What Makes My Work Mine
I never really thought my work was particularly unique, even though, of course, I would like it to be.
For a long time, I was searching for “my style”. I thought maybe one day I would find it, and suddenly everything would make sense. I would know exactly what my work looks like, and I would stay within that visual world FOREVER! Haha.
But the funny thing is, the moment I started questioning it less, other people started noticing it more.
I’ve had people come up to me and say: “I saw this image and immediately knew it was yours.”
That always surprises me. Because from the inside, my work doesn’t feel like it has one clear style. It feels like it is constantly changing, and sometimes I wonder if many other artists are doing similar things.
Recently, I started experimenting more with motion in my artistic work. I’m still exploring different ways to bring movement into my images. While I’m excited about this new direction, I also find myself wondering:
Is this still my style? Does it still feel like me?
Maybe style is not something we choose. Maybe it is something that appears over time.
Looking back, certain things keep coming back in my work:
Bold and vibrant colours
Ordinary objects transformed into something unexpected
Natural elements and materials
A sense of playfulness
Personal stories or thoughts
And more recently: movement within still images
These elements seem to follow me, even when I’m experimenting.
Having a recognizable style is important, especially when working with clients. A portfolio shows people what they can expect when they collaborate with me. It gives them confidence that I can bring a certain visual language to their project.
At the same time, I don’t want my style to become a box that limits me. Experimenting is one of my favourite parts of creating. Sometimes I discover a new technique or aesthetic and realise: “This is amazing… but it’s just not me.”
For example, I would love to create a chaotic, messy image. Something full of objects and noise. But every time I try, I realize that maybe I’m not naturally drawn to that kind of chaos. Or maybe I need more practice. ;-)
The things that feel like me usually come more naturally. The colors I’m attracted to, the objects and materials I choose, the stories I want to tell.
But I also think our style is shaped by much more than the way we compose an image. It is shaped by our experiences, our memories, the places we go, the people we meet, and the things we struggle with. The way we see the world changes over time, and naturally, our way of creating changes with it.
Maybe finding your style is not about deciding what you will always do. Maybe it is about noticing what keeps returning, even while everything else changes.
Because our art is not separate from who we are. Every experience, every curiosity, and every question we carry leaves traces in our work. As we evolve, our art evolves with us.
I hope this sparked some thought. :-)
See you soon,
Rachel