I have always lived in the countryside and I love nature. I enjoyed a lot of freedom and time outside during my rural Cornish upbringing which I think was vital to encouraging my curiosity and developing my creativity and understanding. Not everyone is lucky enough to have wilderness on their doorstep, but there is a wealth of wildlife waiting to be discovered in all environments. I’m very keen to highlight wildlife that the majority of people will have access to. Sometimes ‘common’ wildlife or tiny creatures can be overlooked, but they are no less interesting or essential than other native species. I hope to inspire others to appreciate and look after our precious wildlife. There has been a marked decline in wildlife in recent years so I feel it is important that we try to preserve what we have left.
I am an artist/ illustrator based in Bude, North Cornwall. I graduated from Falmouth University with a BA (Hons) in Illustration in 2013. I started my business, Rachel Corney Illustration in 2019 to create beautiful, illustrated goods inspired by nature, wildlife and my love of Cornwall. I use my surroundings and the wildlife I see as inspiration for my work. I mainly work in ink and watercolour to create highly detailed and vibrant illustrations.
I want my business to be as sustainable as possible. I try using local suppliers as much as I can and research their eco-credentials. I try to limit packaging-particularly plastics. Most of my cello bags are biodegradable/ compostable, I use paper tape and either cardboard boxes or board backed envelopes for shipping. I recycle whatever I can. I am constantly trying to improve my sustainability. It isn’t easy, but it is worth it.
We were lucky enough to be surrounded by nature: I was never happier than when I was exploring some wild place. I loved it all; the sights, the sounds and the scents. It really engaged my attention, fuelled my imagination and completely fascinated me.
I believe passionately that art should be accessible to everyone. That is why I create illustrated products - I want art and nature to be everywhere, with you always. There is some snobbery in art, which I feel is wrong. I don’t understand why anyone would want to restrict access to something which can inspire and bring joy to others. I think both nature and art can be massively beneficial to a person’s wellbeing. The modern world is described as fast-paced and stressful. Life is relentless and expectations are high.
It is very easy to become trapped in the chaotic and competitive whirlpool of modern living. This is why it has never been more important to take time out to relax and ground yourself. For me nature is very grounding. I love leaving my phone behind and going exploring. I find it refreshing and it reminds me of what I truly value. That is why I want my work to bring a bit of the outside in. It can act as a symbol: when you can’t be outside you can still have some of that natural beauty near you.
