As mentioned in a previous post this year I have been experimenting with the idea of building up my own symbolic language to use in my art practice and as a way to explore psychological aspects of my Self. The symbol of a "vessel" has come up repeatedly in my explorations and during one of …
At the beginning of 2025 I set myself a few challenges that I've called my 25 in 2025 challenges. These challenges ranged from "read 25 books" to "write 25 blog posts". One of the challenges I set out for myself was to complete 25 finished, individual paintings in 2025. I'm pleased to say that I …
BRIGHT BOTANICALS 2 BY RACHEL CRAWSHAW BRIGHT BOTANICALS 1 BY RACHEL CRAWSHAW Recently I have had fun experimenting with combining negative space, mixed media and semi-abstract botanicals. I created these botanical pieces by firstly starting with a collaged base. I glued the collage elements in place with matte medium. I then added bright layers of …
Last week I took part in the annual Paint Garstang plein air painting competition. This year I decided to use the post impressionist painter Cezanne as inspiration for my piece. In particular I have been interested in how Cezanne paints trees and the landscape. I used The following paintings Montagne Sainte-Victoire 1885-1887 Cezanne, Landscape with …
Recently I have been drawn to the symbolism surrounding Vessels and have been experimenting with the motif of various types of vessels in my sketchbook and art journals. I have been playing with mono printing techniques, negative space painting, making my own stamps and stencils and with collage in my sketchbook to further explore and …
These drawings were from my last in person session at Life Drawing Blackburn, so it was a fun session but tinged with sadness. Stewart modelled for us and as an extra treat he also played us some songs on his guitar and sang to us while we drew. This made the drawing a fun technical …
My botanical themed art work- Rachel Crawshaw Recently at TAC (Thursday art club) the artists made a group still life display with the theme of "Botanicals". I love it when we do these collaborative displays as you get a real mix of interesting and unusual items and everyone approaches the theme differently. For this theme …
I was very sad to hear that my regular life drawing class- Life Drawing Blackburn- is closing down. It is hopefully being re-started in September as an online class, and I plan to start attending the in person Hush life drawing group in Clitheroe more regularly as an alternative when it re-opens in september. Here …
Collage—the art of assembling different materials like paper, photographs, fabric, and found objects into a composition—is a powerful medium for self-expression. Its layered nature mirrors the complexity of identity, memory, and emotion. By combining disparate elements, collage allows artists to tell stories, evoke feelings, and explore inner landscapes in ways that are intuitive, symbolic, and …
Continue reading 100 days of Collage: Days 59 & 60 “Exploring Culture and Identity”
I have always been skeptical and resistant to use AI . The idea of bringing AI into my creative process was a no go area. I worried that AI would steal from me everything that makes me an artist. That it would turn art-making into a cold, mechanical exchange. That it would replace the rich, …
Continue reading How AI is (Surprisingly) Helping Me Make My Art Practice More Personal
Mushroom Moon Designs 