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Curriculum Vitae
Relevant Qualifications
BA Hons Illustration and Art Galleries
Exhibitions to Date Rachael has been exhibiting professionally for over 20 years, and has had 40 major solo exhibitions to date. Awards
Publication and Experiences Rachael was fortunate enough to be one of the chosen artists to feature in Denis Robinson’s New Zealand Gallery book, published in 2010. Rachael's illustrations are published in two children's picture books in New Zealand, and her watercolour sketches are published in a poetry book in England. Rachael has spent time teaching art at a primary school, and also at a residential home for the elderly. In 2008, Rachael was funded to fly to Australia and teach art to a group of autistic adults (Acorn Artists), she then attended the launch of their website and helped to sell paintings by the group at the launch. She has also enjoyed teaching life drawing classes and several other workshops over the years. Rachael is considered one of New Zealand's best selling commercial artists, and her clients include Price Waterhouse Coopers, Bob Jones, and a famous rock star that she is not allowed to name ;-). She has clients who collect her work, and have purchased multiple paintings. Much of her work goes overseas, with focus on the Australian market. “ Rachael is an extremely talented and very successful artist, she is an absolute joy to work with and has a deep understanding of the art world from the aspect of the gallery. She works hard to make her exhibitions successful and indeed they are in both our Auckland and Wellington Gallery” Ron Epskamp, Exhibitions Gallery, Wellington. |
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Artist Statement
"I grew up living in the middle of an English wood, where my brother and I spent most of our time making dens and treehouses. It is undoubtedly this experience that created my fascination with painting trees. I would stand for ages with both hands on a tree, trying to see if there really are tree spirits. I believe there are.
I studied fine art, textiles and then a BA hons in Illustration in the UK; all of which directed me into the way I paint now. After years of traveling I moved to New Zealand 17 years ago, and got lost in the diversity of the landscapes that I was surrounded by.
From doodling intricate ball point pen drawings to loose wash water colours; I’ve always been trying to capture the images that I see. As time has progressed, the tree and nature paintings that I create have taken on life of their own; I try to push new boundaries of perception and dimension to the eye. I recreate the texture of bark with modelling paste and other ‘secret’ mediums that are tactile and 3-dimensional, giving the paintings a sense of realism that draws the viewer in further. I’m endlessly fascinated with using different techniques to recreate the vibrant colours I see in nature.
My work is inspired by colours in nature, and the way light filters through flora. I try to create an emotive connection so that when people look into the paintings they ‘feel’ something that is peaceful, wistful and calming. Many clients say that the paintings remind them of a moment from childhood, a walk or special place.
My creative process is simple. I go hiking and take hundreds of photos of things that I find beautiful, and then I translate it into my version on canvas. I never copy a photo (unless asked to for a commission), I allow the painting to grow outwards from a light point. Colour and depth are my main technical objectives. Beauty and calmness are my artistic objectives. I often run paintings in a series, each one different from the other but exploring the same theme. I can get completely obsessed with a certain colour, or light point.
My art career has taken my paintings worldwide, I have clients and collectors globally. I share my time between my studio in New Zealand and my studio in Australia. I have won several awards – although my favourite type of recognition is through the joy my clients express from my paintings.
Painting and art is my passion; it’s all I ever want to do. The tree paintings are an extension of that passion."
I studied fine art, textiles and then a BA hons in Illustration in the UK; all of which directed me into the way I paint now. After years of traveling I moved to New Zealand 17 years ago, and got lost in the diversity of the landscapes that I was surrounded by.
From doodling intricate ball point pen drawings to loose wash water colours; I’ve always been trying to capture the images that I see. As time has progressed, the tree and nature paintings that I create have taken on life of their own; I try to push new boundaries of perception and dimension to the eye. I recreate the texture of bark with modelling paste and other ‘secret’ mediums that are tactile and 3-dimensional, giving the paintings a sense of realism that draws the viewer in further. I’m endlessly fascinated with using different techniques to recreate the vibrant colours I see in nature.
My work is inspired by colours in nature, and the way light filters through flora. I try to create an emotive connection so that when people look into the paintings they ‘feel’ something that is peaceful, wistful and calming. Many clients say that the paintings remind them of a moment from childhood, a walk or special place.
My creative process is simple. I go hiking and take hundreds of photos of things that I find beautiful, and then I translate it into my version on canvas. I never copy a photo (unless asked to for a commission), I allow the painting to grow outwards from a light point. Colour and depth are my main technical objectives. Beauty and calmness are my artistic objectives. I often run paintings in a series, each one different from the other but exploring the same theme. I can get completely obsessed with a certain colour, or light point.
My art career has taken my paintings worldwide, I have clients and collectors globally. I share my time between my studio in New Zealand and my studio in Australia. I have won several awards – although my favourite type of recognition is through the joy my clients express from my paintings.
Painting and art is my passion; it’s all I ever want to do. The tree paintings are an extension of that passion."
