By Anna Rachal
Before the first brushstroke is ever painted, I pray. I ask God to guide my mind and hand, creating through me what He intends. I pray for wisdom, perseverance, and joy throughout the process, and for the person who will one day receive the piece—that it will bring peace, treasured memories, and reflect the beauty of His creation.
Whether through my career as an artist or an art teacher, my greatest desire is to honor God with the gifts He has entrusted to me and to point others to Christ through both my life and my artwork. People often ask where my talent comes from, or how I learned to draw and paint. The answer has always been simple: countless hours of practice, but most of all, God’s faithfulness. My favorite scripture that has carried me throughout my life is Proverbs 3:5-6:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
Whether facing uncertainty, standing before a blank canvas, or making life’s biggest decisions, those words remind me to trust the One holding the brush of my life. Creating has never been just a career—it has always been an act of worship.
My dad always told me I was born to be an artist. Both of his parents were artists, and he believes I inherited the same gift. My parents love to tell me the story that I am an artist because I was born during the great eclipse of 1991 in Fort Worth, Texas. The sky went completely dark, and right after I was born in darkness, the light returned. Today, I see it as a beautiful reminder that Jesus, the Light of the World, has been writing my story all along.
From the time I could hold a pencil, I was drawing. Horses quickly became my favorite subject, and I spent countless hours sketching them until they became second nature. I won my first art contest in fifth grade with a drawing of a rearing horse against the sun, draped in an American flag.
When we moved from Fort Worth back to my family’s roots in Louisiana right before seventh grade, I struggled with the transition. I was an angry preteen who rebelled against anything and everything. That changed when I met my high school art teacher, Cheryl Gianforte. She saw a gift in me that I had forgotten and gently reminded me that God hadn’t. My senior year, I won Best in Show at the state art convention, and the judge bought my painting for $600. Driving home, I remember looking up to the sky and praying, “Okay Lord, maybe this is what You want me to do with my life.” Alongside my other art teacher, Mary Cedars, Mrs. Gianforte rekindled my love for art and inspired me to become an art teacher myself. It was through Mrs. Gianforte’s encouragement and my mother’s faithful prayers that I was led to the artist, career, and life I have today.
I grew to love Louisiana, and I chose to stay in Natchitoches Parish. I went on to earn my Bachelor of Fine Arts from Northwestern State University, followed by my Master of Arts in Teaching. Today, I have the privilege of teaching kindergarten through fifth grade art at NSU Elementary Lab School while also pursuing my own career as a professional artist. Whether painting commissioned work, creating live wedding paintings, or teaching a child how to draw their very first puppy, I never take for granted that I get to do what I love every day. I also have the blessing of sharing life with my high school sweetheart, Wayne, and together we’re raising our three wonderful sons.
Over the years, my style has naturally grown into a blend of realism with, at times, a touch of impressionism. I find inspiration in Louisiana’s wildlife, landscapes, portraiture, and anything that captures a sense of beauty. No matter the subject, I realized that I am always searching for the light. To me, one of the most important elements of a successful painting is the relationship between light and shadow. They work together to bring a piece to life, adding depth, emotion, and a sense of awe. Perhaps that’s why I am so drawn to light. It reminds me of Christ, the Light of the World, and the hope He brings to every season of life.
The pursuit of light is woven into almost every painting I create, but nowhere was it more meaningful than in designing the 100th Natchitoches Christmas Festival poster. I spent hours praying over it, sketching, contemplating its meaning, researching, and developing the idea, which started nearly three years ago. After painting the 2012 and 2016 posters, I was asked when, or if, I would enter again, and the Holy Spirit whispered in my ear, “The 100th is the one.” I had so many ideas about what the festival truly represents, the embodiment of Natchitoches, and the highlight of the year for our city.
This painting brings together the moments, people, and traditions that have made the Natchitoches Christmas Festival a treasured part of our community for the past 100 years. Each scene tells its own story, but together they reflect the glowing memories, relationships, and shared experiences that make this celebration feel like home.
