I think my childhood was such a diverse experience—I moved around a lot, different countries, different schools—so it was hard to always say goodbye to friends. I found myself falling in love with animated movies when I was feeling a little down or lonely. Fantasia, for example, or 101 Dalmatians—I just loved the worlds they created. I felt a part of them. In high school, I fell in love with making my own costumes, painting, designing, filming, writing—you name it. I even took part in school plays. I never limited myself creatively. Over time, I think my approach has just matured—it’s more curated now—but I’m still very much in love with the world of the arts and feel completely at home in it.

Art has always been a sanctuary for you—a safe, expressive space. What are some of your fondest childhood memories connected to art, and how has your creativity evolved over the years?

My last two years of high school, I did Higher Level Art in the International Baccalaureate and won several art awards and competitions. It really felt like I had found my place. I also had the most amazing art teacher—he nurtured my gifts and wrote me incredible recommendation letters that helped me get into every school I applied to, many with scholarships. Those two years were some of my favorites. It's when I truly discovered my passion.

Was there a specific formative experience that deeply shaped you as an artist and creative?

I always knew I wanted a creative job—I just wasn’t entirely sure what that would look like. My experience at university allowed me to explore so many areas, try new things, and learn a variety of skills. I’ve since brought them all together in what I do today.

You earned your BFA in Art, Media & Technology from Parsons The New School. Have you always known that you wanted to pursue art full time? And how did your university experience influence your vision and direction as a creative?

To be honest, I’ve always drawn in a similar way since high school—long fingers, no eyes, not focusing on the face but more on the surroundings and emotional feel of the characters. Over time, I’ve become more selective with my color palette and more fluid in my movements. My watercolor technique has also improved, but it has always remained very “me.”

How has your artistic style developed and refined over time?

Animated movies, film, theatre, costume design, fashion history, the history of women, my own stories, the stories of people I meet—I find inspiration every day from small details I observe.

Your illustrations often feel like a romantic, dreamlike world caught in a single frame—almost like stills from a film. What have been the most powerful sources of inspiration for your art and storytelling?

I love Paris. It’s a city made for artists. It welcomed me with open arms and became my playground. I feel incredibly lucky to be here and so supported by the artistic community. All my friends are some kind of creative—it’s amazing and very inspiring.

You're now based in Paris—a city that breathes art, love, and timeless beauty. How has living there influenced your artistic voice and creative lifestyle?

It’s always a pinch-me moment when brands you’ve admired and studied for years appreciate your work and trust your vision. It's one of the greatest honors. I love working with them—it pushes me creatively and allows me to interact with others. Being an artist is often solitary, so collaborating like that is a welcome change.

You’ve collaborated with iconic fashion houses like Chanel, Nina Ricci, and Lanvin, as well as the Palais Galliera Musée de la Mode in Paris. What have these collaborations taught you, and what did each experience mean for you personally and creatively?

Inspiration, Influence & The Artistic World

Oh, I have so many! I couldn’t possibly list them all—haha.

Your illustrations often celebrate women from different eras, exploring their diversity, uniqueness, and beauty. Which women—past or present—inspire you most, both in life and in art?

One big challenge is being taken seriously. Like in many fields, when you look a certain way, people make assumptions and overlook the time, energy, and talent it takes to do what I do. On the other hand, being able to live off my creativity is incredibly empowering and rewarding.

As a female artist, what have been some of the greatest challenges—and the most rewarding moments—of your journey so far?

In Ireland, the earth is celebrated—our mythology, our folklore, the pagan and druidic histories—I connect with that deeply, especially because of my family’s roots. Paris, on the other hand, brings in the theatrics, the revolutions, the fashion. I think I merge both influences to create my own world.

How do your Irish roots and your life in Paris come together in the ethereal, almost otherworldly worlds you create?

Challenges, Success &
Female Empowerment

Art helps me process emotions—it’s my release. When I did my first solo show about my journey with endometriosis, I wasn’t thinking about the impact. It was just something I needed to do to heal. But the response was overwhelming—in the best way.

When Vogue wanted to write an article about it, I was over the moon. It helped spread awareness. Once I shared my story, I realized how many girls had experienced the same thing. It made me angry at how common and ignored it is.

Sharing has helped me and others feel less alone—it created a close-knit community.

You’ve been a powerful advocate for women’s health, openly sharing your experience with endometriosis. Why was it important for you to speak publicly about this, and what impact has it had—both for you and for your audience?

So important. I think we need more spaces to celebrate creatives across fields—maybe a ceremony for independent artists from all over the world. And we need to understand that there is room for everyone. There’s no need for competition or cruelty.

