Rachel Sipper

@rachelsipperstudio.net

18785 Followers 26189 Following

Come for the art process images, stay for the perspective. I'll be pinning whatever I'm currently working on, daily. she/her 💙🦓♿

A woman with short hair and sunglasses sits on a sunny beach with a young Malinois and a Swiss shepherd on harnesses
A black-and-white photograph on textured canvas shows a person leaning casually against a post on a downtown sidewalk, one hand on their hip and one foot crossed in front of the other. Bright embroidery threads in blues, pinks, ochres, reds, and black trace selected gesture lines across the figure and continue beyond the body into the surrounding space, especially around the legs and feet, where loose stitched marks suggest movement flowing into the ground. Fine white sgraffito lines remain visible across the image as construction marks, while the unfinished embroidery emphasizes the contrast between the still photograph and the energy of the stitched gesture.
A close-up of a stitched mixed-media artwork in progress, focused on a person’s lower legs and feet as they step across a sunlit paved surface. The black-and-white photographic image is printed on textured canvas, while select contours are traced with hand embroidery in vivid blue, tan, and dark brown thread. The bright blue stitching follows the outer edge of one pant leg and loops across the calf, while tan thread highlights the shoe and ankle. Dark brown lines sketch the surrounding shadows and pavement cracks with loose, gestural marks. Many thread ends remain loose and untrimmed, emphasizing the work-in-progress nature of the piece. Faint printed paving stones and crisp cast shadows beneath the feet create a strong sense of light, while pale guide marks and stitching holes are still visible in areas yet to be embroidered.
Close-up of the back of an embroidered canvas stretched on wooden bars. A dense cluster of loose thread tails in black, cream, burgundy, golden tan, and bright blue hangs from the reverse side where multiple stitched lines intersect. The threads have not yet been trimmed, creating a tangled, expressive knot at the center, while the surrounding off-white canvas remains clean and taut. A soft white cloth is visible beneath the stretcher frame.
A close-up photograph of a black-and-white embroidered artwork in progress. The composition focuses on the lower half of a person standing with one leg crossed casually in front of the other on a sunlit sidewalk. Loose, expressive embroidery stitches in deep burgundy, black, cobalt blue, and warm gold trace selected gesture lines over the photograph rather than outlining the figure completely. The stitched marks emphasize the rhythm of the legs, ankle, foot, and cast shadow, with sweeping, calligraphic lines extending into the pavement. Fine white sgraffito guide lines remain visible where future stitching is planned, revealing the artist’s drawing process. Strong sunlight creates bold shadows across the sidewalk, while the sparse embroidery transforms the photograph into a gestural drawing that emphasizes movement and attention rather than detailed representation.
Hunter Biden @HunterBiden When I heard about Senator Graham’s death last night, the first thing I thought about was not all the things he said and did in service of Donald Trump. I thought of the time before Donald Trump when he was a brother to Senator John McCain. A time when senators from different parties could fight about politics and still be friends. A time when a conservative Republican from South Carolina could say of my father: “If you can’t admire Joe Biden as a person, you’ve got a problem. He’s the nicest person I’ve ever met in politics. As good a man as God ever created.” That is the Senator Graham I will remember today. Not because I have forgotten what came after. Because in that memory there is hope. Hope for a country where brothers can fight like hell over policy and still share a meal, and a laugh, and the loss of the people they love. I will choose to remember the time before Trump. Because I believe in an America after Trump. 9:01 AM · 7/12/26 · 426K Views
A work-in-progress watercolor painting, still taped to a board with wide blue painter’s tape, shows a pink rose blooming from a trailing stem against weathered wood and soft green foliage. The composition is now in the midtone stage: the flower has gained richer pinks around the outer petals while the center remains warm peach and cream, preserving highlights for later detail. Leaves are blocked in with varied yellow-greens, blue-greens, and soft shadows that establish their forms without fully defining them. The textured wood beneath the stem has developed layered browns and grays that suggest grain while remaining loose and painterly. The background foliage has deepened into darker greens, pushing the flower forward. Many of the brightest highlights on the petals and leaves remain unpainted, indicating that darker shadows, edge refinement, and final details are still to come.
