to Become an Artist

She Sold Her Auto Body Shop to Become an Artist

In the world of collision repair, there are a ton of multi-talented people doing other things when they’re not repairing vehicles.

I would bet the average customer does not realize the tech, painter or estimator working on their car is a musician, artist, actor, writer, movie director—even the owner of a champion Frisbee dog! I have enjoyed interviewing these mega-talented individuals since I started this column in 2008 when I wrote a story about Chris Mashburn, a body tech, and his beloved Frisbee dog, Mindy.

This story is about Bianca Rauser, who stepped away from the world of collision repair and sold her shop to enjoy life and pursue her art. A major tragedy in her life caused Rauser to fast track her journey, and part of that includes creating art that has quickly become a significant part of her retirement plan. Q: How did you get into the collision repair industry? A: I was working for an insurance company, and had to interact with body shops a lot. I was getting tired of the Evil Empire when a shop owner offered me a job. I took it, and I absolutely loved my position. He taught me how to be an estimator and I loved everything about it. Q: What were the most satisfying and challenging parts of your role in the industry? A: There are people out there who aren’t crazy about women working in this industry. It has gotten better, but it still exists. When I could make customers happy after going through the stressful situation of an accident—I loved that part. It has also been rewarding getting to know and interact with some of the most knowledgeable people in the industry. Q: What are the biggest obstacles for the industry moving forward? A: Lack of education! As cars are ever-changing with legions of new technology, it is imperative to constantly train to keep up with correct procedures. I hated the fact that I had to fight with the insurance companies so that we could make safe, OE repairs. I could see that quality wasn’t always a priority and it began to become an issue. When people’s safety is involved, quality is not negotiable, in my opinion. Q: How did you get into creating art? Please describe your process. A: Art became an outlet for my anger and sorrow after my brother was murdered in a random act of violence. I was talking to him on the phone one day, and he told me that he was going to the store to buy bird seed. Somebody walked up to my brother and punched him and he fell and fractured his skull. He went into a coma, and three and a half weeks later, he was gone. The murderer got 18 years—seven years suspended—but he has been messing up in prison, so it looks like he will be in there for a long time. My brother was a retired doctor and I think about him every single day. I mainly create abstracts in acrylic, and will paint on any surface I find interesting. I choose colors based on my mood that day. Rarely using brushes, I opt for non-traditional methods of application such as bubble wrap, cookie cutters, funnels, plastic grocery bags, water bottles, blow torches, marbles,

The Legal View etc. I even used a cat toy the other day to create an interesting texture. with Gary Wickert Q: Where do you create the art? A: My studio is in a climatecontrolled three-car garage Product and Process that has exactly enough room for zero cars due to all of my artwork with Stacey Phillips and supplies. Q: How long does it take to create a piece? Industry Training A: From start to finish, approximately three weeks. I have with Stacey Phillips several art projects going on simultaneously all the time. I am always Bianca Rauser sold her shop to step away from the crazy life of collision repair and pursue her passion for making looking for new and exciting things to create, and that’s why I am doing Shop Secrets and Strategies art things like tables, coaster sets, and people seem to like my clocks as with Stacey Phillips well.

Shop Services with Stacey Phillips National Events

Bianca Rauser is selling her pieces both through major galleries in Arkansas and nationally

with Stacey Phillips

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