Close-up of Rachel's hands holding soft charcoal, textured watercolor paper on an oak table, diffused overcast coastal daylight
Close-up of Rachel's hands holding soft charcoal, textured watercolor paper on an oak table, diffused overcast coastal daylight

About Rachel

I'm Rachel, the artist behind The Artful Rachel, based in East Donegal.

I'm self-taught. I picked up a paintbrush properly in 2020, in the middle of a health crisis and a difficult period for my mental health, and painting became something I turned to without fully realising why at the time. It gave me a way to sit with things that were hard to put into words. That period shaped everything about how I now think about creativity, not as a skill to master or a talent you either have or don't, but as a genuine tool for getting through things.

Since then, my practice has moved across a lot of ground. I've worked in acrylic, gouache, and watercolour, and right now I'm deep into mixed media, layering coloured pencil and Neocolor over watercolour, alongside small acryla gouache ACEOs. I keep returning to nature, especially botanicals, birds, and landscapes, but I'll happily admit I'm a style hopper. What stays consistent isn't the medium, it's the reason I keep making things.

I'm currently completing an MSc in Psychology, and I'm waiting on ethics approval for my thesis. That background feeds directly into how I run my workshops, grounded in a real interest in how creativity supports mental health, not just a feeling that it probably does.

My workshops are for adults only. They're relaxed, unpretentious, and built around enjoying the process rather than producing something "perfect." No experience is needed, and no talent either, just a willingness to try.

Follow Me on Instagram

Here's a sneak peek of what to expect:

Let's plan your workshop

If this sounds like something your team, group, or community centre would enjoy, get in touch and we'll find a session that fits.