A vertical watercolor painting, still in its early stages, depicts a blooming garden rose with two unopened buds. The paper is bordered by bright blue painter’s tape. The background has been developed with layered olive and deep green foliage, creating a dark backdrop that already establishes the composition’s values. Beneath the flowers, textured browns and grays suggest weathered wood or mulch. The rose itself remains mostly white, preserving the paper for highlights. Transparent washes of pale cream, soft yellow, blush pink, and cool blue map out the petals without yet reaching their final intensity. The leaves are lightly blocked in with fresh yellow-greens and blue-greens, while pencil lines are still visible throughout the blossoms and foliage. The finished painting will depict a rose that shifts from buttery yellow at its center to vivid coral-pink petals, with glowing orange-yellow buds beside it. At this stage, the artist has completed the background and established the lightest color notes, leaving the flowers luminous and ready for successive layers of richer color and deeper shadows.
A large tan dog sits quietly on a wooden side porch, viewed from behind, with its head resting between the porch railing and a tall gray tiered fountain as it watches the backyard. The fountain is decorated with white stones, moss, shells, and small bird ornaments, while a red cushion brightens a black metal chair in the foreground. Beyond the railing, a lush green yard filled with mature trees creates a secluded, peaceful backdrop, with a weathered white chair and a small red outbuilding partially visible through the foliage. The dog’s relaxed posture and still gaze give the scene a calm, contemplative feeling.
A close-up photograph shows a dark brown to nearly black mushroom growing among pine needles, fallen leaves, and low green plants on the forest floor. The cap is broad and deeply depressed in the center, with thick, wavy, upturned edges that create a bowl-like shape. Its surface is dry, cracked, and textured with bits of sand clinging to it. The thick stem is similarly dark and mottled with pale flecks. Several small snails cling to the mushroom—one on the cap’s edge and another beneath it—while a black dog’s nose enters from the right side of the frame, inches away, as if curiously sniffing the mushroom. The shallow depth of field keeps the mushroom and dog’s nose in sharp focus against a softly blurred woodland background.
A watercolor work in progress sits on a dark tabletop beneath an iPad displaying the reference photo: a cluster of vibrant roses with two golden-yellow blooms and a bright pink bloom against green foliage. On the watercolor paper, the pink rose is mostly complete with layered washes and a softly textured center, while the yellow rose is partially painted with warm oranges and yellows. Loose green leaves and stems connect the flowers, and broad, luminous green background washes are beginning to define the composition. A large white silhouette marks the unpainted area where another flower will be added. The background features pale peach and gray washes with visible watercolor blooms and soft edges, emphasizing the transparent layering process. A watercolor brush rests to the right beside a white water container and a tube of paint, capturing the painting mid-session.
Black-and-white selfie on a shaded back porch of a person sitting closely beside a large white shepherd-type dog. The dog fills the right half of the frame in profile, one tall ear reaching nearly to the top edge, while the person looks directly into the camera with a calm, thoughtful expression. Overhead, pine branches spread across a bright sky, creating a delicate web of dark silhouettes. A hanging planter, a small geometric wind spinner, porch railing, and neighboring fence frame the quiet backyard setting. The dog’s attentive profile and the person’s steady gaze create a gentle portrait of shared companionship.
A hand holds a small plein air watercolor painting in front of the ocean at night. The painting captures teal-blue waves breaking onto a sandy beach beneath a pastel sky that transitions from peach near the horizon to lavender above. Loose cloud shapes float across the sky, and a torn area in the watercolor paper on the right side reveals where masking fluid damaged the surface, leaving a pale irregular patch. The paper is mounted to a tan backing board with the words “Acid-free” partially visible along the bottom edge. Behind the painting, the actual beach is dark except for a bright full moon over the water and a few blurred lights along the shoreline, creating a contrast between the colorful painted scene and the nighttime setting.
