Artist Uses Oil Paint to Create Expressive Portraits of Birds

March 3, 2024

For as long as she can remember, Rachel Altschuler has been fascinated by the unique energy and spirit of birds. And so, she has invested her artistic talents into creating striking avian portraits rendered in oil paint. Her passion for birds shines through in these expressive paintings, which focus on the unique characteristics of each species.

All of Altschuler’s birds are painted against neutral backgrounds, which allows their features to pop. Using loose brushstrokes, Altschuler renders their feathery plumes in a way that pays homage to their bright, vibrant personalities. Whether painting a pensive-looking puffin or a regal flamingo, each bird’s unique character is highlighted.

By using oil paint, a medium used for portraiture by the Old Masters, Altschuler elevates these birds to a new level. In creating portraits akin to the ones typically reserved for humans, she’s reminding us that wildlife and humans are on an equal playing field. She acknowledges that birds hold special meaning for many people, and she hopes that, through her art, she can foster an even deeper connection with them.

Altschuler’s art will be available to an even wider audience starting this summer when she opens her own gallery space. Rachel Altschuler Gallery is opening on June 1, 2024. Located in New Harbor, Maine, her paintings will be right at home in the small, New England coastal village.

“Maine is my happy place. I find so much solace in the beauty of my natural surroundings there, and that has been so impactful in my life. It’s been a dream of mine to open a gallery there, and this fall, I was lucky enough to find the perfect spot,” she tells My Modern Met. “New Harbor is an idyllic, coastal village located in the midcoast region of Maine. The natural beauty of the area, with its fishing wharves, rocky coastline, and incredible sunsets, is no doubt why it was voted the nicest place in Maine in Reader’s Digest.”

“More importantly, the local art scene is absolutely packed with some of New England’s finest artists. I feel so lucky to be a part of this community and can’t wait to open my doors for the first time this summer.”