Rachel Rae Art Gallery
The Fox and the Aurora Borealis: Growing up in the Northwoods of Minnesota, I’ve always felt a deep connection to the wildness and the powerful animal spirits that share our space. But my Finnish heritage pulls that connection even further North, toward the silent, starry night of the Arctic.
This painting, “Revontulet,” is my tribute to the most magical story told in Finland—the origin of the Northern Lights.
The word Revontulet literally translates to ‘Fox Fires.’ It tells of the mythical tulikettu, the fire fox, whose tail sweeps across the snow-covered fells of Lapland. As his fur brushes the mountains, the friction sends showers of sparkling light high into the heavens, igniting the sky in vibrant streaks of green and violet.
This piece captures that very moment: the fox, grounded in the quiet snow, yet the celestial energy of the Aurora is already swirling around him, a direct result of his silent, mystical work. It’s a reminder that even the most fleeting creatures hold the power to create the greatest wonders of the world.
For me, this painting represents the hidden magic of the North, linking my roots in Minnesota’s wilderness to the ancient, beautiful stories of my Finnish ancestors. It’s a piece of the Arctic night, brought to life through myth and memory.
The quiet towns of Minnesota are not the edge of the wild, but the heart of it. Here, the creatures that grace our neighborhoods—the Fox, the Moose, the Crow—are the living gems of our peace. They are constant, wise reminders that harmony exists, gifted by the deep love and respect we hold for nature.
With every stroke, I seek to capture the ancient story held within each living thing. The animals are the silent stars upon our stage, and my canvas is the space where their own narratives can finally breathe. I paint to feel the pulse of their lives, transcribing their untold lore directly onto the wood and linen.
THe Cunning and the Knowing: Growing up with a mix of Minnesota wilderness and my family’s Finnish legacy, I’ve always been drawn to the outsiders of the forest—the creatures who survive on wit rather than brute strength. This painting is for all of us who feel like we don’t quite fit in.
The Fox is the ultimate liminal creature: not a dog, and certainly not a wolf. His genius is his ambiguity, a true master of the trick, the quick thought that triumphs over muscle. The ancient stories of Finland celebrate him for outsmarting the heavy-handed Wolf and Bear.
The Crow, in its deep, knowing black, doesn’t mock; it laughs in recognition. As a creature of immense intelligence and ancient lore, the Crow shares that sense of being both respected and set apart. It is a laugh of shared understanding: I see your cleverness, and I am with you.
This is not a painting about being tricked; it is a moment where two highly intelligent, self-possessed spirits meet in the forest and realize they speak the same language. They are friends in cunning, allies in wisdom, and rulers of the shadows.
The Council of Two
There is no place more magical than the deep undergrowth of the forest, and this piece is where my love for the chaotic beauty of the Northwoods truly comes to life. It is an immersive world of ferns, vibrant wildflowers, and hidden mushrooms, all bustling with a secret, powerful energy.
At the heart of this wild garden are the two Crows. Crows and Ravens are figures of immense intelligence in every culture, including the shamanic traditions of my Finnish heritage. They are not just birds; they are The Council, the quiet observers who hold the secrets of the woods.
They perch together, sharing a silent council on the cap of an enormous mushroom—a nod to the unseen, interconnected network of nature. They survey the bounty of the bloom and the mysterious fungal life, reminding us that wisdom is found not in the loud, open world, but in the dense, silent knowledge of the earth.
The Northwoods Spirit
The Moose. There is no animal that better embodies the sheer scale and quiet dominance of the Minnesota Northwoods. This creature is a true monarch of the deep forests and wetland bogs I’ve called home.
This painting is my attempt to capture the moment of encountering this massive, solitary animal. It’s not just a depiction of a moose; it’s a representation of the energy it radiates—a feeling that is both ancient and intensely alive.
My expressive brushwork focuses on creating a dynamic aura around the animal, using strong, bold strokes to convey its solid, undeniable mass and the vibrant, reflective light of the northern landscape. The overall effect gives the moose an aura of almost mythical power.
When I look at this piece, I feel the chill of the early morning air and the immense, humbling presence of the wilderness. It is a tribute to the resilient spirit and quiet majesty that define the most iconic animal of my home state.
The Raven King
In many northern cultures, the Crow (or Raven) is more than just a bird; it is a creature of high status—a messenger between worlds, a keeper of ancient secrets, and sometimes, a king. This piece, “The Raven King,” is my declaration of the crow’s undeniable sovereignty. His gaze is steady, ancient, and knowing. He wears the crown not as a symbol of earthly power, but as a representation of his inherent wisdom and spiritual dominion over the shadowed corners of the forest and the open skies.
This is a celebration of intelligence, self-possession, and the quiet, commanding power held by those who look deeply and know much. He is the quiet royalty of the Northwoods.
ARTist
Rachel RAE
The quiet towns of Minnesota are not the edge of the wild, but the heart of it. Here, the creatures that grace our neighborhoods—the Fox, the Moose, the Crow—are the living gems of our peace. They are constant, wise reminders that harmony exists, gifted by the deep love and respect we hold for nature.
With every stroke, I seek to capture the ancient story held within each living thing. The animals are the silent stars upon our stage, and my canvas is the space where their own narratives can finally breathe. I paint to feel the pulse of their lives, transcribing their untold lore directly onto the wood and linen.
biography
“Rachel Rae’s paintings are far more than just art; they are windows into the soul of the North. I feel the pulse of the Minnesota wilderness and the ancient whisper of Finnish myth breathing on the canvas.
I am particularly captivated by the deep stories and the profound wisdom that the animals embody. Whether it’s the magical alliance of the Fox and Crow or the solitary majesty of the Moose, Rachel captures the essential spiritual connection hidden within nature.
To hang one of her pieces is to invite a sense of peace and wonder into your life. I highly recommend these beautiful ‘Tales of the North.“
–D.C. Chung
“Two Souls of the North”
I came from silence, born of snow, a heart that beats where the wise winds blow. I am the Fire Fox, not Dog, not Wolf, my genius is the cunning of the hidden gulf.
I walk alone, but the high Crow sees, who knows the weight of northern mysteries. He gave no scorn, he gave no empty praise, but spoke the truth in short, knowing phrase:
“If you are the flame,” the dark voice cried, “then let your brilliance have no place to hide.”
And so I run, the length of my desire, sweeping the snows to birth the cosmic fire. My tail strikes light, the Revontulet streams, an answer born of shared outsider dreams.
The lights ascend, a pact of silent worth: The mind’s true glory must illuminate the earth. The Crow above, the Fox below, in wisdom’s light, the twin souls glow.