Racheal Anilyse

I would like to take a moment and talk about my dear friend Racheal. I met her in Hartford Art School during my studies and we had been in close contact via writting old school (20 page) letters to each other and of course the internet. Racheal passed away on November 18th.

I don't have the perfect words to explain and describe what an honor and inspiration it has been to me to have crossed paths with her. Racheal was an incredible friend, artist, supporter and teacher to me.. She is going to be so greatly missed.

Racheal always send me Cds with music which are all stacked on my desk in my studio, ready to rock out to when I need it. She always had kind, constructive criticism or a lovely witty comment up her sleeve when it came to my art work. Racheal founded Underground Art School website and magazine, trying to fill in the knowledge gap between artschool and the real world. As so many of us she graduated with an incredible set of skills and talent but realized (as everyone else) that we never did learn how to survive with these skills in the harsh reality of life. So she decided to take matters in her own hands and don't just learn for herself but to share the knowledge with everyone who would listen and be interested.

Pretty much anything Racheal put her mind to she made possible against all odds. She wanted to be a children's book illustrator so she put all her time and energy into figuring out how to make that happen! Check out her beautiful illustrations! http://rachealanilyse.com/

One of many inspiring things Racheal did was motivate Fiona and I into a doodle competition, the doodle off. So for a few years we put on intense drawing competitions over a certain period of weeks, the winner in the end was the doodle master but most of all it motivated all of us to draw every day, improve our skills and to explore new ways of drawing.

In honor of Racheal, Fiona decided to create Daily Doodlez where anyone who would like to participate can add a doodle (drawing, sketch) a day for one year. At the end of the year we will put together a zine or a book with the best works in it, in honor of Racheal, the proceeds will go to the Racheal Anilyse Art Initiative. If you would like to contribute or participate please get in touch with me or Fiona.

I am so honored to have had you as my friend Racheal and I hope you know you will live on in so many hearts around the world!

(All images in this post are copyrighted Racheal Anilyse)