Rachel Toll is a local watercolour artist whose work is inspired by the landscapes and wildlife of Devon. She also paints endangered species and this year her polar bear was nominated for the prestigious David Shepherd Wildlife Artist of the Year Award. Here she reflects on how her painting has helped her cope with lockdown with the added pressure of undergoing treatment for cancer. She sees her bear as a symbol of hope, both for her and for the planet.
I am sitting in my studio (posh name for my converted shed) situated in my Devon garden, listening to the birds, and enjoying the glorious Spring sunshine that 2020 has provided. I can very easily convince myself that all is well in the world. Although we all know 2020 has been a hugely different year for all of us.
I am so lucky as painting is what I do. I paint almost every day and know what a privilege it is to be able to make a living from the thing that I enjoy most. This month I have sent work as far afield as the U.S. and as close to home as Yeoford. I am inspired to paint what is around me. Devon has a wealth of natural beauty, the high hedges, beautiful coastline, and wonderful wildlife. I have gained a reputation for painting wildlife and I also paint endangered species and more exotic animals. I have been part of the David Shepherd Wildlife Artist of the Year exhibition several times, including this year.
I am especially thrilled this year, as I painted my bear between rounds of chemotherapy. I see this painting as a symbol of hope, for the bear’s future, and for mine. I was unlucky enough to be diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer late last year, difficult enough, but to then have the added anxiety of the pandemic, who could have predicted that too? I have undergone treatment but have also found comfort in my watercolours. I have managed to paint my way through the treatment and the ongoing pandemic, whilst shielding here in Mid Devon.
Painting in lockdown is a blessing, it provides an escape; however the piece turns out, the process of painting it takes me away from the here and now, to a different place.
I was determined to try to paint a piece for this year’s exhibition, but entering these judged exhibitions is a risk. You need to be prepared for them to say no, and I have had years when I did not make it. I am not sure how I would have felt about that this year, but getting in has given me a real boost. The exhibition this year is a virtual one, all online, but we are getting used to that, too aren’t we?
I also like to paint wildlife that I can see every day, Devon wildlife from bumblebees…..
To foxes...
Inspired recently by the rainbows appearing in windows all around the land. I wanted to create my own tribute to Key workers.
I love watercolour, but it is a tricky medium. It can really deliver when you get to know it well and work with what it can do.
If there is one medium made for skies, then in my mind it is watercolour. Play around with it, let it work its magic. Try not to fight it and see what happens. When you know what it will do in certain situations then use those in your work. Large skies like the one in this piece are an excuse to play with the paint, the colour, and the amount of water. Keep stepping back and decide where needs more, where needs leaving be. Keep the plan in your head, where is the light coming from? What do you want in the end, but be open to change, relish those happy accidents!
I can’t do much during these strange and uncertain times, but I can paint. So in a very small way my rainbow series are a way to say thank you to everyone working so hard to keep us safe , from refuse collectors to consultants, and to say a very personal thank you to the NHS staff in Exeter who continue to care for me.
You can read more about my work by visiting my Website
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