Rachel has always drawn inspiration from the natural world. She grew up in Snowdonia, in the Conwy valley, until age 13 when she moved to Ynys Enlli/Bardsey Island with her family (a small remote island off the North Wales coast). ”I have always drawn and painted, and living on Enlli deepened my desire to capture the beauty I saw around me. I spent much of my time outside, drawing and observing the seals, seabirds, and seascapes, later developing an interest in moths, butterflies and wild flowers.”
Rachel’s foundation year was spent in various short courses at West Dean college, West Sussex before starting a BA in Drawing at Falmouth School of Art, which left at the end of her second year to learn at her own pace and pursue particular interests within her drawing and painting practice. She participated twice in the SWLA (Society of Wildlife Artists) seabird drawing course based in North Berwick, and was lucky to win their bursary in 2016. This led to an interest in watercolour painting.

“I mainly work in watercolours, in the field directly from life.
I paint whatever draws my attention, but giving particular focus to the small things easily missed.
I now live in Rhiw, Pen Llyn, and continue to be delighted daily by the hidden things in nature.”