Photography: Florence Charvin
The artwork Rachael Stone creates is the definition of eye-catching. Bright bursts of colour, bold lines and energetic shapes define the multimedia artist’s style. Her work can be seen dotted around Hawke’s Bay in the form of murals, installations, MDF sculptures and product branding just to name a few.
Combined with a sunny personality and an excellent wardrobe, Rachael is a force for joy.
Tell us about your artistic beginnings. When did it all start?
My earliest artistic memory is “borrowing” my mother’s hot pink nail polish and decorating the native ferns in our back garden.
Throughout school, the arty subjects were always my favourite, but it all kicked off in Melbourne. While living there I enrolled in an inner-city visual arts programme, and my skillset and passion grew from that point.
Colour rules in your artwork. Have you always felt drawn to it?
Yes, I’m an avid fan of colour and love nothing more than organising a colour palette, although I did have a period where I worked predominantly in black and white.
When my daughter was little, I began etching images of her. I used the black ink to manipulate shadow and light, and I enjoyed the techniques I could use with just one colour. It was a fitting intricate and delicate style for the stage of life I was in – the quiet cocoon of early motherhood. The loud colour and bold imagery crept in as my daughter grew. My artwork slowly became a little more “me”.
You work across a lot of different mediums. Do you have a favourite?
Presently I’m obsessed with creating plants in pots and vases on MDF and ply. Working large feels quite freeing and I like not being confined to space or a particular shape. I use Resene paint for the broad range of colours.
Describe a typical day in your life.
Creativity is an everyday part of life for us. Quite often while I paint, my daughter, Juno, will also park up next to me to do her thing – drawing, writing and reading. We have a new SPCA kitten, Onyx, who thinks living at our house is pretty cool with all the paper and crafty bits everywhere.
I work unconventional odd hours, I try to squeeze in as much art as I can around the free gaps of being a solo parent.
Is there a piece of art you’re most proud of?
The two little keepsake books I wrote for Juno. They are laden with positive self-esteem and self-worth messaging; poems and corresponding illustrative etchings. As artists tend to do, I poured all my emotions as a new mother into something tangible.
I became very aware of my mortality and the importance of parenthood. I had to express myself on paper, thus I Hope You and I See a Girl came to fruition. I’m also very fond of a large mural that GC Sculptor and I created for a short Hawke’s Bay film called Opia. It’s currently on public display in the CBD and brings a real pop of colour.
You hold workshops for kids over the school holidays – what was the inspiration behind starting those?
A fellow artist friend, Michele Jung, asked if I’d like to run a workshop in her studio. We tried it out and it was a hit. We work harmoniously together and enjoy offering our local tamariki these opportunities. I love that we potentially have an impact on them finding love and solace in the arts.
Having a creative outlet is such a gift, a calm escape for the mind, it is more important than ever to encourage creativity.
Since you do mostly commissioned public works, how much influence does the community have on your style?
I think every aspect of the past, your life experiences and your surroundings influence what you create. I feel a heavy pull towards iconography that makes me happy, such as palms, sunrises, pineapples and holiday-esqe symbolism. The Hawke’s Bay community with its sunny and beachy vibe definitely contributes to my work.
What do you have your eye on next?
I keep an open mind and try to let things unfold organically. I’ll continue to work hard, pursue the things that “sing” to me and take on projects that align with the aesthetic I am drawn to.
One day I would love to see my designs on materials and products. For now, I’m trying out some crazy, large 3D party plants, they are incredibly fun to make. I also get a buzz making art that features communities of women’s faces, so I would say more of those to come too. Female empowerment is certainly a motivator in my work.
Where can readers find your work?
The best place to check out my creations and chat is @rachaelstoneart
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