I’m a storyteller, illustrator, visual communication designer, and passionate about helping you bring your story to life through illustration.

 

Hi, I’m Rachel! I’m an illustrator and designer based in Australia, splitting my time between Hobart and Brisbane.

I grew up in a small village in the French countryside, where I spent most of my time outside, riding my bike through the woods, watching ants battle it out in the garden, and trying to convince snails I wasn’t planning to eat them. That love of nature and imagination got me into drawing, and I’ve been telling stories through pictures ever since.

I studied illustration in Lyon and visual communication in Montpellier, then packed my bags in 2005 to travel and work around the world. Along the way, I’ve built a creative practice that’s all about observation, storytelling, and craft. Whether I’m designing, illustrating, or thinking through ideas, I love creating visuals that help people connect.

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The illustrating nomad!

It’s true, you really can work from anywhere! My work has taken me across Europe, Australia, China, Japan, and the US. Along the way, I’ve collaborated with wonderful organisations like CSIRO, Affirm Press, and the State Library of Queensland. I even toured as a live-drawing artist with Terrapin Puppet Theatre’s You and Me and the Space Between. After 13 years in Tasmania’s arts scene, I now split my time between Hobart and Brisbane and love having the best of both worlds.

I’m naturally curious and endlessly interested in people, especially what makes them tick. I often dive into books and podcasts about psychology, and that fascination feeds into my human-centred approach to design and storytelling.

I love bringing stories to life through illustration and design. For me, it’s all about collaboration, creative thinking, and making things that bring a little more fun, colour, and joy into the world. I care deeply about doing good work with kind people, and I’d love to help you tell your story.

 
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Creating Captain Blueberry

My creative journey also led me to create Captain Blueberry, a mighty French sailor who discovers unknown sea monsters and other dangers. Capt. B sounds a little like me!

I've written, illustrated, and published two books in the series: The Monsters of Tasmania and The Journey of Admiral Bolognaise. These books have allowed me to connect with young audiences. I regularly do book readings at schools and run monster presentation workshops for Captain Blueberry's fans.

I still get a thrill when I see my books in bookstores and libraries, and I'm busy cooking up the next Captain Blueberry adventure.

 
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A little bit more

When I’m not working I get a kick out of riding motorbikes. I love swimming in the ocean, snorkelling and free diving. You’ll still find me exploring nature’s treasures, going on road trips and indulging in cheese and chocolate whenever I can.

Other things I have done:

Awards

  • 2022 Whitley Commendation Award for Children’s Investigative Zoology for Poo, Spew, Gross Things Animals Do

  • ACT Notable Children’s 2020 Big Press award for Hold on! Saving the Spotted Handfish

  • 2021 CBCA Shorlist, Eve Pownall for Hold on! Saving the Spotted Handfish

  • 2021 Wilderness Society Awards Shortlist, in the non-fiction category for Hold on! Saving the Spotted Handfish

  • 2021 Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year awards Shortlist, Birth to 3 years age group for One Remarkable Reef

Published Books:

  • lllustrator & designer: Cheer up, Blobfish!
    Affirm Press \\ Julie Murphy \\ 2024

  • Illustrator: Lawless Ladies
    Five Miles Press \\ Angela Buckingham \\ 2022

  • llustrator & designer: The Calling of Jackdaw Hollow
    University of Queensland Press \\ Kate Gordon \\ 2022

  • Illustrator & designer: Poo, Spew, Gross Things Animals Do
    CSIRO Publishing \\ Nic Gill, Romane Cristescu \\ 2022

  • Illustrator & designer: The Ballad of Melodie Rose
    University of Queensland Press \\ Kate Gordon \\ 2021

  • Illustrator: Amazed! Csiro’s A to Z of Biodiversity
    CSIRO Publishing \\ Andrea Wild \\ 2021

  • Illustrator & designer: One Remarkable Reef
    State Library of Queensland \\ Kellie Byrnes \\ 2020

  • Illustrator & designer: The Heartsong of Wonder Quinn
    University of Queensland Press \\ Kate Gordon \\ 2020

  • Illustrator & designer: Hold on! Saving the Spotted Handfish
    CSIRO Publishing \\ Gina Newton \\ 2020

  • Illustrator & designer: There’s No Such Place as Away
    Foodweb Education \\ Megan Floris \\ 2020

  • Illustrator & designer: Katie and the Blankie
    For the Love of Reading \\ Jen Fitzgibbon \\ 2018

  • Illustrator: The Balfour Correspondent
    Bob Brown Foundation \\ James Dryburgh \\ 2017

  • Illustrator & designer: Katie and the Red Rubber Ball
    For the Love of Reading \\ Jen Fitzgibbon \\ 2017

  • Author, Illustrator & designer: The Journey of Admiral Bolognaise
    Rachel Tribout & Daniel Patman \\ 2016

  • Illustrator & designer: A guide to the plants of Tasmanian saltmarsh wetlands
    UTAS & NRM North \\ Vishnu Prahalad \\ 2014

  • Author, Illustrator & designer: The Monsters of Tasmania
    Rachel Tribout & Daniel Patman \\ 2014

  • Illustrator & designer: Landing on Snow
    Firedoor Press \\ Claire Jansen \\ 2011