A close-up view of a weaving project on a tabletop rigid-heddle loom. The woven fabric features alternating horizontal stripes of soft, highly textured turquoise-blue yarn and flatter brown yarn, creating a contrast between fluffy, nubby sections and tighter, smoother weave structures. White warp threads stretch vertically through the loom and fan outward toward the viewer. Two shuttles loaded with matching blue and brown yarn rest behind the heddle. The unfinished weaving ends in a twisted blue-and-white section with loose fringe at the bottom. The overall color palette evokes water and earth tones, with the texture of the blue yarn adding depth and movement to the piece.
A groundhog in the grass by the side of the road
Screenshot of a Bluesky notification stating that the account @stardusttay.bsky.social has added the recipient to a moderation list titled “Aligned with anti-LGBT, racists, misogynists, or Nazi tattoos.”
Flyer for an Indivisible Alabama watch party of Rise Up, Sing Out! A Concert for the First Amendment on Sunday, June 14, from 6:00–8:30 PM at The Sanctuary, 432 South Goldthwaite Street, Montgomery, Alabama. Free event with snacks provided.
Poster for Worldwide Knit in Public Day on June 13 from 8:30–11:00 AM at The Plaza at Court Square in Montgomery, Alabama. Colorful illustrations of a cassette tape, yarn ball, pencil, crochet hook, and a hand making a peace sign surround the event details.
Editorial cartoon by Mike Luckovich. A conference room is crowded with anxious-looking people gathered around a table with computer monitors. Several figures wear worried, uncomfortable, or shocked expressions. In the foreground and along the side of the room are multiple large storage boxes labeled “EPSTEIN FILES,” with folders protruding from the boxes marked “TRUMP.” One seated figure at the left appears to be sorting through the files while the others watch nervously. A sign on one person’s shirt reads “TRUMP AIDES.” The caption at the bottom reads, “SITUATION ROOM TODAY.” The cartoon suggests concern or alarm among people connected to Donald Trump over the contents of the Epstein files.
Close-up of an experimental mixed-media artwork combining black-and-white photography, orange embroidery, and muted green pastel. Bright orange stem stitches trace part of a flower cluster and the inner curve of a ceramic vase handle, while a soft green pastel shape overlays a leaf. The glossy photo surface reflects light, emphasizing the handmade interventions.
A political cartoon showing a seated man resembling Donald Trump at a table, looking displeased while a bald man in a dark suit points a finger at him. Behind them is a chart labeled “OIL PRICES” with a sharply rising line graph taped to the wall. The suited man says in a speech bubble, “Hopefully, come November, it’ll be too expensive for voters to drive to the polls…” Crayons and scribbles are scattered across the table alongside a small juice box, giving the scene a childlike or satirical tone. The cartoon is signed “Mike Luckovich” and dated 7-15-26.
A hand-knit sock in vivid stripes of purple, magenta, red, and golden yellow stretches across a lavender lap desk, worn on one foot with the leg extended. The sock features bold color-blocked sections mixed with variegated stripes, showing neat ribbing at the cuff and smooth stockinette stitching throughout. In the softly blurred background, a fluffy cream-colored dog naps on a bed, with a desk setup and glowing computer lights beyond. The overall scene feels cozy, colorful, and handmade.
A colorful abstract doodle resembling a pomegranate or seed pod filled with knitting. Thick black outlines divide the shape into curved sections colored in bright blues, turquoise, lavender, coral pink, and yellow. The circular center is packed with tightly drawn knit-like loops, dotted with small teardrop shapes in blue, yellow, and pink that echo the outer colors. A curling, organic stem-like form rises from the top, giving the image a playful, whimsical feel against a plain white background.
A selfie of a woman with short, curly brown hair looking directly at the camera with a calm expression. She is seated indoors against a lavender wall, wearing a heather gray T-shirt with large white text reading “DO GOOD.” A rectangular “I VOTED” sticker shaped like the state of Alabama is attached to her shirt near her shoulder. Part of a framed artwork is visible in the upper corner, and a blue water bottle sits in the background.
