Meet Rachel Wiley-Janota, artist, mother, wife, sister, and proud member of Galveston College’s Class of 2011, where she earned an Associate of Arts degree. Today, she lives and works as a mixed-media artist in Galveston, a place that continues to inspire her creativity and lifestyle.

Originally set on a path to study marine science, Wiley-Janota found herself increasingly drawn to the energy and camaraderie of fellow artists during her time at St. Thomas University and the Glassell School of Art in Houston. That pull eventually led her to Galveston College, and to a lifelong immersion in art.

Art is a family tradition for Wiley-Janota. Her mother, well-known local artist Rene Wiley, and her grandmother, an accomplished artist and avid traveler, laid the foundation early. As a child, Rachel explored the U.S. Southwest. As a young adult, she studied abroad in the Czech Republic. These experiences left an indelible mark on her artistic journey.

Today, she finds creative fuel in Galveston’s many layers: its alleys, historic buildings, The Strand, beaches, and wetlands,. Her family splits time between Galveston and Hitchcock. She manages the Rene Wiley Gallery two days a week, a role that helps her stay connected to the community while also balancing life as a full-time artist and full-time mom.

“Having a home studio can be lonely,” said Wiley-Janota. “Working at the gallery gives me a way to meet art lovers, stay involved in the art scene, and see friends who run other galleries and small businesses on Post Office Street.”

Wiley-Janota’s passion for art is matched only by her love of animals. Her household always includes two or three dogs—rescues from local shelters. She fosters when she can.

Exploration and Evolution

With both a scientific and creative mindset, Wiley-Janota constantly experiments with new techniques and materials. Though trained in oils, she gravitated toward mixed media, incorporating acrylics, vintage photographs, and layered textures with paint into her work.

She has also explored encaustic painting, using beeswax, varnish, and heat to build up surfaces. Currently, she’s returned to traditional oils but often adds subtle variations with gold leaf. Photography, especially film and Polaroid, remains an integral part of her creative process and is frequently woven into her mixed-media art pieces.

A New Chapter: Homeschooling and Family Life

Wiley-Janota and her husband, who manages half of Texas’s state parks as a project manager for Texas Parks and Wildlife, are now homeschooling their two young sons, ages nine and five. She says she enjoys the change and this new chapter in her family life.

She admits that this path requires independence and self-motivation, qualities she hopes to instill in her children.

“I want them to have an enthusiasm and love of learning,” said Wiley-Janota. “And I want them to find things that they love, and learn how to pursue those passions in their lives.”

She believes it is okay to take unconventional paths to get to the type of life that you want, because being happy and at peace in your daily life with your time and schedule is important.

“I like to travel, and I photograph and paint the landscapes that inspire me,” she added. “I’m so happy not to be tied to an 8-to-5 schedule and school, and that we get to spend as much time outside in nature as possible. Galveston and its resources make it a wonderful place to be an artist and to grow up, as we continue to enjoy and learn about the natural world here together.”

You can find more of Rachel Wiley-Janota’s work at Salt + Sky Studio at www.rachelwiley.com.

To join the Galveston College Alumni Assocation, visit https://gc.edu/about-gc/administration/foundation-development/alumni-association.php

ABOUT GALVESTON COLLEGE

Galveston College was founded in 1967 and is a comprehensive community college providing the residents of Galveston Island and the surrounding region with academic, workforce development, continuing education and community service programs.