Today we meet the Louisiana based watercolor artist behind the bespoke watercolor art brand, Rachael Roxanne by Hand. Rachael creates gorgeous custom crests, invitations, hand-painted cookies and one of my recent obsessions her ‘birds in wigs’ series. When it comes to your special day, having everything just the way you imagined right down to the final detail is something that every bride hopes for, right down to the invitations. Rachael works one on one with her clients to create custom crests, hand-painted invitations which often leads to baby shower invites and first birthday cookies.
In this interview Rachael shares about when she first became interested in the medium of watercolors, the process of creating custom crests, what she enjoys most about working one on one with clients and more.
When did you first become interested in the art of watercolor?
After graduating from college with an art degree, I began working part-time at a local art supply store. I was somewhat struggling with figuring out a path as an artist after school. Like any lost art school graduate, I had begun playing around with different mediums after purchasing some fresh supplies from the store. One day, I came across a fancy pack of watercolors that had been damaged and discounted. I bought them and began to experiment. I loved the journey and challenge through the delicate process of painting with watercolor. I suppose you could say the rest is history. I actually still use tubes from that set today.
Do you have a favorite brand of watercolors you like to use for your work?
My go-to is Holbein Artists Watercolors. I love the intensity of the pigments and how the color stays vibrant, from light washes to clean darks.
What is your greatest source of inspiration?
I absolutely love antique shopping and estate sale-hunting with my mother and three sisters. I’m always inspired by the vintage items I find and mixing them up with newer, more contemporary ideas. Being inspired by the combination of classic themes with contemporary ideas is not just my art aesthetic, I find it plays a roll in many aspects of my life. I find this theme in my home, closet, music choices, and beyond. I am an old soul thriving in a new world.
What is a typical day in the studio like?
Usually, I start with a cup of earl grey tea before wrangling a cat out of my drawing chair. I listen to contemporary classical music when I work; something along the lines of composers like Max Ritcher or Thomas Newman. Over the years, I’ve found that I’ll paint something for as long as it holds my attention. If I start to feel restless with it, I’ll put it aside for a bit and work on something else. I have a three-year old son named Emerson and if he’s not in school, he’s usually running around, occasionally asking if he can paint with me (the answer is always yes).
Overall, I try to balance my day by rotating between different projects. Brainstorming and creating a final product isn’t exactly a linear process for me. I try to give everything enough thought and time so that I am confident with the concept of what’s ultimately being created.
What project are you working on right now?
Currently, I’m working on 40 hand-painted gold monogram crests for envelope liners. It’s part of a wedding invitation suite for a smaller gathering, something I’m seeing a lot more of since the pandemic has started.
Tell me about the process of creating custom crests.
I always start by asking for wedding details to get a basic understanding of everything that’s at play. Once I know more about the overall scope, I’ll ask about themes, typefaces, specific colors, florals and potential monogram designs. I often work with brides that are incredibly open to my own ideas, which is wonderful for the creative process. From there, I sketch a few options for the overall look of the crest and the bride provides feedback. Once we’re on the same page about design, I’ll send over a color palette plan for final confirmation and then get to work.
In addition to crests, you watercolor beautiful homes / villas, custom maps, wedding invitations, florals in ink and more. What drew you to these particular ‘genres’ of art?
I’ve always been one to try and experience as much as possible in life. I never could sit still as a child. I wanted to play soccer, dance, learn to cook, read books, collect rocks, etc. My parents also are both creative and I’ve been very blessed to have been supported since a young age to explore the possibilities of new things. That encouragement still resonates with me as an adult, an art teacher and an artist. Trying new things is simply a way to grow. For the record, I lasted two games during my experimental soccer phase. I am very thankful that the artist phase lasted much longer!
In addition to the work on paper, you also create hand-painted cookies. How long does the process of hand painting a dozen cookies take?
Roughly three days. Evenings when the house is quiet is my cookie-making time. On night one, I bake the cookies. On night two, I ice them. On night three, I have a test taste meeting with my toddler baking assistant. Once the cookies have passed the test, I then hand-paint them with gel food coloring and vodka as a thinning agent. The alcohol evaporates as it dries and creates the watercolor look. The next day is, of course, the most rewarding — cookie delivery day.
I love the Bohemian Garden Shoot that you shared on your website. Out of all the projects you’ve done, what has been one of the most intricate projects you’ve ever worked on (or the most fun to work on)?
I think the most intricate item I’ve done was a delicate fence drawn in ink around a historic building. It was used as a vellum wrapper secured with a custom monogram seal to complete a wedding invitation suite. The fence was incredibly detailed and the image needed to be quite long to complete the wrapper. I used a thin micron pen for line details and accuracy. This made the whole process take much longer, but the end result was a truly custom piece.
The most fun project I’ve worked on (and continue to do) is painting birds in wigs. It’s something I started a few years back as a sort of joke with family and friends, but I’ve enjoyed keeping it going. The idea started with a piece I created for my sister’s home. I called her “Marie Antoinest”. As my “birds in wigs” series continues, it is a wonderful reminder to always create things that bring me joy. “Ruth Bader Ginsbird” is next on my list!
What do you enjoy the most about working with clients to create custom wedding and shower invitations?
I truly love working with clients because the special piece we create together forever connects us. That bond often spreads beyond wedding and shower invitations. I’m thrilled when my bride clients become ‘new baby’ clients or ‘first birthday party cookie’ clients. A unique relationship can form from something as simple as a piece of art (or a cookie), and the privilege of doing what I love on a daily basis is not lost on me.
Visit Rachael’s website and follow along via Instagram @rachaelroxanne.byhand
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