I have seen some amazing outcomes over the past 5 months, including securing a really big solo exhibition in Brisbane, something I never would have foreseen happening in my first 18 months as a working artist.
Beyond that, beyond even the amazing outcomes, Rachel has been an incredible coach because she has believed in me. She has literally believed in me, and had a bigger vision for my art career than I did at the outset, and she has slowly convinced me to believe in that vision too.
Rachel’s business and marketing nous has been priceless and I don’t know what I would do without her. I will be asking her to continue coaching me, because of the value it has brought to my burgeoning career so far.”
Joanne Stead, visual artist.
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“When I came across Rachel, I was in search of advice. I had been building a portfolio of work (mostly paintings) that was increasing in size, I had been receiving some interest in my work, with some sales and a commission or two. There does come a time when paintings really should not be sitting in a cupboard anymore, but out to be seen. I started a search to try and see if there was anybody out there to help guide me. I never imagined that somebody could hit my internal brief quite as well as the information I read about Rachel.
A telephone chat with her clinched it and I could see that the Business package would be the ideal option for me. I was not disappointed. There was a well defined course content which allowed me to develop the portfolio of my work and look at how I could make progress with promoting my art.
Rachel brought some essential structure into my somewhat chaotic artistic practice. She has helped me identify what I want out of my art and where I want to see it go. As such Rachel puts order into the turbulent minds of the artist. A real focus on how to make it happen. Her understanding and knowledge of business specific to the art world, mixed with her understanding of the artist make her assistance so invaluable.
Her one to one mentoring has helped me get the bare bones of what I need to do with the options to apply the extra muscle as and when I want to my art business.
We had regular sessions held at my pace, I took my time, I was not in a rush. Rachel was happy to pace it however I wanted.
She gave me a great insight to the art world, she put focus on how to price and attract buyers, Rachel encouraged me to recognise that I have what it takes. She did not open the doors, she did much better than that, she gave me the tools to open the doors of opportunity for myself.
The investment of taking time to explore why I create, helped me to see not only what I want out of the process, but who else might want to know about it too.
Over the last year I have grown as an artist ,I have learned to invest in so much more than applying paint. I find it incredible that my creativity can find its way to provide equal pleasure to those that wish to enjoy it. Thank you Rachel for helping me to explore it all!
Zoë E Adams – Artist
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“A year ago I dreamed that I could be a painter, so I started working with 
Rachel. There were mental hurdles to be taken, but from the first session on Rachel gave me the feeling that I am an artist from the inside out. The sessions helped me to take myself and my inner dreams seriously. The support has been extremely valuable to me and led towards putting myself out there as an artist. It gave me the confidence to create this space for myself in the world and led to having a series of work, that I shared online, sold and exhibit – in just half a year time. She came in the right moment at the right time for me.
Apart from the mental growth, we worked on my vision, webpage, pricing and pre-planning my gallery show. At first, some of these topics felt uncomfortable to talk about, for example, a price, or a real website for myself. But by discussing this with Rachel – it became less awkward and more real which gave me the confidence to move forward.
Rachel gave me the feeling that everything is okay and possible by cheering me on. That the things I want to do or accomplish are not weird at all, but necessary. Like a cheerful guide along the way!” – Jorinde Olling
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Dear Rachel,I just hung up with a lovely woman and she is booking me for a wedding in October. Along with all the portraits and other pictures I did since our first meeting, that means I have achieved my financial goal!I had a look on the preliminary work I did with you and after re-reading all my goals I can now say with pride that I achieved them all: I defined my vision for my business, I had an exhibition of my work and I earned enough to sustain myself!I’m so happy to have achieved this last goal because it was the one which keeps me doubting of myself. But now I can say that I’m a grown fucking woman who lives from her photographs. Despite all the doubts, the ups and downs, I made it! I’m a “real” photographer.I wanted to share this joy with you because you always have faith in me and it means a lot for me. You helped me so much to grow my business and confidence. Hearing you, an artist too, knowing how much work it is but having faith in me, helped me to stay calm and believe in myself. I’m always thinking of your little ships coming back when I’m in doubt. I’m so happy and relieved, after being stressed about money, I can know start again to dream big and send more ships!Thank you again! <3– Delphine, photographer and artist***“Rachel was essential in helping us embrace our vision and give focus to the key aspects of our new venture. She was always encouraging, friendly and gave us perspective and orientation on both the creative and practical sides of our business.”
– Selektor, creative partnership
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“After some early success in my art career, I slowly began to feel incredibly overwhelmed with all the various avenues an artist could go down to promote themselves and finally I lost my creative drive. I really got to a point where I thought it would be easier to give it all up.
Rachel helped me to identify clear reasons as to why art is such a big part of my life and together we set goals for myself, independent of the art world and social media. In stepping back and focusing first on my creative self I was able to work through my creative blocks. After this choosing the right methods to promote my art became easy.
Since working with Rachel my work has been published in an international art magazine and I have got my creative drive back in making new work.”
-Claudia Maneka Maharaj, Artist
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“I had neglected my passions for an entire decade. My days were consumed by a monotonous office job which gave me no joy and gradually turned me into a person I barely recognised. October 2014 was my breaking point; I finally took the plunge & quit my job, which was both completely terrifying and exhilarating. There was no grand plan as to what I would do next, I only knew what I had been yearning for – to create.
