Mostly self-taught, Rachel works predominately in porcelain slip casting. Whilst studying a Bachelor of Design, she learned the basic technique of slip casting from Jo Nuttall – glass casting Artist in Auckland. Much of Rachel’s skills have been developed over time, through successes and failures and in the case of gilding, many years of practice.

After 15 years Designing furniture and interiors, with the creation of art as a hobby, it was not until 2012 that Rachel decided to concentrate on ceramics and then in 2014 become a full time artist. Her work is therefore influenced by her design background, through form and in the domestic pieces – functionality.

Rachel considers herself a student of nature and is constantly in awe of the subtleties and extremes of land, sea and air. Her creative process often begins with observations on a walk in the bush or on rugged west coast beaches. More recently, along with her ceramics practice, Rachel has explored another creative avenue in which she hand-gilds leaves to beautiful effect. Oak and gingko are the current focus, wall mountable, these delicate objects can be displayed singularly or en masse.