For over 30 years I worked professionally in theatre as a Director and Choreographer, creating productions through people, movement, light, colour and space. I also worked with costume, set and lighting design. Although my career was in theatre, visual art was always part of my creative life, and around ten years ago I began to devote much more time to developing my own painting.
I work primarily in acrylic, inspired by landscape, architecture, travel and the everyday moments that catch my attention. I am interested in atmosphere and the character of a place, and particularly enjoy finding something unexpected in an otherwise familiar scene.
Watercolour has become an important part of my creative process. When travelling, I use it to sketch, experiment with colour and composition, and record things that interest me in the moment. My sketchbooks have become a visual diary and an important source of ideas for larger acrylic paintings.
Click images to enlarge…
My theatre background continues to influence how I paint. I am drawn to movement and storytelling, and enjoy introducing figures into my work to give a scene a sense of life and narrative. I am also fascinated by the way changing light can alter the mood and focus of an image.
Alongside my own practice, I work as a Watercolour Art Instructor and Artist in Residence with Fred. Olsen and Saga Cruises, creating destination-inspired workshops, and I lead the Hawthorne Art Group in Welton, Lincolnshire.
I am a member of the Lincolnshire Artists’ Society and Art on the Map. In 2026 I was delighted to receive the Golding Young Award for Best Landscape at the LAS exhibition at Doddington Hall.
Rachel’s Links
Instagram @yellowbellyart
Facebook @yellowbellyart