The Art of... feature
Rachell
hyman
the art of nature
RACHELL HYMAN HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN ARTIST. Her earliest memory of
creating is when she carved a Bible from a large bar of Ivory soap. “I learned to
do that in Vacation Bible School!” When she was in grade school, Rachell often
used birthday money and allowances to buy paint- by-number kits to express
her desire to create.
She shares some of her accomplishments, “My favorite memories of art classes in school were that [art] was something that I could do well. I was recognized
as an artist by classmates and teachers and was often given extra art projects
to do. I created a booklet in the seventh grade that won a prize for Best in Class.
I also created a blue ballerina using blue clay and sugar glitter on a Tinker Toy
support that I ‘borrowed’ from an older brother! I was the Art Editor for the
McClenaghan High School yearbook for 1961, responsible for all the drawings
for the ‘Around the World’ theme for the book. In the 1970’s, I won a prize for
creating the bicentennial stamp for Beaufort, South Carolina.”
She loved art; however, she went on to pursue a degree in nursing after high
school. Throughout her time in the medical field, Rachell’s main focus was
critical care. With a Masters degree in Nursing Administration, she served as
Vice President of Nursing for several years at Bruce Hospital. She also taught
medical-surgical nursing at MUSC, Francis Marion University, and Florence-Darlington Technical College. In 2001, Rachell helped establish Regency Hospital.
Despite working as a nurse, Rachell searched for creative outlets. “I started
Once she retired in 2001, Rachell was able to become a full-time artist. During this time, she and her husband
making porcelain dolls in the early 90’s. My husband built me a studio, and I
worked on building her studio. “I really appreciate having a studio separate from the house. I can work at any
bought a kiln. Making dolls was a wonderful outlet [for] creating a form of art,
time and leave the painting without worrying about it being disturbed. The studio is also great for storage for
and [it] was also a social activity with many of my nurse friends. We made dolls
all the supplies needed for my artwork. Each type of painting requires different supplies, from canvases for oil
from toddler-sized to pocket-sized. For several years, we made nurse dolls that
and acrylic to paper for watercolor. There are also special types of supports for different kinds of painting, such
we raffled off to make money for a nurse scholarship fund. Each doll made was
as pastel boards for pastel paintings. The art market is constantly developing new supplies and technology
unique, using different colors of slip, different hair color, and one-of-a-kind
to make the artist’s work easier.” She also has special art areas set up in her house so she can work at night.
costumes. My favorite doll mold was ‘Sugar Britches’ by Boots Tyner. This doll
“It’s convenient to have small work stations so I can stop and work for a few minutes without having to dedicate
looked like a real baby when complete.” Rachell made dolls for about twenty
a large amount of time rounding up supplies and getting set up. I can work for fifteen to twenty minutes and
years until she was no longer able to lift the heavy jugs of slip. She donated the
then move on to other tasks.” CONTINUED...
doll kiln to a local school art department.
112
APRIL 2016
SHEMAGAZINE.COM