About
Hi, I'm Rachael, an award-winning artist based in Essex, UK.
Before becoming a full-time artist, I worked as a Senior Zookeeper at Colchester Zoo, overseeing a diverse collection of species within the busy and highly visible Farm section. It was a role filled with both incredible rewards and significant challenges. I'd dreamed of becoming a zookeeper since childhood, and although that dream became reality in my twenties, the demands of the profession left little time for creative pursuits. As a teenager, I loved drawing, but discouraging feedback from teachers gradually eroded my confidence and led me away from art for many years.
Everything changed in March 2020, shortly after the birth of our first child. At the time, I was unknowingly struggling with postnatal depression and anxiety, which would later be formally diagnosed. Picking up a pencil again became a turning point in my life. Drawing brought a sense of calm and focus that I desperately needed, and amidst the sleepless nights and endless nappy changes, art became my sanctuary.
Within just five months of returning to drawing, I completed my first commissioned portrait. By the end of that year, clients from around the world were trusting me to create treasured portraits of their beloved animals.
It is perhaps no surprise that horses have become such a significant part of my work. Having owned two wonderful horses and spent much of my life within the equestrian world, I naturally built my business within the equestrian community. Whilst I create portraits of all animals, horses will always hold a special place in my heart and on my canvas.
In 2022, I was honoured to be nominated for Equine Service of the Year at the Equestrian Business Awards by my wonderful clients and followers. To my amazement, I was not only shortlisted as a finalist but went on to win the award. The recognition remains one of the proudest moments of my artistic career and is something I will always be incredibly grateful for. In 2023, I was invited to become an official judge for the Equestrian Business Awards, helping to assess entries in the Equine Service of the Year and Social Influencer of the Year categories.
In 2025, I expanded my artistic services to include live wedding painting. Combining my passion for storytelling with my love of capturing meaningful moments, I now create bespoke paintings during weddings, preserving the atmosphere, emotion and memories of a couple's special day in a truly unique way. To ensure every piece receives the time, care and attention it deserves, I accept only a limited number of live wedding painting bookings each year.
Whether I'm creating a cherished animal portrait or capturing the magic of a wedding day, my goal is always the same: to create meaningful artwork that tells a story and will be treasured for years to come.

