about me

My name is Rachael Whitfield and I have been captivated by art throughout my life. From illustrating my own stories as a child, to intently drawing diagrams throughout school and experimenting in art classes. I have chosen art for GCSE, A level, foundation year and now BA degree level. 

My foundation year art course at Macclesfield College really pushed me to refine my work. The variety of materials I was able to work with and the amount of freedom I was given was very motivating. I feel my best when I'm being exploratory and creative, I like the independence it gives me and how I can express myself through what I create. My Art A-level improved my analytical and evaluative skills, teaching me how to interpret artworks and appreciate them for their deeper meaning. Geography and Biology A-levels also enhanced my evaluative essay writing, providing me with a set of soft skills that have helped me throughout my foundation year.

The way that illustrative styles evoke emotions is fascinating and I am currently working on refining my portraiture skills through drawing, Lino printing, and creating photograms. I like the way that I can rework a piece of Lino several times to reveal different colours or tones of previous prints, or perfect one-layer prints. I have focused on creating landscapes using acrylics for larger paintings, using a range of materials and mediums in my sketchbook. I had been focusing on landscapes using acrylics for larger paintings, and a range of materials and mediums in my sketchbook. I have enjoyed working with inks and clear-drying PVA, creating intricate patterns where the ink would separate or bleed into the PVA- I created a few pieces by letting the PVA set to a border frame to hang them up and shine light through. My current art course has allowed me to explore using many more methods and materials to incorporate into my work. I really enjoy using unconventional materials and methods to influence the outcome of my work and the freedom of working independently. Although my education has allowed me to explore different genres of art, I haven't completely settled on one, and I look forward to exploring further with this course.

I have been to many art galleries and museums throughout my life and would use it as a key activity to help pick locations for weekends away/ daytrips. I love seeing how expansive art can be and seeing different artists' interpretations and messages. Dr James Fox, an art historian has presented many series documenting and intricately analysing different forms, eras, and intentions of art, and he does this so enthusiastically that it is difficult not to share his interest. Documentaries have helped me find and appreciate artists like Daido Moriyama, and Sesshu Toyo- Haboku-Sansui that I would have otherwise overlooked and let me search deeper into the meanings and themes of their art.

Attending and volunteering for Scouts and Girl Guiding for over 10 years has shaped me into an adaptable team worker and helped me gain confidence, allowing me to teach young children on a trip to Kenya in 2018. With guides, we each fundraised GBP2,600, and travelled with African Adventures to explore Kenya and aid a primary school in Nakuru run by a charity called The Walk Centre. Through scouts, I have completed Bronze, silver, and am finalising Gold DofE, experiencing a range of skills, volunteering, and physical activities, and pushing myself to my limits.