Rachel O'Connell
Marbling Artist, Leatherworker and Educator
South Devon, England
Inspired by nature and architecture, using heritage craft skills to create functional, textile art for the home and to wear.
I am multi-media marbling artist and an educator, with over 30 years of marbling and textiles experience. I trained as a leatherworker over 15 years ago for upholstery projects and combined the craft of marbling on leather over a decade ago. After experiencing trauma, I switched from a corporate career and turned a hobby into a business. I became a professional marbling artist in 2020, launching my brand, ROCWORX, in 2021.
Marbling on paper and natural textiles, I create wearable art and marbled textile art for home décor. I make in small batches, with larger items made to order. Quality handcraft takes time, so if something is out of stock, I will make and ship 7 - 21 days from order.
My product range is small and includes linen cushions, lamps, silk scarves, stationery and marbling kits. My marbling kits include everything we use in my marbling workshops to successfully marble in the comfort of your own home. I have a sustainable circular design range made from marbled leather offcuts and textiles received from the Royal Opera House.
Over the past few years, I have exhibited and sold work in Manchester Art Gallery, Dulwich Picture Gallery and MAKE Southwest. I currently have work in The British Museum, as well as galleries and independent shops in Devon. In 2024 I was accepted as an Associate Member of MAKE Southwest, where they will showcase my work in July and August.
If you love a creative experience day, then you should try one of my marbling workshops. I tutor in schools, community groups, galleries and museums, such as MAKE Southwest, Weald and Downland Living Museum and at Craft Festival, Bovey Tracey and from the Autumn in my new studio in Devon.
I will also be tutoring students aged 16 - 19 years for Creative Dimensions Trust, an educational charity, at Cockpit Arts in London over the summer. I volunteer for Speakers of Schools teaching in mainstream and SEND schools and I have tutored for Arts Council National Saturday Club with students aged 13-16 years wishing to pursue a career in art.
Click here for more information about my upcoming events:
Craftworks Show, London Craft Week 15-17 May
Craft Festival, Bovey Tracey 7-9 June (Tutoring)
Handmade Oxford 21-23 June
Pull the Thread Exhibition, Brantwood Museum 27July - 7 September
Weald and Downland Living Museum, Heritage Craft Hero 13-18 August
Devon Open Studios 7 - 18 September
Created Festival 21-22 September
SHAF Arts Trail 12-26 October
Wonderworks 30 November - 1 December