In the upper left corner, Lydia Rachal and her family are in awe of the festival canopy lights while taking a ride in the famous horse-drawn carriage. This family is surrounded by the love and support of our community as they courageously face Sanfilippo syndrome with their daughter, Lydia. Their inclusion is a reminder that the festival has always been about more than lights and celebration; it’s about standing beside one another through every season of life.
Nearby, the American flag shines brightly in honor of our nation’s heroes, active military members, veterans, officers, teachers, healthcare workers, and America’s 250th birthday. It stands above the Cane River as a symbol of unity, patriotism, and enduring pride that continues to shine even when the other lights are taken down.
Gliding beneath the lights on the upper right is the Cane River Queen, celebrating the beauty and history of life along the river. The nativity scene is there also and is my favorite light on the river. It serves as a reminder of the true meaning of Christmas—our Savior, Jesus Christ. Above the nativity is the large star, the very first light to illuminate the river 100 years ago.
Miss Merry Christmas and her Christmas Belles represent one of the festival’s most cherished traditions. For generations, they have embodied grace, joy, and community pride, becoming beloved symbols of the season for both visitors and those who call Natchitoches home.
The parade scene captures the excitement that signals the beginning of the festivities. Led by local law enforcement and followed by the sounds of marching bands, including the beloved Northwestern State University Band, this scene celebrates the people, music, energy, and anticipation that fill the streets each year.
The meat pie booth honors both Lasyone’s Meat Pie Restaurant and the late Alton Rachal, my grandfather-in-law, who served as a respected city marshal for many years. He and Mrs. Linda had a booth along the river each year selling homemade meat pies, funnel cakes, and countless other festival favorites, bringing joy to all. The blooming magnolia in that scene represents Southern hospitality, family roots, and timeless traditions passed from one generation to the next.
Also featured is Mr. Katrice LaCour, a musician and orchestra teacher at the NSU Lab Schools. He is performing in front of the beloved Mama’s and Papa’s Restaurant on Front Street, where he entertains locals and visitors on many Saturday nights. Both he and Mama’s and Papa’s have become woven into the fabric of festival memories. His presence honors the lasting impact one person can have on a community through music, mentorship, and service.
Flowing through the center of the painting is the Cane River and the view of Front Street from across the water, the heart of Natchitoches itself. If you look closely at the dock on the right, you’ll find my own family fishing together, capturing one of our favorite ways to spend time together. You’ll also see the infamous geese swimming on the left side. The scene and its reflection on the still waters reflect the quiet moments that become lifelong memories and remind us that home is found not only in places, but in the people we share them with.
In the center of the composition, you see the grand golden “100” with bursts of light commemorating the centennial of the Natchitoches Christmas Festival. Fireworks burst overhead as people gather in boats and along the riverbank, just as they have for generations. Among them is Santa, sharing in the wonder of the celebration, as well as Jack Crowell, who unknowingly spent the last moments of his life watching the fireworks with his son. It is moments like these—filled with laughter, togetherness, and even quiet remembrance—that draw people back to the festival year after year, weaving new memories into a tradition that has endured for a century.
Together, each scene forms a tapestry of the Natchitoches Christmas Festival, woven with faith, family, music, history, service, remembrance, and joy. More than a celebration of lights and fireworks, this painting honors the people whose lives have shaped this remarkable tradition and the memories that continue to make Natchitoches home. It has been an incredible honor to preserve these stories on canvas. My prayer is that every person who views this painting finds a memory that feels like their own and is reminded that the true spirit of the Natchitoches Christmas Festival has always been found in its people—and in the Light that has guided them through every generation.
As I look back over my own journey, I can see God’s hand in every season. There were times when I understood His plan and times when I didn’t. Yet He remained faithful, gently leading me one brushstroke at a time. I realize now that I’m always chasing the light, and over the years I’ve seen that it’s true in more ways than one. As an artist, I search for the light that brings a painting to life. As a Christian, I follow the One who is the Light of the World. Proverbs 3:5-6 has become the foundation of both my faith and my art, reminding me that the greatest masterpiece is created when I trust the Master Artist far more than myself. Perhaps I’ve never really been chasing the light at all—I’ve simply been guided by the Light that has been leading me home.