Rachel Hunter is a Madison artist who values creating community; both within and without. 

Within her mind exists a tapestry of uncanny and dreamlike characters that she employs to help transform blank canvases or slabs of old wood into surreal worlds. That's probably why Hunter is an exhibiting artist as part of Carnelian Art Gallery's Surrealism show that lasts until the end of December. 

Mark your calendars: Carnelian Art Gallery has scheduled a holiday reception for Surrealism that's set for 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 19, at 221 King St., Suite 102. 

Without, Hunter seeks to work connect with like-minded artists in her studio inside Roundhouse Studios on Commercial Avenue in Madison, as well as across the city.

I visited Hunter's studio earlier this week to discuss her comeuppance as an artist, her process for creating her characters, and to gain her thoughts on the Surrealism show. 

"It looks a lot different for every piece," Hunter said, gesturing to an artwork she was working on that depicts a red humanoid figure. "This one here ... I Gessoed it really quickly. I think its some kind of an MDF. I'm not sure. I think it's some kind of scrap wood. I wanted to Gesso it to make sure it lasts."

Her main mediums used are oils, acrylics, flashe paints, and spray paints.

"Then I put spray paint over it. I really like how oil paint glides on top of spray paint. But also it's quick and dries fast so I can get started sooner. In terms of putting shadows or highlights first, it really depends on what's on my palette. Right now, it's sort of a mess, but I have this nice blue color and I thought it would look good with the red. That's how this one started."

When visiting the gallery, you should take a gander at a few personal favorites from Hunter's collection. I really like "War Face," as well as "Pulling Together." I say this because both pieces closely resemble the aesthetic of Hunter's piece in the above video, just at a larger scale.

Hunter said that War Face is an artwork that prompts the onlooker to question what turbulent conflict means to them. How can we maintain control during war? How do we help one another or prepare?

Pulling Together comprises four humanoid characters that appear to stretch and wind around one another against an orange background. The piece, to me, is a commentary on how truly interconnected everyone and everything is.  

Hunter said she draws inspiration from various local surreal artists whose works at one point could be found at the Chazen Museum of Art. Her mother is also a big reason for why she paints. 

Growing up in Minnesota, Hunter said that her mother worked in the real estate industry in lieu of being an artist herself. She therefore motivated Hunter to follow her dreams.

But having seen her mother financially struggle despite her real estate experience, Hunter embarked on a journey to study marketing at the Uniersity of Wisconsin-Madison. Except, after taking a few art classes, it became clear to Hunter that being a painter was her calling. Now, her ultimate ambition is to become a full-time artist. 

Of being part of Carnelian's show, Hunter mused about the talent of the four other artists participating. She thanked owner Evan Bradbury for his generosity in letting her borrow some supplies to make her collection the most beautiful it can be, and said she was grateful that artists now have a space to showcase their talents in the heart of downtown, Madison.