Rachel Melchers
Artists Statement
My work is inspired by the natural environment - from the bush to the beach. I love the feeling of being immersed in nature, to feel connected to the earth and the elements. Inspiration usually comes incidentally - when walking or driving - little details or vast vistas catch my eye with their unique pattern, colour or form. Painting is a form of mindful meditation for me, a place I lose myself in the process and feel connected to something greater than myself.
I predominantly paint landscapes and still life studies, with a focus on our unique Australian environment. My landscapes evolve from my memory of a particular place - not just the visual elements but the whole sensory experience and my emotional response to that moment in time. At some point during their creation, the painting takes on a life of its own and becomes more about the painting itself than any direct representation. My still life works are simple, contemplative studies with an emphasis on interesting plants and vessel forms and harmonious compositions.
Layering is an important element of my work and I use a variety of materials and implements to build up interesting textures and effects. I use palette knives, brushes (sometime homemade), rags and squeegees to apply paint. For smaller works on paper I use a combination of watercolour, ink, charcoal and soft pastels.
Artists Bio
Born in Melbourne in 1975, Rachel Melchers spent her formative years in the coastal city of Newcastle. She studied Visual Arts at University before sidelining her artistic passions for a time while she got a ‘real job’. With two small children, she and her husband moved briefly to Broken Hill, before they settled with their family in Mudgee in country NSW.
An avid gardener and renovator, Rachel has infused life with creativity in her varied pursuits. Her interests in psychology, design and architecture, along with her growing knowledge of plants and garden design inform her work as an artist. Rachel has been practicing consistently as an artist for the last 5 years, having held solo shows and been recognized for her work through art awards. Her paintings are colourful, joyful portrayals of the beauty she finds in the natural world. Rachel has recently built a studio / gallery space on her property in central Mudgee where she both creates and displays her work.