Discovering Uniqueness
In the lead up to the Land Sea Sky Exhibition I was fortunate to be interviewed by the lovely Anna Itkonen. We spoke about my inspiration, my art journey so far and my painting practice.
Rachel Rae paints from her experiences and fills her canvasses with what she feels and sees in the world. Based in Sydney, she is fascinated by the coastline, the colours, the water and the patterns created by nature. The ocean has been a big part of her life and art and has an almost therapeutic meaning.
The movement, translucency and reflections create layers and fascination that are impossible to surpass. In her paintings, the people enjoying it all complete the picture.
“After moving to Sydney from melbourne, I was intrigued by the ocean pools. It seemed odd initially to create a barrier to the ocean, but the longer I live here, the more I realise how the pools make the ocean more accessible for people to enjoy. There is something about the juxtaposition of the ocean outside and the more tranquil space inside [the pool].”
Tamarama Beach Volleyball
As she has described it herself, Rachel’s style is like a fingerprint, very uniquely her. She focuses on mark-making to highlight the colours and movement of the landscapes. And while her compositions come from photos of the scenery, the colours derive from memories.
“I did a painting once where the rocks were a myriad of colours. Those were the colours in the rocks that I saw. [For me] There are no rules, and things don’t have to be certain. I paint the world as I see it.”
After experimenting with oil paint, printmaking and collage techniques, acrylic paints have offered her the most artistic expression. “I might start incorporating [oils, printmaking and collage] into my work again- but for now, I like the quick drying time, the fluidity, the easy clean up of acrylics. I am quite an impatient and messy painter, so I think acrylics suit my style.”
Through her art, Rachel wants to transport the viewer to that specific place and point in time she experienced. “When I paint a specific location and a specific time, it helps cement that memory for me. I would like to take the viewer to that place and time too. They could envisage themselves standing at that same spot, and they could feel the weather, smell the ocean and hear the waves.”
Rachel comes from a family of generations of creative people, and as such art and creativity were in her upbringing from an early age. Turning her creativity into a career came later, though. “Serendipitously, as I was leaving my job in publishing to move to Spain due to my husband’s work, I saw a book on top of a box of giveaways called ‘How to make money from art’ by Jacqueline Coates. It was the kickstart I needed to get over the fear. I had the time and the headspace to focus on my art practice, and I thought, if not now, when?”
“I think many of us live our lives very routinely; eat, sleep and work. Art triggers more life in us. It brings colours and energy to our day. Life and art are an adventure in discovering our uniqueness. It is a privilege to be able to show not only my own special light but how I uniquely view the world through my art.”
