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

 

Hi, I’m Rachel! I am based in Australia where I split my time between Hobart, Tasmania, and Brisbane, Queensland.

My journey began in a small village in the French countryside, where I spent my days riding my bicycle through the woods. I loved being in nature and 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. These adventures sparked my love for drawing. Capturing the magic of nature and my dreams allowed me to connect with like-minded people, a passion that remains today.

I studied illustration at Emile Cohl Art School in Lyon and visual communication at Cours Bessil, Montpellier. In 2005, I packed my bags and traveled the world, continuously honing my craft.

My creative process and passion for visual storytelling give me purpose, and I’ve enjoyed fantastic adventures while learning to observe, think, design, and create.

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The illustrating nomad!

It's true, you can work from anywhere! My travels have taken me across Europe, Australia, China, Japan, and the USA. I've had the pleasure of working with amazing organisations like CSIRO, Affirm Press, or The State Library of Queensland to name a few. I even toured as a live drawing artist with the Terrapin Puppet Theatre's show, You and Me and the Space Between. After thirteen years in Tasmania's arts community, I'm now based between Hobart and Brisbane, enjoying the best of both worlds.

I’m naturally curious and have a passionate interest in psychology, often diving into books and podcasts on the subject. Understanding people's stories and backgrounds helps me incorporate human-centred design into my creative process.

I love storytelling, creating unique visuals, and the collaborative process. My goal is to bring fun, color, and joy to projects and lives. I value humor, kindness, compassion, hard work, and accountability.

Creating is my passion, and I would love to help you tell your story.

 
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Creating Captain Blueberry

My creative journey also led me to create Captain Blueberry, a mighty French sailor who discovers unknown sea monsters and other 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 young audiences. I regularly do book readings at schools and run monster presentation workshops for Captain Blueberry'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