; Tahiti, California, and Israel for example. Rachel is also comfortable with commissions, having just completed one for clients in Florida.