A small metal lantern with delicate dragonfly cutouts hangs in bright morning sunlight, casting patterned shadows across a smooth wooden deck railing. The lantern is in sharp focus, weathered bronze or copper in color, while the backyard behind it fades softly out of focus. In the background, a grassy yard stretches toward a small shed beneath tall trees, with a dog standing near the center. The sunlight filtering through the cutout shapes creates tiny dragonfly silhouettes and dotted patterns on the wood below, giving the scene a warm, quiet garden feel.
A hand-knit wool sock in progress rests on a gray quilted bedspread. The sock is knit in bold horizontal stripes using multiple yarn colors, including purples, plum, deep magenta, bright red, and vivid yellow. The cuff and leg are complete, the heel has been turned, and the foot is being knit on double-pointed needles. Loose yarn tails hang from the cuff and toe area, showing where colors have been joined and changed throughout the project.
Digital sketch of two people in blue suits leaning closely over a table in a large room with blue carpet. One figure bends forward with a hand braced on the tabletop, while the other leans in toward them, their heads close together as if in a quiet or urgent exchange. Loose, expressive dark lines define the figures over painterly blue and gray brushwork, giving the scene a sense of movement and immediacy. A few chairs and part of another seated figure appear in the background, suggesting a formal or institutional setting. The sketch feels observational and unfinished, emphasizing gesture, posture, and atmosphere over detail.
A time lapse digital sketch of two suited men huddling together and whispering across a table.
Graphic for a National Day of Action for Voting Rights. Large white block text centered over a dark red and black background patterned with county map outlines reads: “THE MARCH IS NOT OVER.” Smaller text at the top says, “National Day of Action for Voting Rights.” A red banner across the lower middle reads “allroadsleadtothesouth.com.” At the bottom, white text lists: “Montgomery, Alabama — May 16 | 1 PM.” The overall design uses high contrast with a serious, urgent tone.
A red box of 100 grand ice cream bars, with a small, subtle warning that they contain peanuts on the package
People stand on a sidewalk in front of the Alabama State House, holding a long white banner that reads “BLACK VOTERS MATTER.” The large letters are filled with historical imagery, and a quote from Allen v. Milligan appears beneath. U.S. and Alabama flags hang from the building above.
Bright blue flyer for a voting rights protest on Monday, May 4, 2026 at 2 PM on the steps of the Alabama Statehouse, 11 S Union Street in Montgomery. Text reads “Because silence equals approval.” A raised fist is centered, with “Alabama Democrats” at the bottom.
A soft pastel painting in progress sits taped to a board on an easel in a studio. The scene depicts a large protest in front of the Alabama State Capitol in Montgomery, with the domed building centered in the background and a tall flagpole rising to the left. A crowd fills the foreground lawn, painted with loose, gestural marks and scattered signs. Flags line the front of the building, and trees flank the structure. The sky is a soft blue wash, and the composition is still developing, with some areas lightly blocked in and others more saturated. Surrounding the easel are studio elements: a window to the left, a desk with jars of colored pencils to the right, and warm indoor lighting contrasting with the outdoor scene in the artwork.
Close-up video of a Fiesta rose in bloom, its layered petals glowing golden yellow at the center and fading to warm orange along the edges. The flower is partially open, revealing clustered stamens inside as it sways in a gusty breeze. Smooth green leaves frame the bloom, with soft-focus stones and foliage in the background. Windchimes are heard in the background.
Two-panel political meme. Top panel shows a black-and-white photo of Nixon at a podium raising one finger, with large white text reading, “I’M NOT A CROOK.” Bottom panel shows a color photo of Trump speaking in an interview setting, with large white text reading, “I’M NOT A PEDOPHILE.” A small “MTN MeidasTouch Network” watermark appears in the lower right corner.
A Belgian Malinois puppy chewing on a pine cone
Close-up of a brown dog’s front leg standing on a light-colored outdoor cushion; a shaved patch on the lower leg reveals two small, dark puncture wounds (one larger than the other) consistent with a recent snake bite. In the background, slightly out of focus, a white dog stands on a dirt and grass yard beneath string lights hung between trees.
