Rachael Johnson

Rachael is a Bristol-based artist working with acrylic paint and handmade collage. Her recent work focuses on abstract depictions of boats, drawing on childhood memories of growing up in Cornwall by the river Fowey.

Much of her inspiration comes from time spent in her father’s boat workshop, where she helped sand, paint, and varnish wooden boats. That experience — of restoring worn surfaces and uncovering the layers beneath — continues to influence her approach to painting today.

Rachael uses collage to build textured surfaces that reflect the aged appearance of boats exposed to weather and time. She’s particularly drawn to the contrast between fresh paint and faded, worn areas, and often includes bright pops of colour inspired by buoys and working harbours. Her paintings reflect this balance — between repair and decay, concealment and exposure — with each piece carrying visible traces of history and use.