A Conversation Beyond Words

Rachel Justice paints stories across the area and around the state.

Area residents may not know the name Rachel Justice, but they’ve likely seen her work.

The big field of children playing with dogs on the outside of the Ashland County Dog Shelter. The patriotic mural on the north wall of the American Legion Harry Higgins Post 88 in Ashland. The windows promoting the Ashland Public Library’s summer reading program each year.

All of these, in addition to many signs and logos on trucks for local businesses, were painted by Justice. As a freelance artist, she doesn’t have a business with a name, but people recognize her and her work.

“Some people call me, ‘Hey, painter girl!’” she said, with a laugh.

She has painted murals, signs, windows and other materials for various clients around the state for about 15 years. She also can do faux finishes, such as wood on a metal cabinet. Whether her assignment is a small sign for a business or a sprawling mural in a library, her goal is always the same — to help her clients express their identity.

“A lot of people were telling me, if you’re going to make it, you have to express yourself,” she said, but she came to a different conclusion. “You’re happier if you help other people and help them express themselves.” …

(The above is excerpted from this page)  –  read the whole article on the Times-Gazette, here.