When I met Rachel I was completely lost, with little to no direction, ironically I didn’t even know what I needed coaching in. As a naturally shy person I was quite bewildered as to what I would even say in my first session.
Those initial worries seem so petty now, because from the very first moment I met Rachel, the session flowed so naturally. I left my first coaching session with a simple solid goal; to apply for a pottery class. I also left with a completely new perspective; this was no longer a time of hopelessness and confusion, but rather an opportunity for exploration, to be relished.
I pinch myself when I look back on the past twelve months. There are the physical reminders of what Rachel’s guidance helped me to achieve, like my ever growing bowl collection which fills my heart with pride. There are the weekly classes I go to, those three hours a week that have transformed my world. There is my preloved and most treasured pottery wheel I recently invested in, and my current project to convert my ugly, cluttered garage into an inspiring studio space. And then there are the things in which I cannot measure, which are truly more valuable than all these things combined.
Today I am a person who is more assertive and adventurous, far more brave and content. I know that my journey has only just begun and I look forward to taking these things I’ve discovered within myself. The things which were always there, but Rachel helped to uncover, because she was so patient, kind, assuring and wise. She somehow knew the right questions to gently guide me to my true direction.
Rachel is indeed a remarkable human and an inspiring coach whom I’m eternally grateful to have met”
-Ash Davidson
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“Hello Rachel, Thank you for the info and thanks again for meeting with me, it was very empowering, uplifting, invigorating and motivating!”
– Martin, artist
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“Rachel is a wonderful coach. For starters, she is a great listener. She asks thorough questions to find out what’s really going on inside your head. Secondly, she has a lot of knowledge. Based on what you tell her, she gives tips and advice based on experience, books and articles she read. She gave me a lot of great literature recommendations to read more about the matter. After that, with asking questions she leads you in the right direction for you to form your own action plan. The action plan that suits your situation and personality best so you can reach a realistic goal. And lastly, she’s very easy to talk to and open-minded, positive and very friendly. A great coach and moreover a wonderful person.
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“The opportunity to have an art coaching session with Rachel came up as I was scrolling through my daily search on ArtConnect Berlin. Being unemployed and a bit frustrated with aspects of my art career I thought it would be worth a shot to try out a session. I had never done anything like that before- and although open to it, I have to admit that going in I was definitely skeptical.
I met Rachel at a nice little cafe for our session. The moment we introduced ourselves and started chatting, all of my prejudgements flew out the window. Speaking with her felt instantly natural, like an everyday meeting with any of my good friends. We talked about where I stood with my art- what I was satisfied with – what not, and most importantly about long and short term goals. Although I’ve talked about the same things over and over with my friends and husband – it felt much more concrete and clear talking it out with Rachel.
My short term goal ended up being to write and illustrate a short story within the next month. I felt so energized after our meeting that I was immediately fired up to start writing. I found that having the push of knowing someone was “watching” my progress really helped me stick to the task. I completed the book on time, and looking back I really don’t know if I would have done it without our coaching session.
Rachel is truly lovely to speak to, encouraging, organized and innovative.She puts herself on an equal standing, while at the same time maintains a professional demeanour. I was pleasantly surprised by our meeting, and will definitely go to her in the future! Thanks!”
Esther Samuels-Davis, artist
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”Rachel’s coaching has opened up my understanding of what could be and how to get there. AKA ‘possibility thinking’, this mindset has given me a drive to succeed and keep going. Through ongoing and simple steps, Rachel’s has improved my desire to move forward. I’m generally a positive thinker but at times when I get distracted, Rachel has encouraged me to keep painting and keep believing.
The coaching and feedback has definitely given me a positive strategy, something to aim for and a purpose and mostly a belief that this is within my grasp, very attainable, very possible. I’m a very confident artist but really I didn’t have any idea about how to get ahead in art. I welcomed Rachel’s input. Sometimes you just need a bit of guidance, a steering in the right direction by someone who sees things from a different vantage point.
I recommend Rachel’s coaching program and guidance to anyone who fits this scenario and needs breakthrough.”
Rob Ferguson, artist
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“Hi Rachel, since our coaching call, I’ve worked towards making networks with other artists to expand my exhibition experience. I currently have two future collaborations that feature local galleries. I also entered another local art prize which includes exhibiting. And I just reached my yearly goal of making Master of Photography with the AIPP. Still goals to reach. But so pleased you gave me a positive spin on chasing goals. You have made me accountable.”
– Kylie Foley, photographer
“My name is Anna Maye and I was fortunate to have received a session with Rachel Marsden two weeks ago and it was a very valuable learning and guiding experience for me as an emerging artist. During our thirty minute free session Rachel and I discussed what opportunities would best suit my practice for the coming year and how best to present my work. The most helpful piece of advice Rachel suggested was not to get attached to any of the many exciting art prospects that I have applied for as there has been no artists who has ever gotten everything they applied for as it is the nature of Art. I believe this piece of advice has helped me as an artist understand that the correct opportunities will arise and just to continue applying and not get too sensitive when one may not go the way I choose.
On a final word, I really appreciated the session with Rachel who as a creative coach has made me even more excited for the upcoming year and has strengthened my confidence even more, I would highly recommend if any artist may have any questions or concerns about their practice to have a session with Rachel Marsden.”
-Anna Maye, photographic artist
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