Born in Sheffield in 1970, Rachel came to Edinburgh in 2004 and lives happily in North Berwick with her family and two rescue dogs.

After graduating from Kingston University with a degree in illustration followed by a PGCE from The London Institute Of Education, she spent eighteen years as a full time teacher of art in London, Derbyshire and Edinburgh, before taking a career break to raise her family. It was then that Rachel developed a simplistic style, using emulsion and acrylic, bringing to life the drawings and notes she makes in her many sketchbooks.

Her work in this flat, illustrative style is inspired by a love of observing life as it happens, (sometimes with a bit of added imagination). Usually on board and wooden panel, Rachel’s work captures life in East Lothian, the scenes and snippets that make her smile, the simplicity of daily routine, and the familiar sights we see at a glance, and might recognise. Most of all, Rachel’s love of the coast and canines, in this beautiful part of Scotland, inspire all of her work, from acrylics on giant canvases, to scribbles on coffee shop napkins.

Rachel has recently taken part in the Big Hare Trail with ten other artists from Edinburgh and the Lothians. Her swimming hare, aptly named ‘Wild Thing’ helped to raise thousands of pounds for Leuchie House Respite Breaks Scotland. Rachel says that her love of living near the sea, inspires her to create, every single day of the year.