Rachelle Burkett is a talented artist, who is dedicated to using her talent to help others. She is involved in numerous fundraising promotions for worthy organizations. She also is spearheading a movement in the art world, using her own track record of fundraising promotions, to convince other artist and art organizations to focus their efforts to help others.

An international award winning artist who's been recognized among the "2000 Outstanding Women of the 20th Century", Cambridge, England

The winner of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, American Heritage Competition & Constitution Week Competition, International/National Best in Show, 1st Place watercolor for multiple years.

The National and International Olympic Committees (for the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta) "Sports in Action" series

Who's Who Among American Women, 21st Edition, 1999/2000, 22nd Edition 2000/2001 , Southern Adventist University- A.J. Daniel's Building, mural, Cleveland/Bradley County Chamber of Commerce - commission membership plaques 2000 Regional History Museum - Quilt commemorative painting, 1999 Crohn's & Colitis Association of America, "Sports in Action" Fundraising Promotion, 1997-99, St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic Church, Artist's Conception- new facility, 1999 Awarded Series of 3 Originals - 1989, Who's Who in America, South - southwest Region, 22 Edition, 1989-90. Artist of Tennessee, Cover -1990

National League American Pen Women, Best of Show, 1st place watercolor, 1st place Drawing, Georgia Show, 1st Place watercolor, Award of Excellence, 1st Place Graphics

" Rays of Faith" presented to Pope John Paul, The Vatican, Rome, Italy by Bishop Joseph Kurtz - May 18, 2000

Tennessee Watercolor Society - Artist Plaque, Southeastern Wildlife Art Competition, Tennessee Artist Association, Artist Choice Award, 1st Place Watercolor, 1st Place Graphics, Best in Show, Georgia Duck Stamp, Daughters of the American Revolution, Cover - DAR - American Heritage Book Cover, DAR magazine cover, TSDAR Quilt commemorative and numerous other awards

Profile by Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America

If anyone knows that life can take unexpected twists and turns, it's Rachelle Burkett. The talented artist, who is donating proceeds from her award-winning "Sports in Action" print series to CCFA, has experienced a dizzying array of ups and downs since 1990. "What kept me going through the worst times," the Cleveland, TN resident says, "was my belief that my art is a special gift that was given to me for a purpose."

A Terrible Fall
Burkett's "worst times" were often traumatic. After winning numerous awards throughout the 1980s, the artist set her sights on creating "Sports in Action." But in December of 1990, she suffered a terrible fall. "I slipped a disc in my neck, tore my shoulder, and suffered extensive nerve damage to my hand," she recalls. "I was in pretty awful shape."

For the first in her life, Burkett was stripped of her greatest talent. "It's a very humbling thing to have so much of your self worth taken away from you out of the blue," she says. "I couldn't even hold a pen, let alone paint. I spent a lot of time in a wheelchair. It was very frightening. But I was convinced that God did not want my art taken away from me, so I never lost hope."

The Long Road Back
For three years, Burkett endured intense physical therapy and received 15 spinal injections of steroids. It was an extremely painful regimen, and at times it seemed like I wasn't making any progress."

But gradually, Burkett regained her strength and mobility. Physically able to paint again, she wasted little time creating the 12 watercolors that comprise "Sports in Action." "I spent countless hours studying athletes and their events during my recovery period," she says. "I wanted these paintings to be as realistic as possible."

Before she completed the series, however, Burkett's father died. "That was a big setback for me because he was such a huge influence on my life," she says. "More than anyone else, he reminded me that when you're blessed with a talent, you should use it to make a difference in people's lives."

When Burkett finally completed the watercolors, critical acclaim followed. "Sports in Action" took "Best of Show" honors in the 1996 National League of American Penwomen show. The paintings also were approved by National and International Olympic Committees
But Burkett barely had time to savor this achievement before she received more bad news: both her brother and sister were diagnosed as having Crohn's disease. "We're a very close family, and I was tremendously upset," she says. "Then, when I did some research and learned how painful and debilitating IBD can be, I knew I had to do something."

Sharing her Gift
The decision was easy. "All of sudden, the honors 'Sports in Action' had received or the fame of the Olympics didn't seem all that important," says Burkett, whose biography appears in Who's Who of American Women and The 2000 Outstanding Women of the 20th Century. "I thought about my dad's words, and I vowed that I would use my paintings to help others. That's when I called CCFA." This was not Burkett's first experience working with a charitable causes, however her goals were more defined and totally in focus.

Despite her many ups and downs, Burkett looks to the future with a great sense of hope. Unable to have children she sees, her artwork, and her charitable work, as her legacy. "There's a reason that I was blessed with this talent, and I feel a strong responsibility to use it to help others," she says. "Knowing that my art may help my brother and sister, and so many other people, means so much more to me than any award."

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Local Art Lover Makes Her Own History - Bryan Chambers - Bradley News Weekly 4/19/00

She's done it again! Loose the dove, and sound the trumpets! In an unprecedented, stunning victory, Rachelle Burkett has once more brought home the gold ribbon, the grand prize, the brass key, the banana cre¢me pie! You guessed it! That's right, folks, she's brought home her forth national award in three years! Burkett, a multitalented mega - star in the Cleveland art scene, just can't stay out of the national spotlight. She recently won "Best in Show" and 1st Place in Watercolor in the American Heritage International competition, sponsored by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. Last year, Burkett won two 1st Place awards, and won 2nd place in 1998 in national shows. The captivating theme for this year's American Heritage competition was "Women's Unity of Spirit, Unity of Purpose for Home and Family." And, boy did Burkett nail it! Her winning painting, "Daydreams, Memories and Ancestors," centers on the figures of a mother and her newborn daughter, surrounded by scenes depicting women taking an active role in American home life by cooking, cleaning, sewing and churning butter. The Tennessee State convention of the DAR, held on March 10th - 12th, recently honored Burkett, and the Continental Congress in Washington, DC, will honor her on April 15th - 21st. She will also attend the American Heritage Round Table, and receive her award on Wednesday, April 19th. As if that isn't enough, this plucky gal will represent the Moccasin Bend Chapter of the DAR at their 4 - day state convention, and their week-long national convention! If everyone were as talented and insightful as Rachelle Burkett was, the world would be a better place.