Originally from a small town in the Sierra Nevada foothills of northern California, Rachel Micander moved to the high desert to pursue a degree in Geology from the University of Nevada, Reno. During her time as un undergrad, she began exploring the far reaches of the Great Basin, falling in love with the landscape, flora, and fauna. She began her professional geologic career working towards identifying and mitigating abandoned mine hazards and educating the public about geology, rocks, and minerals.
Rachel is an accomplished artist and photographer. She has been painting for as long as she can remember and capturing photos of the landscape when she can’t paint en plein air. Originally taught by her mother, she never took any painting classes. Painting with watercolors fell by the wayside during high school and college, but she continued to draw, sketch, and paint with acrylics and began experimenting with gouache. After spending several summers in the field as a geologist, sketching outcrops and geologic formations, she started to dabble in watercolor again.
The arid deserts and playas, rugged mountains featuring wildflowers and sub-alpine forests, diverse wildlife, and expansive skies, all provide a sense of wonder and wildness that inspire her paintings. The Great Basin is so much more than initially meets the eye, where most see dull shades of brown and tan, Rachel sees a rainbow of colors. From the reds, oranges, purples, and greens of the different rocks to the seemingly endless shades of green, blues, pinks, and yellows that make up the sky and the land, the Great Basin in full of color.
Rachel’s goal as an artist and geologist is to share her love, appreciation, and knowledge of the Great Basin. It is her hope that her passions inspire others to see the beauty and wonder in this often-overlooked part of the world, and to foster a deeper understanding and respect for the magic of the natural world around us.