Hello, my name is Rachel Conduit and I am an artist from Perth, Western Australia. Originally from British Columbia (BC), Canada, I have taught high school art in Canada, Singapore, and Australia. I have been drawing and painting since I was young and have shown my work in Perth at community art exhibitions, in local shops, and most recently at the Ellis House Art Centre where my 'Whimsey' series is on display. I work with various mediums and subjects but love acrylic or oil paint the best. My work is vibrant and colourful and often depicts landscapes, animals, portraiture and still life subjects. As photography is a big part of my life, I often uses my own photographs as references for my paintings.
Artists who inspire and influence me are historical ones like Frida Kahlo, Vincent Van Gogh, and Lawren Harris. Contemporary artists that I admire are Anya Brock, Anh Do, and Ruth Speer.
Besides acrylic and oil painting, I also enjoy working with other mediums such as pens, inks, watercolours, lino block printing, collage and ceramics. As I have been working as a high school art teacher for much of my career, a knowledge of these mediums has been essential. Through my teaching, I have found an appreciation for all of these forms of art-making. My goal is to constantly produce work and inspire others with my art.
Photography is another passion of mine and I am never without my camera. When on a safari in Sri Lanka with my husband Callum, I had to change my camera battery. Callum asked me what I would do if we saw what we were hoping to see right at that moment (a leopard). "I would rather not see one while I'm not ready to take a picture of it," was my reply. Travel photography is very important to me, but I also love making images of people, families, and groups. My style is very natural beyond setting up the shot and arranging people to showcase their best selves. I might encourage a lift of a chin or a tilt of the head, a better positioning of a hand, but, I try not to dictate too much what my subjects do. I want to capture people in natural moments, which are to me the most beautiful.
Hopefully as you browse my website you will be inspired to either purchase a piece, contact me about a commission or a photography session, or just to get out there and make your own artwork!