Rachel Rae
The Ocean as Muse
With sweeping waves and textured ripples, Rachel Rae’s work evokes the warmth of the ocean and the crisp saltiness of sea air. Drawn to the contrast between the stillness of rock pools and the energy of crashing waves, she captures these coastal scenes with vibrant honesty and emotional depth.
Writer: Solomiya Sywak
Freshwater Swell
CONSTANTLY SURROUNDED BY WATER, painter Rachel Rae places the ocean at the heart of her work, treating it as the main character in her artistic narrative. Born in Melbourne and spending much of her time along the Great Ocean Road, in Anglesea, and now on Sydney’s beaches, Rachel draws creative energy from both the rhythm of the waves and the artistic influence of her family. A pivotal move to Spain in 2018 offered her the chance to deepen her professional endeavours. “It gave me the time and space to really evolve my art practice, and from that point on, painting began to take centre stage,” she reflects. Since returning to Sydney in 2020, Rachel has fully immersed herself in her work, noting “commitment has shaped everything since.”
Pittwater Perspectives
Rachel’s process centres on her own observations of the water. “I take in light, colour, movement, pattern,” she explains, before building on loose sketches to shape each piece. In her work South Curl Curl Summers, this observational approach brings to life an intriguing contrast: the stillness of the rock pool set against the wild, white water spilling over onto Curl Curl Beach. Painted together, they form a jigsaw-like portrait of the perfect summer. The artist’s fascination with seascapes and the people within them is clear; her careful depiction of families and beachgoers in the foreground captures a vivid sense of nostalgia. She balances bold, gestural strokes with finer touches that hold atmosphere and memory, allowing music, mood, and rhythm to guide the evolution of each piece. Her use of colour is expansive, unbound by convention. “I love those hidden rainbows you find in rocks, water, and foliage when you really look closely,” she says, a testament to her deep attention and joyful curiosity.
Curl Curl South
South Curl Curl Summers
Awakenings in Bronte Bogey Hole
Rachel's attic studio, alive with creativity and bathed in natural light, is a space where organised chaos fuels artistic exploration. It serves as a haven for experimentation, particularly in observing and interpreting our relationship with water. As she embarks on a new series focused on the movement of people within the sea, her work continues to captivate. “My focus is on deepening the storytelling in my work and sharing more of the creative process with my community,” she shares - an intention to further delve into the pushes and pulls between serenity and energy.
rachelraeart.com.au
@rachelrae_art
