Bernadine Rais is a 28 year old local artist, specializing in painting and drawing. Her first ever solo exhibition, Souvenirs, features 27 pieces focusing on areas in and around Toledo at dusk. Rais considers herself a traditional oil painter with an academic style. Taking inspiration from artists such as Edward Hopper and John Singer Sargent, her pieces reflect the beauty of stillness and the quiet contemplation that comes with nighttime.
Nocturnal Nightscapes
Rais began her artistic journey with drawing, specifically anatomical drawings. This led her to painting. She began seriously painting when she was 21 years old, originally focusing on life subjects and portraits in her paintings. Her focal point shifted in 2020 to nocturnal night- scapes. At a time where the world needed a moment of stillness, Rais found it in
the quiet moments of suburban Toledo streets. “When I look for inspiration, it’s during the moments when I’m walking or driving and it’s peaceful and quiet and I hope that calm reflects in the work.”
These quiet moments, whether at a stoplight on a long drive or walking through a garden at twilight, hold a depth of emotion for Rais that she conveys in her art. Although some artists like to portray their art as something with a strong message or grandiose meaning, Rais paints these moments because they are calming and tranquil. “Painting is like a lifeline for me, when I paint it’s not some sort of violent expression, it’s deeply therapeutic.”
Soul Satisfying
The satisfaction Rais derives from her work comes from the introspective mood and color palette she has come to call her own. Taking great inspiration from the likes of Edward Hopper, she aspires to create pieces that are easy to relate to, that convey loneliness but also act as a reminder that you are never alone. “I love scoping out paintings at museums
all over the country for reference, to see how they lay down the paint, what kinds of color they mix.” Those explorations allowed her to kickstart her path and find her own style.
Throughout Bernadine Rais’s journey as an artist, it has become more important than ever to stay true to what makes her happy and satisfies her creativity. “I don’t think too hard about what other think or what I’m trying to achieve, I just do it.” Finding a balance between doing what you love simply because you love it and pleasing those around you is a fine line that Rais often walks. She hopes that the patrons who visit her exhibition or buy her prints, from the many art fairs she partakes in, appreciate the style and the care put into every piece.
Pinch Me Moment
Having a solo exhibition at the Toledo Museum of Art is truly a dream come true for Rais. “It’s allowed me a moment to take a step back and have a different perspective on my work.” What’s often on the mind of any artist is what they’ll do next and what’s coming up on the horizon. But for Rais, not much can beat an exhibit at TMA. The one aspect she looks forward to the most with this exhibition is the ability to network with other artists and gain exposure. “I’d love to make connections and work on expanding my portfolio. I’m grateful for any opportunities that lie ahead.”
Bernadine Rais: Souvenirs is on display at the Robert C. and Susan Savage Community Gallery at the Toledo Museum of Art until January 26, 2025
