Creativity With A Conscience
Hampshire Life|May 2018

Inspired by the local wildlife on her doorstep, Four Marks artist Rachel Hudson captures the character with her bold and intriguing illustrations

Sandra Smith
Creativity With A Conscience

The challenge of creating images which simultaneously portray simplicity and realism relies on each mark capturing accuracy and atmosphere. The results are pure, unfussy, even childlike in their appeal. But because naïve interpretations are both dependent on, and limited by spotlighting every angle, nuance and characteristic, the job of the artist to reflect authenticity while working to a minimalist approach suggests this style is at least, if not more, tricky to achieve than others.

Well, if this is so, Rachel Hudson shows no sign of pressure. On the contrary, the East Hampshire artist is so in tune with her genre, the notion of her producing anything other than her signature, quirky images defies imagination.

“I’m interested in an animal’s character,” the 44 year old smiles. “I particularly like the work of Charley Harper, a US artist. He said he didn’t count the feathers on a bird, he counted the wings. I’m not interested in minutiae; more shape, movement and behaviour. And I like an underlying sense of humour.”

Rachel’s fascination with her subjects first came to light during infancy. It was at a “tiny” primary school where she adopted a Norwegian teacher’s appreciation of nature and poetry which sat neatly alongside influences at home.

“Although he trained as a scientist, my dad was very artistic, he used to do linocuts. I’ve always loved William Morris wallpaper and fabric designs and my parents often took me to exhibitions. I learned recently that my great-grandmother designed for William Morris. She lived to the age of 103 and in the last few years shared little gems of information.”

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der May 2018-Ausgabe von Hampshire Life.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der May 2018-Ausgabe von Hampshire Life.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS HAMPSHIRE LIFEAlle anzeigen
Southampton's first Michelin star?
Hampshire Life

Southampton's first Michelin star?

Newly opened southeast Asian restaurant, Blue Jasmine, could have all the right ingredients to claim the coveted title

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 2020
This GIRL CAN
Hampshire Life

This GIRL CAN

Tracy Edwards MBE paved the way for women in sport with her boat Maiden. Now, 30 years on, she’s showing women around the world that they can do something amazing too

time-read
5 Minuten  |
November 2020
The good ship LIBERTY
Hampshire Life

The good ship LIBERTY

A call out on Instagram saw this Overton artist being included in the iconic Liberty Book

time-read
4 Minuten  |
November 2020
For KING & country
Hampshire Life

For KING & country

Can someone be born into greatness? We share the story of one of Britain’s most underrated monarchs, Henry III

time-read
4 Minuten  |
November 2020
Doing it for THEMSELVES
Hampshire Life

Doing it for THEMSELVES

Multi-tasking sisters Iman and Yasmine El Sheik have just launched their new haircare brand Divinely Made, set to transform curly locks across the country

time-read
3 Minuten  |
November 2020
The Bear Ladies
Hampshire Life

The Bear Ladies

Julie Tatchel and Amanda Middleditch from Bear It In Mind in Hythe regularly have viewers in tears with their bear restorations on the BBC hit show, The Repair Shop

time-read
4 Minuten  |
November 2020
A walk in Wonderland
Hampshire Life

A walk in Wonderland

A New Forest walk in the footsteps of Alice Hargreaves, the inspiration behind Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland

time-read
4 Minuten  |
November 2020
Creature comfort
Hampshire Life

Creature comfort

From growing up with Hampshire racehorses to caring for dogs and cats at home, Clare Balding’s love of animals has seen her through good times and bad

time-read
4 Minuten  |
November 2020
A rare find
Hampshire Life

A rare find

Hampshire’s diverse habitats attract all of Britain’s six native species of reptiles

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 2020
A friend in need
Hampshire Life

A friend in need

Margot has met a kindred spirit to share her renovation horror stories

time-read
3 Minuten  |
November 2020