How important has a strong network of women been in your personal and creative
journey? In your view, how can women better support each other—especially in creative and
entrepreneurial spaces?

The most meaningful thing is seeing how many women feel seen and heard. One young girl did her high school art thesis on me. Another traveled four hours to my group show—she said the Vogue article led to her diagnosis and now she’s getting surgery.

Stories like that stay with me. I’ve become the woman I needed when I was younger, and it’s heartwarming to know others feel that way about me too.

What are some of the most meaningful responses you’ve received from women after sharing your story? Have you seen any progress in how endometriosis and similar issues are being acknowledged publicly?

Put yourself out there. It’s scary and sometimes feels cringey, but do it anyway—you never know where it might lead. Also, work hard. Passion and talent aren’t enough. Grit, determination, and nurturing your craft are what will help you flourish. Go full speed ahead—it’s an adventure.

As you’ve said, art has been your safe space—but today, we’re seeing creative subjects being increasingly undervalued in schools and society. In a world that often forgets how much we need art, music, and beauty to truly feel alive, what advice would you give to a young woman who feels the same calling you did—to become an artist?

I think my childhood was such a diverse experience—I moved around a lot, different countries, different schools—so it was hard to always say goodbye to friends. I found myself falling in love with animated movies when I was feeling a little down or lonely. Fantasia, for example, or 101 Dalmatians—I just loved the worlds they created. I felt a part of them.

In high school, I fell in love with making my own costumes, painting, designing, filming, writing—you name it. I even took part in school plays. I never limited myself creatively. Over time, I think my approach has just matured—it’s more curated now—but I’m still very much in love with the world of the arts and feel completely at home in it.

Art has always been a sanctuary for you—a safe, expressive space. What are some of your fondest childhood memories connected to art, and how has your creativity evolved over the years?

My last two years of high school, I did Higher Level Art in the International Baccalaureate and won several art awards and competitions. It really felt like I had found my place. I also had the most amazing art teacher—he nurtured my gifts and wrote me incredible recommendation letters that helped me get into every school I applied to, many with scholarships. Those two years were some of my favorites. It's when I truly discovered my passion.

Was there a specific formative experience that deeply shaped you as an artist and creative?

I always knew I wanted a creative job—I just wasn’t entirely sure what that would look like. My experience at university allowed me to explore so many areas, try new things, and learn a variety of skills. I’ve since brought them all together in what I do today.

You earned your BFA in Art, Media & Technology from Parsons The New School. Have you always known that you wanted to pursue art full-time? How did your university experience influence your vision and direction as a creative?

To be honest, I’ve always drawn in a similar way since high school—long fingers, no eyes, not focusing on the face but more on the surroundings and emotional feel of the characters. Over time, I’ve become more selective with my color palette and more fluid in my movements. My watercolor technique has also improved, but it has always remained very “me.”

How has your artistic style developed and refined over time?

Inspiration, Influence & The Artistic World

Animated movies, film, theatre, costume design, fashion history, the history of women, my own stories, the stories of people I meet—I find inspiration every day from small details I observe.

Your illustrations often feel like a romantic, dreamlike world caught in a single frame—almost like stills from a film. What have been the most powerful sources of inspiration for your art and storytelling?

I love Paris. It’s a city made for artists. It welcomed me with open arms and became my playground. I feel incredibly lucky to be here and so supported by the artistic community. All my friends are some kind of creative—it’s amazing and very inspiring.

You’re now based in Paris—a city that breathes art, love, and timeless beauty. How has living there influenced your artistic voice and creative lifestyle?

It’s always a pinch-me moment when brands you’ve admired and studied for years appreciate your work and trust your vision. It's one of the greatest honors. I love working with them—it pushes me creatively and allows me to interact with others. Being an artist is often solitary, so collaborating like that is a welcome change.

You’ve collaborated with iconic fashion houses like Chanel, Nina Ricci, and Lanvin, as well as the Palais Galliera Musée de la Mode. What have these collaborations taught you?

Challenges,
Success & Female Empowerment

Oh, I have so many! I couldn’t possibly list them all—haha.

How do your Irish roots and life in Paris come together in the ethereal, otherworldly worlds you create?

In Ireland, the earth is celebrated—our mythology, our folklore, the pagan and druidic histories—I connect with that deeply, especially because of my family’s roots. Paris, on the other hand, brings in the theatrics, the revolutions, the fashion. I think I merge both influences to create my own world.

Your illustrations often celebrate women from different eras. Which women—past or present—inspire you most, in life and in art?

One big challenge is being taken seriously. Like in many fields, when you look a certain way, people make assumptions and overlook the time, energy, and talent it takes to do what I do. On the other hand, being able to live off my creativity is incredibly empowering and rewarding.

