The Artist

Rachel’s interest in art is inseparable from her love of the natural world.   Her paintings and illustrations, often focusing on a single object, animal, or plant, reflect her passion of integrating art into science.  With a style that playfully twists realism, exposing the subtle curves, inner colors, hidden lights and shadows of her subjects, Rachel masterfully illustrates the essence of nature itself. 

    Having received an advanced certification from the University of Washington in Natural Science Illustration, Rachel takes her art extremely seriously and works professionally as a freelance illustrator through a variety of mediums.  Rachel’s ability to accurately render animals and plants comes from her strenuous training in Botanical, Zoological, Wildlife, and Vertebrate illustration.  Having an underlying knowledge of muscle movement, bone structure, feather and venation patterns and mathematical biological structures, combined with her natural artistic ability, Rachel seems to transcend the line between science and art. 

    In relation to color and style, there is no real secret behind the “classic” look of Rachel’s illustrations.  Utilizing a combination of very traditional methods of scientific illustration, such as carbon dust, watercolor, graphite, colored pencil, and pen and ink, Rachel enjoys playing with the understated beauty of simple materials and mediums. 

Rachel J.E. Sprague is a professional Scientific Illustrator, and an active member of the fine arts community in Seattle, WA.  In all of Rachel’s work there is a common reflection of her profound love for the natural world.  

Areas of expertise

*Zoological Illustration

*Vertebrate Illustration 

*Wildlife Illustration

*Botanical Illustration

Look for Rachel’s artwork and greeting cards for sale at Finch and Sparrow and Magus Books in Seattle, WA.  Also, look for her Alaska Icon illustrations in the 2010 Gray Line of Alaska Catalog. 

RachelJeSprague@gmail.com