Rachel Deacon was born in 1969. She studied contemporary art at Chelsea School of Art graduating in 1991. Since then she has become a very successful artist with a very singular and recognisable style.
Rachel Deacon begins her contemporary paintings with a carefully selected narrative, a short story, poem or extract from a novel from which she draws inspiration. Deacon's resultant painting is not illustrative of that text but echoes the suggestion or idea through a series of drawings before painting the final image.
Rachel Deacon focus is mainly on the female figure. Shapes and contours of the body are used to create paintings with a strong composition, coupled with rich colours, shadow and an ambience of light. She creates paintings which relate back to the classical masters, although the women in her paintings are dressed in clothes drawn from 1920s to post-war.
Talking about her paintings Rachel Deacon says "I try to keep the era in the painting ambiguous. However I do love the style of the 1940's. The design of textiles, the clothing and even hairstyles reflect softness and strength in equal measure. I feel delighted by detail in everyday life and try to reflect this in my paintings."
Women in Rachel Deacon paintings are self assured and provocative and convey an inner strength often suggested within the text. Rachel Deacon contemporary paintings communicate a sense of narrative within them, a moment in time taken from a larger picture, and are thoughtful or seductive. They communicate a quiet dignity and timeless quality.
Rachel Deacon's distinctive style of painting has created enormous interest. Prints of her paintings have been published worldwide by the Art Group and CCA Galleries. Today Rachel Deacon has paintings with an extensive number of art collectors and has undertaken a number of art commissions for large corporate companies and private clients.
In addition to Red rag Gallery Rachel Deacon has exhibited her paintings extensively in the UK and internationally. Her distinct style of art work has grown enormously in popularity and can be found in art collections worldwide.
