Capturing the fleeting beauty of flowers
An artist’s life is not easy. Vincent Van Gogh only sold one painting in his lifetime, but now his paintings of irises, sunflowers, and cypress trees are some of the most recognizable images in the art world.
With their child’s future in mind, parents often tell their artistically inclined children to take a business course at university so they can have something to fall back on. As the dutiful daughter, Rachell Ann Morada followed her parents’ advice and enrolled in an accountancy course. She graduated and began to help support her family, but a creative life continued to beckon to her.
“I discovered my love for art when I was in kindergarten. I was fond of drawing girls and anime characters,” Rachell recalled. She experimented with other visual art forms like calligraphy, portraits, and watercolors but always returned to drawing.
She devoted her time to drawing flowers and making floral line drawings. In 2021, she began using acrylic paint and colors that enlivened her flowers on the canvas. “Now I can say I’m a painter who paints flowers for people’s homes,” she mused.
On her 30th birthday earlier this year, Rachell knew that she wanted to focus on creating art, even if not everyone could appreciate the art she made.
“I’m at a point in my life where I’m trying to live my life not on people’s expectations. Slowly, I’m gaining the courage to pursue things I truly love—including painting—while also trying to live a purposeful and meaningful life. I believe it’s God’s perfect time for me,” she said.
On her Instagram (rachelience_art), Rachell posts short clips of herself at work. With her back to the camera, she paints masses of flowers on large canvases—blooms of roses, daffodils, hydrangeas, daisies, and spider mums arranged in blue and white china, clear glass vases, and milky blue jars.
Rachell finds that painting is therapeutic and healing. It allows her to slow down, be present in the moment, and quiet her mind.
“I was a perfectionist, but painting taught me that every brush stroke doesn’t have to be perfect; it just has to be free. It allows me to love the imperfections. It’s okay to make mistakes—sometimes they’re even the ones that enhance the painting.”
Her paintings have a naïf-like quality and might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but Rachell has made peace with the fact that she won’t be able to please everybody.
In an IG post, she shared what her mother told her. “You don’t need hundreds of friends or many people showing you love. If at least one soul loves you, that is enough to appreciate.”
RLC’s Roseann Villegas saw Rachell’s potential and asked if she wanted to stage her first solo exhibit at ARTablado at Robinsons Galleria.
A solo exhibit did not figure in Rachell’s plans. She only wanted to paint, share her art, and serve others through this gift. “When I read Ms. Roseann’s message, I felt like the universe conspired for me. I’m so grateful for ARTablado’s support for new artists like me,” she said.
Rachell’s paintings are now on view in her first solo exhibit, “Life in Bloom.” She chose this title because she believes her life is robust and alive. She said, “I always see the blessings in my life, whatever season it is. Like flowers, we all bloom differently.”
“It takes courage to be an artist. Sometimes you get the support you need, but sometimes you don’t,” she said.
“Life in Bloom” is on view at ARTablado at Robinsons Galleria from May 16 to May 31.
