Meet the Artist: Rachel Brooks

Tell us a bit about yourself, your hobbies, your passions

I'm Rachel Brooks, I'm an internationally selling wildlife artist and scientific illustrator based in the Scottish Highlands. My work is inspired by my background in Zoology, wildlife guiding and scuba instructing. I have spent most of the last decade beneath or on the water, it's my greatest passion and I love being able to share the wonders of the ocean through my art. 

Tell us about this design you made for Nakie.

The style of my artwork selected for this design celebrates how marine megafauna is connected to the greater ecosystem. These ocean giants all play such an important role in maintaining the healthy oceans depicted within their silhouettes. We picked three of our favourite charismatic species for this design, the humpback whale, manta ray and whale shark. I draw everything freehand in ink first and the background of the design is hand painted in watercolour, all brought together digitally.

What inspires you to create your Art?

As a scuba instructor and wildlife guide I was able to connect with people from all over the world, introducing them to new species and engaging in conversations about our natural world and its conservation. Being able to continue to do this through my art is my greatest motivation to create. All of my marine adventures from the Indo-Pacific to my temperate waters of the Scottish coast have inspired my work, there's so many fascinating species to portray that the ocean never leaves you short on inspiration.

Describe your ultimate adventure.

The very top of my bucket list is to visit the Galapagos, as a zoologist it feels almost like a pilgrimage! Diving their with schooling hammerheads, and marine iguanas would be a dream come true, not to mention all the incredible species that can be seen on the land. 

If you were stuck on a deserted island, which Nakie product would you bring?

Is it cheating to pick the hammock and bug net combo?