about me

 

 

Hi, I'm Rachel, an artist based in San Francisco, California. There are few things I love more than a day with zero plans other than to let my mind wander, explore a beautiful place, breathe in fresh air, and admire some insects and birds. My art is a reflection of the quiet wonder that nature brings — the mysteries whispered through ancient leaves, the strings of the universe, the way a planthopper thumps a plant stem to say hello.

I love to read about early explorers and naturalists. I want to sail around the islands of the South Pacific, Borneo, Indonesia, and Australia. I'd like to paint every tropical fruit dove and peacock spider in existence, in their natural habitat. One day.

After completing a degree in Wildlife Conservation Biology, I found my way to a true treasure trove — the California Academy of Sciences' entomology department, where I am surrounded by insect specimens of a dizzying variety of color and pattern. Some are so small they cannot be fully appreciated by the naked eye. I love sharing these specimens with people through science communication and art, and I have been creating wildlife illustrations ever since.

I try to incorporate conservation into all of my work, and highlight not just the beauty of the subjects I illustrate, but their importance in our interconnected web of life. A percentage of proceeds from every artwork is donated monthly to organizations working to protect the planet, including The Orangutan Project, Amazon Watch, and Wildlife Warriors.

When I'm not making art, I'm traveling, cooking, or deep in a movie. I love anything with layers — dark, strange, and full of meaning. David Lynch is a personal hero.

If you have collaboration ideas, or just want to say hi, or talk about bugs or cats (or any other type of animal), please get in touch via my contact page. I would love to hear from you!

Thanks for visiting,
Rachel