Photo by Andrew Wilson

Photo by Andrew Wilson

I’m a storyteller, illustrator, visual communication designer, and passionate about helping you bring your story to life through illustration.

 

Hi, I am Rachel! I am based in Australia, between Hobart in Tasmania and Brisbane in Queensland.

My story starts in a small village in the French countryside. I grew up riding my bicycle in the woods around our town, searching for the monsters and magical creatures that existed in my imagination. I’d often get distracted observing the ant-colonies at war in my backyard or making friends with the local snails; they were convinced that all I wanted to do was to eat them.

I found a love for drawing on my adventures. I wanted to capture the magic that I found in nature and the imaginings of my dreams. It was a way for me to connect and communicate with like-minded people. That’s still as true today as it was then.

I studied illustration at Emile Cohl Art School in Lyon and visual communication at Cours Bessil, Montpellier before packing my bags to travel the world in 2005. 

The creative process and communicating through illustration and design, fill me with purpose, and I’ve spent every day since learning my craft. I’ve travelled the world and enjoyed some fantastic adventures. I’ve learned to observe, think, design and create, and develop my unique visual storytelling approach. 

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The illustrating nomad!

It’s true, you can work from anywhere, and my travels have enabled me to live and work throughout Europe, Australia, China, Japan and the USA. I’ve worked with some awesome companies like Futago, CSIRO Publishing, and The State Library of Queensland, studied graphic design in Tasmania and toured as a live drawing artist with the Terrapin Puppet Theatre on a show called You and Me and the Space Between. 

After spending the last thirteen years immersed in and working with the arts community in Tasmania, I’m now based between Hobart and Brisbane, Australia; it’s the best of both worlds.

I’m naturally curious, and with a passionate interest in psychology, I immerse myself in books and podcasts on the subject. Understanding a person’s story, background and “why” helps me incorporate the human-centred design essential in the creative process. 

I love storytelling, creating unique visuals and the collaborative and communicative process involved. I want to bring fun, colour and joy into people’s projects and their lives. I value humour, kindness, compassion, hard work and accountability. 

I can’t imagine my life doing anything other than creating, and I would love to help you tell your story.

 
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Creating Captain Blueberry

My creative journey also led me to Captain Blueberry. A mighty French Sailor who travels across the ocean, discovering unknown sea monsters and other monstrous dangers. Capt. B sounds a little like me!

I’ve written, illustrated and published two books in the series – The Monsters of Tasmania and The Journey of Admiral Bolognaise. These books have allowed me to connect with a young audience. I regularly get invited to do book readings at schools and run monster presentation workshops for the Captain’s fans.

I still get a thrill when I see my books in bookstores and libraries, and I’m busy cooking up the next Captain Blueberry adventure.

 
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A little bit more

When I’m not working I get a kick out of riding motorbikes. I love swimming in the ocean, snorkelling and free diving. You’ll still find me exploring nature’s treasures, going on road trips and indulging in cheese and chocolate whenever I can.

Other things I have done:

Awards

  • 2022 Whitley Commendation Award for Children’s Investigative Zoology for Poo, Spew, Gross Things Animals Do

  • ACT Notable Children’s 2020 Big Press award for Hold on! Saving the Spotted Handfish

  • 2021 CBCA Shorlist, Eve Pownall for Hold on! Saving the Spotted Handfish

  • 2021 Wilderness Society Awards Shortlist, in the non-fiction category for Hold on! Saving the Spotted Handfish

  • 2021 Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year awards Shortlist, Birth to 3 years age group for One Remarkable Reef

Published Books:

  • llustrator & designer: Cheer up, Blobfish! \\ Affirm Press \\ Julie Murphy \\ 2024

  • llustrator: Lawless Ladies \\ Five Miles Press \\ Angela Buckingham \\ 2022

  • llustrator & designer: The Calling of Jackdaw Hollow \\ University of Queensland Press \\ Kate Gordon \\ 2022

  • Illustrator & designer: Poo, Spew, Gross Things Animals Do \\ CSIRO Publishing \\ Nic Gill, Romane Cristescu \\ 2022

  • Illustrator & designer: The Ballad of Melodie Rose \\ University of Queensland Press \\ Kate Gordon \\ 2021

  • Illustrator: Amazed! Csiro’s A to Z of Biodiversity \\ CSIRO Publishing \\ Andrea Wild \\ 2021

  • Illustrator & designer: One Remarkable Reef \\ State Library of Queensland \\ Kellie Byrnes \\ 2020

  • Illustrator & designer: The Heartsong of Wonder Quinn \\ University of Queensland Press \\ Kate Gordon \\ 2020

  • Illustrator & designer: Hold on! Saving the Spotted Handfish \\ CSIRO Publishing \\ Gina Newton \\ 2020

  • Illustrator & designer: There’s No Such Place as Away \\ Foodweb Education \\ Megan Floris \\ 2020

  • Illustrator & designer: Katie and the Blankie \\ For the Love of Reading \\ Jen Fitzgibbon \\ 2018

  • Illustrator: The Balfour Correspondent \\ Bob Brown Foundation \\ James Dryburgh \\ 2017

  • Illustrator & designer: Katie and the Red Rubber Ball \\ For the Love of Reading \\ Jen Fitzgibbon \\ 2017

  • Author, Illustrator & designer: The Journey of Admiral Bolognaise \\ Rachel Tribout & Daniel Patman \\ 2016

  • Illustrator & designer: A guide to the plants of Tasmanian saltmarsh wetlands \\ UTAS & NRM North \\ Vishnu Prahalad \\ 2014

  • Author, Illustrator & designer: The Monsters of Tasmania \\ Rachel Tribout & Daniel Patman \\ 2014

  • Illustrator & designer: Landing on Snow \\ Firedoor Press \\ Claire Jansen \\ 2011