Meet Rachel Rothwell

Rachel has a lovely collection of postcards suitable for every occasion so it was great to touch in with her to find out more about what inspires her art.

From the fields of Co. Wexford to the vibrant streets of Milan, Rachel Rothwell has travelled far, both geographically and creatively.

An artist, illustrator and mediator, Rachel currently calls Milan home. The move from rural Ireland to one of Europe’s cultural capitals is quite the change, but Rachel has always loved to explore new places and she loves the buzz of the city. Surrounded by art, architecture and energy, she has found fresh fuel for her imagination.

Travel and nature are at the heart of everything she creates. Rachel produces playful, planet-loving doodles using a mix of inks, found materials and digital tools. Her work is joyful but purposeful.

Finding Nature in Unexpected Places

Rachel draws inspiration from her immediate surroundings, and often with a hint of humour. She delights in spotting unlikely pairings and funny everyday moments that most of us would walk past.

She is currently exploring the theme of nature in urban spaces:

“We have this idea of cities as big grey blocks, but there is nature hiding everywhere. It’s so exciting to see plants breaking the ‘rules’, like dandelions pushing through cracks in the concrete, or ivy finding space in an old wall.”

Her work invites us to pause and notice the resilience of the natural world, even in the most built-up environments.

Artists who experiment with texture and blend traditional and digital techniques inspire her and she enjoys the aesthetic of like Tome Froese and Angela Smyth too.

Why Post Still Matters

Rachel believes in the enduring presence of postal greetings.

“Any time I get a postcard or letter, it feels so special. I end up smiling the whole afternoon and coming back to read them again and again. Taking the time to send someone a physical greeting sends a really lovely message about how much you care.”

In a world that moves at lightning speed, those tangible moments of connection feel even more meaningful. A card arrives quietly. It waits patiently on a table. It can be picked up, re-read, tucked away, and rediscovered years later.  That permanence matters.

Rachel’s most treasured postal memory dates back to her Erasmus year in France.

While she loved the adventure, it was also a time of big adjustment. Learning a new language and settling into a new country can be exhilarating but also exhausting. Social media was newly emerging, and seeing friends tagged in photos back home made the distance harder.  Then a package arrived.  Inside were little notes from her college friends.  “My heart glowed. I was so glad to know they were thinking of me. It gave me a real boost. A WhatsApp message wouldn’t have had the same impact at all.”

And that is the quiet power of post. Yes it might take a little more effort. And that's why it is more likely to be cherished. View Rachel's postcards here.