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About

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About 

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At the end of 2022 Rachel made the decision to focus solely on growing Let's Create, leaving her employed work and career of over two decades in Visual Merchandising to welcome more children and expand her offer to include other age groups. In early 2023 Rachel completed a 90 hour course to become a certified Creative Mindfulness Practitioner and now offers these sessions to schools and individuals. 

 Rachel graduated with a Higher National Diploma in Fine Art Drawing from Swindon College of Art and Design in 2001, having previously completed a G.N.V.Q in Art and Design in 1999. In recent years Rachel began taking on people and pet portrait commissions, working in graphite and watercolour. She has also completed a number of short mindfulness art courses in 2020 which compliment her clubs and camps and inspired her desire to search out and enrol in the Creative Mindfulness course.

 

Qualifications;

Creative Mindfulness ltd: Creative Mindfulness Practitioner

Renaissance Life Therapies: CPD Arts Therapy - A students perspective, self healing, self exploration, how to use Arts Therapy

Designated Safeguard Lead for Let's Create Art Club Ltd

Tiger Lily Training - Paediatric First Aid

Swindon College of Art and Design: Higher National Diploma - Fine Art Drawing. GNVQ Art and Design

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Being creative, drawing and writing have always been a love of mine since a child and as soon as I started working in retail at 15 I took on the most creative aspect - merchandising and window displays. This was to be the start of what turned into a 25 year career in VM as a VM Manager, industry editorial writer and VM Consultant.

In my mid to late 20's I was illustrating children's names and wrote personalised poems for others to gift, it was always so lovely hearing their loved ones responses and to be told of the many happy tears shed, I think my most unusual poem was a proposal - thankfully it was well received and she said yes!

Working full time and Mum to x3 children, has meant unfortunately years at a time have gone by without picking up my pencils. 2020's silver lining was having the time to create. To re-focus on what I enjoy, start doing more of it and ultimately, look at how I could help others do the same. In the January of 2020 I began offering an after school art club at my children's school for x15 children simply because I was looking for a creative outlet and finished earlier that day because the school did, I never thought at the time it would become what it is today!

It has been an absolute joy to have welcomed 1000's of children in to Let's Create Art Club, to see their faces light up with pride and listen to their funny imaginative stories that narrate their creations. Currently we have x 250 little artists each week and I am so looking forward to being able to welcome many more.. see you soon!

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Commissioning your portrait

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I can accept bookings via email, my social media accounts or here via my website, where we can discuss the finer details regarding your chosen photo and size etc. All available sizes and prices can be found in the 'Rachel Bray' page though I will happily discuss this and other options with you. To secure your commission I require a minimum 50% deposit (non-refundable) which will be processed here and which will be taken off your total. The remaining balance is to be paid on completion (you will receive photo confirmation) and before collection or shipping. I will be able to give you an idea on wait time and will always do my best to meet any deadlines regarding birthdays and anniversaries.

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Reference Photos

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In order to create the best quality portraits and to capture as much detail as possible, I require high quality, clear photos. I will endeavor to work with your favourite/ chosen image so please bear the quality in mind when selecting, I will also provide advice if I don't feel the image is suitable. Photos are to be sent via email where possible as this helps retain the quality but I will accept them over other messaging services if it isn't possible.

I will let you know I have started on your portrait and send you an image of its initial stages and will communicate with you if need be, around finer details such as collars or shadow for example - please bear in mind I replicate photos and this includes shadows. 

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