As a female artist, what have been some of your greatest challenges—and most rewarding moments—so far?

You’ve been a powerful advocate for women’s health, openly sharing your experience with endometriosis. Why was it important to speak publicly, and what impact has it had?

Art helps me process emotions—it’s my release. When I did my first solo show about my journey with endometriosis, I wasn’t thinking about the impact. It was just something I needed to do to heal. But the response was overwhelming—in the best way. When Vogue wanted to write an article about it, I was over the moon. It helped spread awareness. Once I shared my story, I realized how many girls had experienced the same thing. It made me angry at how common and ignored it is. Sharing has helped me and others feel less alone—it created a close-knit community.

What are some of the most meaningful responses you’ve received from women after sharing your story? Have you seen any progress in public acknowledgment of endometriosis?

The most meaningful thing is seeing how many women feel seen and heard. One young girl did her high school art thesis on me. Another traveled four hours to my group show—she said the Vogue article led to her diagnosis and now she’s getting surgery. Stories like that stay with me. I’ve become the woman I needed when I was younger, and it’s heartwarming to know others feel that way about me too.

Well-Being, Creativity & Looking Ahead

How important has a strong network of women been in your personal and creative journey? What can women do to better support each other in creative spaces?

So important. I think we need more spaces to celebrate creatives across fields—maybe a ceremony for independent artists from all over the world. And we need to understand that there is room for everyone. There’s no need for competition or cruelty.

Who are the women who’ve shaped your life?

My mum—she’s an absolute legend. Also, my sister. And many others for different reasons. I had a therapist in Norway who helped me realize my worth—she was like a guardian angel.

How do you nurture your creativity, protect your well-being, and stay inspired while balancing the demands of being a professional artist?

I truly love what I do, so I’m rarely uninspired. But it’s important to take real breaks—actual weeks off, no tools, no emails. Creative work demands a unique kind of energy, and you need to let your creative well refill. If you over-push yourself, you’ll burn out. Set boundaries, explore, rest—then let it flow.

          achelle Cunningham is an Irish-born                  artist and illustrator based in Paris. Her dreamy watercolor works are known for their delicate movement, soft color palettes, and the way they seamlessly blend classical and romantic influences with her Irish heritage. Often inspired by emotion and storytelling, her art has a timeless, almost ethereal quality.

Alongside her creative practice, Rachelle is a strong advocate for women’s health, using her platform to speak openly about living with endometriosis—helping to break the silence around a condition that affects many but is still rarely discussed.

Her work has caught the attention of major fashion houses such as Chanel, Nina Ricci, and Lanvin. She has also collaborated with the Palais Galliera Musée de la Mode in Paris. Through both her art and her voice, Rachelle continues to inspire and connect with women around the world.

R

Creativity & Artistic Journey

Challenges, Success &
Female Empowerment

I truly love what I do, so I’m rarely uninspired. But it’s important to take real breaks—actual weeks off, no tools, no emails. Creative work demands a unique kind of energy, and you need to let your creative well refill. If you over-push yourself, you’ll burn out. Set boundaries, explore, rest—then let it flow

Turning a passion into a career can sometimes dim the very spark that made you fall in love with it. How do you nurture your creativity, protect your personal well-being, and stay inspired while balancing the demands of being a professional artist?

Well-Being, Creativity & Looking Ahead

I’ll be hosting online courses and in-person workshops first—so stay tuned! You can sign up for updates on my website:  www.rachellecunningham.com .

You’re hosting the House of Amaranthine retreat in the French countryside—a gathering for women centered around creativity and connection. What inspired you to create this space for women, and what are you hoping to cultivate through it?

So many—haha! You’ll just have to wait and see.

Find Rachelle on Instagram: @rachellecunningham

Finally, as you look to the future—what dreams, projects, or ideas are still waiting to be brought to life?

Creativity &
Artistic Journey

Today, creative subjects are often undervalued in schools and society. What advice would you give to a young woman who dreams of becoming an artist?

Put yourself out there. It’s scary and sometimes feels cringey, but do it anyway—you never know where it might lead. Also, work hard. Passion and talent aren’t enough. Grit, determination, and nurturing your craft are what will help you flourish. Go full speed ahead—it’s an adventure.

You’re hosting the House of Amaranthine retreat in the French countryside—a gathering for women centered around creativity and connection. What inspired this?

I’ll be hosting online courses and in-person workshops first—so stay tuned! You can sign up for updates on my website: www.rachellecunningham.com

Finally, as you look to the future—what dreams, projects, or ideas are still waiting to be brought to life?

So many—haha! You’ll just have to wait and see.

Find Rachelle on Instagram: @rachellecunning