Emilie Touraine Art Program

Emilie 'Rainbow' Touraine (1939-2019) was an incredible artist and equestrian who loved animals, children, and nature.  Her passions were captured in her paintings - typically horses, bison, indigenous peoples and stunning western landscapes.

Touraine was born on September 1, 1939, in New York, New York and predominantly raised in different regions of California. Her artistic career began in 1960 when her family moved to Scottsdale, Arizona where she would reside the next twenty years. During her time in Northern Arizona, she lived for periods of time with Hopi families. Her time spent amongst the Native American way of life and culture is reflected in many of her pieces and her reverence for their customs and traditions. Later in 1980, she moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico. Due to health reasons, Touraine traded her oil paints for acrylics.

Touraine won best in show and the directors’ award at the Pacific Northwest Indian Center Show and Auction in 1973. Her artworks went on to be in several exhibitions and private collections. Some of her pieces have also been reproduced into greeting cards.

Emilie Touraine spent her late years in Corrales, New Mexico, passing away in 2019. Despite her deep love and appreciation for children, she never had kids and is survived only by her goddaughter.  This art program was started by her goddaughter and heir to keep her spirit alive and to share her work with future generations.  Instilling a love and appreciation for art and all that she held so dear.