Artist Rachel Roe Finds Inspiration in Her She Shed

Rachel Roe is a fine artist in St. Louis with a cool custom she shed as her studio. Ever since she was featured in She Sheds Style, Rachel has been very busy. Balancing a growing art business with motherhood, she doesn’t have much down time. Having the small studio in place has made all the difference in achieving that balance.

The Roes have welcomed two active little boys into their life and Rachel took on the creation of an ambitious collection of sailboats and sea paintings–her first-ever collection, in fact. These fresh contemporary pieces share virtual gallery space with Rachel’s floral, graphic and print work on her website and on Etsy.

Rachel’s shed is unique for many reasons. First, it began as a set of plans for a no-frills 8 x 10-foot toolshed to be used by her husband, Ryan. But when Rachel left a job in the corporate world to become an independent artist, the couple decided a dedicated space for her to work was more important.

Another reason this shed is so compelling is the amount of custom touches Rachel and Ryan put into it. The stoop and porch shelter, a covered sitting area on the side, a cozy loft and large windows that open are just a few. In the back, Ryan created a projecting storage closet that offers room for tools and supplies without taking away any of Rachel’s precious painting space.

The floors are made with barn siding that’s about 100 years old.

What’s Rachel Up To?

We caught up with Rachel recently and asked her some personal questions.

SSL: What have you been up to since 2018 when we featured you in She Sheds Style? Any milestone or accomplishment you want to share?

RR: Well, I’ve had two little boys and have continued to grow my art business. So now, as you can imagine, having that dedicated studio space is really special to me. Also, having the time to paint feels like such a treat. So when I released my first collection this year, it felt like a huge accomplishment. It’s something I’ve been wanting to do for years. The collection is a series of sailboat paintings, inspired by my love of the water.

One achievement I’m particularly proud of is getting my artwork into West Elm. It’s pretty surreal seeing my art on their website.

SSL: Congratulations! Sounds like having the she shed has been beneficial to you both as an artist and a mom.

RR: Beneficial, yes. Crucial, yes, I may even go that far. It’s almost like my brain makes the shift, as I’m walking out to my back yard, that now is the time to shift from being a mom/wife to an artist/business owner. If it were in my house, I would be closer to distractions and my brain would probably wander, thinking about the laundry I need to catch up on, etc. Giving myself that distance really helps me focus on the reason why I came out to my studio: to paint. Just, paint.

I used to only go out to my studio when I felt inspired. Now, it’s a place I go to get inspired.

SSL: Can you describe one particularly blissful afternoon you spent at the studio recently?

RR: Actually, the majority of my time spent in there is at night, once the kids go to bed. Almost every night, I have to force myself to walk out there when all I really want to do is crash on the couch. But there’s something about having that space and having that alone time that really helps me decompress and often times, feel rejuvenated. I used to only go out to my studio when I felt inspired. Now, it’s a place I go to get inspired.

 

SSL: What “best thing” would you tell other women about your space? (To be honest one of our favorite things about your shed is the hidden closet. Genius.)

RR: I think the best thing about my space is the freedom it gives me. Freedom to splatter paint and create without restrictions. Freedom to have alone time, without any distractions. It has served many different roles during the different seasons of my life and it’s been fun to watch it evolve and have such a big role in my life and career.