During this years’ 3daysofdesign, St. Leo presents three distinct wall textures through a fine art collaboration with NYC-based painter Rachel Mishael, debuting at The Audo. In this exclusive art commission a series of three, handmade and original ‘Texture Studies’ paintings celebrates the tactility and sustainability of St. Leo’s Dolomite Plaster, Marble Paint and Original Pigments products in a tonal colour spectrum.
In advance of the exhibition opening, we took a look behind the scenes as Mishael explored the three St. Leo textures at her Danish summerhouse, and hear the artist explain her process.
ST. LEO: What is your background and how have you come to be a painter?
RACHEL MISHAEL: I was born and raised in NYC. I explored many forms of creativity growing up, but it wasn’t until my university days that I discovered a passion for painting, in a very unconventional way. You see, I have lived most of my life with mental health issues, especially OCD and anxiety. I discovered painting at a time when I was particularly unwell and it was like my medicine. I was captured by the stream of focus, spontaneity, excitement, pride, and satisfaction that comes with my process. For me it is meditative, it is my way of finding peace and calm in my over-active mind. I fully committed to my art practice when I realized it is what I need to be happy. Before this professional shift, I spent my early career as a journalist painting only in my free time. My background in journalism has greatly informed my practice in a conceptual way. Much of my work speaks to major issues of our time. Right now my focus is on climate related issues and I hope my work inspires an appreciation of our natural environment.
SL: Please tell us about your practice.
RM: I am a contemporary abstract eco-artist based in New York City and Copenhagen. My conceptual and emotion-driven work explores themes of nature, health, social equity, and capitalism. My style reflects the blending of nature with minimalist design.
SL: What are the main elements of your work?
RM: My work is focused on finding unique connections between raw textures, earth pigments and natural materials.
SL: What is your process from concept to realisation?
RM: My emotion-driven process is very free and spontaneous. Sometimes I intend to carry out a vision or idea that has struck me, other times I just put paint to surface and follow what feels good. I let the materials guide me to find the textures and marks that most excite me. I also like to set the mood in my studio with lighting, music, aromas and an open heart.
SL: Where do you draw inspiration?
RM: I am inspired by the raw, natural materials I work with, borrowed from earth in a harmonious way. I am inspired by light, shadow and texture. I am inspired by the interaction of nature and minimalist design.
SL: What is the concept behind this collaboration?
RM: As many of us are spending more time inside, it is important that we seek connection with the natural world. This collaboration comes from a mutual desire to highlight the breathtaking beauty of raw materials and exhibit how their thoughtful presence in our spaces evokes a sense of tranquility among the observer. These works aim to bring a sense of nature indoors.
SL: What interests you about texture?
RM: From ridges on a sandy beach to the weathered down stone of an old building, I’m fascinated by the unpredictability of natural textures, their imperfect patterns and unique formations. I’m captivated by the way light and shadow dance across the peaks and slopes of raised texture.
SL: Describe the process of creating the ‘Texture Studies’ Paintings.
RM: I began my process with a visit to The Audo to study the spatial layout, lighting, materials and mood. Then I returned to Gilleleje and Hornbæk for sunny seaside strolls, where I studied natural textures in the sand, waves and stones. I considered how I would blend and emphasize the materials so they would carry a sense of these environments. ‘Texture Studies’ was created in harmony with my surroundings, under the warm sunlight, between the sea and forest. I set a loose intention for my practice and then I danced around with my tools, following my intuition with each choice I made. This work was developed over the course of several sunny weeks, with countless layers across different sections to create history and depth. The textures are informed by those around me, inviting light and shadow to make their own interpretations. The results appear as a relaxed wearing of time.
SL: How have you worked with the materials and colours in the collection?
RM: Each of the St. Leo plaster or paint materials used in this collection have a direct connection with nature. The works begin with a base of sustainable wooden boards and build up many layers of St. Leo products, which are comprised of such elements as marble, ash and pigment. I was so pleased with how effortlessly St. Leo’s plaster and paints followed whatever form I pursued, from soft, sweeping strokes to rigid, sharp textures and everything in between. I layered gradually from dark to light, beginning with a base of Århusgade, followed by Rue Loubet and topped with Herluf Trolles Gade and Via Aurelia at the surface. This approach was inspired by the natural earth textures around me, which are darker below a sun-kissed surface.
To see the ‘Texture Studies’ collection, please visit stleointeriors.com/projects.
About Rachel Mishael:
Rachel Mishael is an abstract eco-artist based in New York City and Copenhagen. Rachel’s conceptual and emotion-driven work explores themes of nature, health, social equity and capitalism. Her style reflects the blending of nature with minimalist design. After several years of working with acrylic, cement, spray and other toxic art materials, Rachel learned about the harmful impact these conventional materials had on her health and the environment. When she began a search for alternative options in 2020, she was introduced to the small but growing eco-art community and has since dedicated the future of her practice to earth-friendly materials.
rachelmishaelstudio.com
The St. Leo team welcomes guests to discover the ‘Texture Studies’ artworks alongside our full collection, on display at Room 2 of The Audo from September 16-18.
Photography by Værnis Studio.