Rachel Meehan

Rachel is a fine artist who specialises in scraperboard and lino. Her images are illustrative representations of flowers and birds, aiming to capture the boldness and colour found in nature.

Trained as a Fine Artist with a specialisation in Printmaking, I completed my Post Graduate studies at Glasgow School of Art and I now focus on botanical and bird images.

My current work primarily involves two mediums:, the first, scraperboard which I use to produce intricate and complex compositions. The process of working from black to white, gradually removing the black ink to unveil the image, lends itself to a woodcut effect that allows for considerable detail. Each piece takes several days or weeks to complete. Secondly, lino cuts, which are characterised by bold black and white designs. I sometimes hand colour these using watercolours to make each print unique.

I utilise my designs in various applications, including cards, fabrics, and decorative papers, as well as producing both open and limited edition prints.

My garden is one of my biggest inspirations and I enjoy the process of selecting specimens I have cultivated, sketching them, developing the design on the scraperboard, and capturing the colours that epitomise the essence of the specimen. The chosen plants are often just past their prime when the blooms exhibit more expressive shapes and forms as they transition towards decline. Additionally, exotic and colourful birds are a preferred subject matter; my proximity to a bird centre dedicated to breeding and conserving rare species from around the globe provides ample opportunity for observation and inspiration. I also love to capture the beauty of the pheasants which roam the garden in winter and spring and they have inspired a couple of recent works. Situated in Birgham, I work from my garden studio, which offers the added benefit of stepping outside to select items for my drawings. The challenge sometimes lies in making this decision without being distracted by gardening activities.

You can find out more about Rachel Meehan on her website, instagram and facebook