The Memory Jar

When I display my art at a gallery, or a coffee shop, or any event where I can, I put out a “memory jar.” It’s a mason jar, some slips of paper, and an invitation for people to contribute their favorite childhood memories.

The memory jar has been filled many times now, and each memory is a delight to read.

I don’t have enough time to paint them all, but when I can, I do. The paintings below were all inspired by the notes from of the memory jar.

To those of you who have contributed to the jar, I’m so thankful for each one of you for sharing your lovely stories!

You all inspire me! :)
— Rachel

Memory Jar

First Sight

"The first time I saw the ocean"

(Prints available)

Rainstorm Racers

"When I was four, my sister and I would gather the neighborhood kids when there was a huge rainstorm and we'd race from one house to the other in the pouring rain to stand under the eves before racing again."

(Prints available)

Fort Night

"Making forts, inside and out!"

(Prints available)

Story Time

"Lining up my dolls and stuffed animals and reading to them."

(Prints available)

One More Chapter

"Reading a book at night under my covers with a flashlight."

(Prints available)

Salamanders

"Catching salamanders out of the creek on our property, filling my Radio Flyer red wagon with water and rocks to put them in and watching them play in it for an entire day. Then releasing them in the evening, waving goodbye.”

(Prints available)

The Most Peaceful Place

"There was a place that no one knew of.
A place atop a hill with a long trail.
I'd go there often to think, to pray, to be with God.
No one knew where.
I was safe, high above everything.
And my heart was at the most peaceful place."

(Prints available)

Dress Up

"Playing dress up with my mother in our attic."

(Prints available)

Red Balloon

"I used to ski with a red balloon tied to my beanie so the ski instructor could find me at the bottom of the hill."

(Prints available)

To the Meadow

"Climb the fence
Coax the cow over
Slide off the fence onto the cow
Then she walks down the forest path out to the meadow"

(Prints available)

The Parachute

“My cousin read a book on parachutes. He explained it all, and talked me into jumping out of the second story of our barn with a big black umbrella.”

(Prints available)

Dancin’ in the Kitchen With Gramma

"Dancing in the kitchen with my grandma"

(Prints available)

Cookies!!

“Making cookies… Licking the beaters!”

(Prints available)

Sanctuary of Sticks

“Playing in the forest making forts from small fallen trees and branches” (prints available soon)

Winter Walk

"Walking through silent snowy forests with my mom” (prints available soon)

The Hollow Tree

“We went to school out in the country - and one of my favorite memories is playing house at recess in hollowed tree trunks in the school yard.”

Under the Stars

“I remember sleeping out on the trampoline in summer to try and see the falling stars.”

The Potting Shed

“Every summer, by best friend and I would sneak into this old rundown potting shed and clean it out and fill it with flowers and oddities."

The Gap in the Fence

“A gap in the fence - a world beyond.

Walking sticks,

The threat of danger - the promise of wonder.”

The Dance of the Sunflowers

"When I was little and I couldn't sleep, my mom would ask me if I wanted to see the sunflowers dance for the moon. We would go outside and we had these sunflowers that would be bobbing up and down in the wind, their little faces turned toward the moon. Makes me cry."