A Sense of Place - Inspiration and Creative Process
Rachel is a semi-abstract landscape artist based on the Gower Peninsular, South Wales. Her work is inspired by the ever-changing landscapes of our coastline and countryside. She finds beauty in the contrasts of light and shadow, the interplay of colours in nature, and the serene yet dynamic environments that surround her. Her inspiration often comes from quiet moments spent observing the world around her - whether it’s the subtle shifts of light during a misty morning or the dramatic skies of an impending storm. Rachel is not concerned so much with replicating a scene but she paints to convey the emotions and atmosphere of a place. Her art serves as a conduit for expressing both outer and inner landscapes, creating a bridge between the physical world and emotional experiences. Each piece is an invitation to experience both the tranquility and majesty of nature, providing a sense of peace and reflection.
Rachel's creative process begins with immersing herself in the landscape, walking, observing, photographing and sketching. Her sketchbooks are filled with quick, expressive charcoal drawings which capture the essence of a scene. These sketches serve as the foundation for her paintings but often serve as just a starting point as Rachel works intuitively drawing from memory and emotion.
In the studio, Rachel is known for her experimental approach and the rich texture of her paintings. She primarily uses oils with cold wax on gesso wooden panels, canvas, and paper and enjoys exploring various techniques to create depth and interest. Her work is a celebration of the physicality of paint and surface. In recent work, her paintings have become highly textural. Her works are made up from many layers of oil paint and she incorporates different painting mediums and materials to build texture, making each piece a tactile experience as much as a visual one. Her work is characterized by a sense of movement and vitality, reflecting the natural rhythms of the sea and landscapes she loves.
Background
Rachel grew up in the picturesque Staffordshire countryside, where her love for painting the landscape began as a child. After completing a foundation year in Art & Design at Loughborough University, Rachel earned a place at Falmouth College of Arts. There, she spent three transformative years, graduating in 2006 with a BA (Hons) degree in Illustration. Her time in Cornwall solidified her passion for the coast, inspiring her first tranche of landscape paintings alongside her illustration work. Post-graduation, Rachel moved to South Wales embarking on her first professional illustration commissions for clients including BBC Wales, NSPCC and Komatsu. Alongside her freelance illustration work, she actively participated in shows, art fairs and fulfilled many private painting commissions working from her studio in the iconic Kings Rd studios in Pontcanna, Cardiff. In 2007, Rachel founded an art gallery in Cardiff, curating a diverse range of exhibitions featuring predominantly Welsh artists. Rachel worked with hundreds of artists in this time and the experience provided her with invaluable insights into the fine art market. However, as the gallery went from strength to strength, Rachel found herself with little time for her own painting practice. Eventually the pull was too strong and in 2012 Rachel returned to full-time painting. Rachel now lives beside the sea in Mumbles, 'The Gateway to the Gower' with her husband, two children and her studio help and walking companion, Molly the Labrador. She paints daily from her studio in Langland or en plein air when the Welsh weather allows.