A Belgian Malinois puppy is reunited with his family after a scary snake bite and a night at the vet.
Brown and black puppy lying on a patchy grass yard beneath outdoor chairs, looking directly at the camera. The dog has a dark muzzle, floppy ears, and wears a collar with a bone-shaped tag that reads “Link.” A small chew bone toy rests nearby on the ground, and wooden steps and stacked patio chairs fill the background.
Charcoal portrait study of a reclining figure’s head and upper torso, with the head tilted toward the viewer. Bold, soft charcoal masses shape the hair and shadowed side of the face, while the features are lightly defined within a high-contrast, atmospheric field.
Close-up of three roses on a green stem in a garden. Two blooms on the left are yellow with orange edges, full and layered, while the bloom on the right is pink with lighter streaks and a partially open center showing stamens. Soft-focus background of soil and greenery.
Graffiti on a worn white wall under an overpass shows three fenced box-like buildings labeled “AMAZON,” “ICE,” and “DATA CTR,” with ICE drawn largest in the center. To the left, dark blue painted words read, “THE FUTURE THEY WANT FOR YOU.” A small tent and tiny campfire icons appear below the text. The wall is heavily weathered with peeling paint, stains, and vines hanging down on the far right, with sidewalk and street in the foreground.
A tall pink amaryllis flower blooms in a shaded garden bed, its large trumpet-shaped petals lit by bright sunlight. Broad green leaves fan out from the base, surrounded by low groundcover and other garden plants. In the background, a dark metal crane statue stands among the foliage, with another pink bloom visible to the right in softer focus. Dappled sunlight and shadow create a calm, lush backyard garden scene.
A masked protester stands alone on a downtown sidewalk holding a large sign that reads: “DHS-I.C.E & PRIVATE DETENTION CENTERS / CONCENTRATION SLAVE LABOR CAMPS / PHYSICALLY. MENTALLY. SEXUALLY ASSAULT / ABUSE. TORTURE MEN WOMEN & CHILDREN / SILENCE MAKES YOU COMPLICIT TO THIS EVIL.” A streetlamp with a red “No stopping anytime” sign stands to the left, with a patterned wall and pedestrian overpass behind.
Strawberry plant in a garden bed, lit by bright morning sunlight. Several white five-petaled blossoms with yellow centers are open among glossy green leaves, while clusters of small unripe strawberries hang low near the mulch-covered soil. The berries are pale green and textured with visible seeds, showing they are still developing. Dry pine needles and wood mulch surround the plant, emphasizing the natural outdoor setting.
Two framed soft pastel paintings lean side by side on upholstered stools in a warmly lit room. The left painting shows a downtown street scene under a bright blue sky, with a fountain spraying water on the left, a bronze statue seen from behind in the foreground, leafy green trees lining the street, and a group of people gathered near the lower right corner. Modern brick and concrete buildings rise in the background. The right painting depicts a calm lakeside scene with a red canoe tied beside a weathered wooden dock, blue water reflecting soft light, and a tree-lined shoreline in the distance. Both artworks are matted in white with dark frames behind glass.
Timelapse of a digital painting. Abstract landscape-style artwork with a dreamlike, atmospheric feel. A bright sky of pale blue and white fills the upper portion, crossed by soft horizontal bands of turquoise and luminous yellow-green that resemble glowing clouds or light breaking through mist. In the center, a floating, irregular mass of deep crimson, magenta, violet, and black hangs suspended, its colors bleeding downward in long vertical drips like ink or rain. The edges of the image have a distressed, frosted texture, as if viewed through weathered glass. Along the bottom, a dense band of dark green and black textured marks suggests grass, brush, or a shadowed field, grounding the otherwise ethereal composition.
White dog lying on sunlit grass in a fenced backyard garden, resting calmly with head turned to the side. Behind the dog is a lush flower bed with tall green plants, shrubs, pink blooms, and tree trunks casting dappled shade across the lawn. The dog wears a collar with a red heart-shaped tag, and the overall scene feels peaceful and bright, like a quiet spring afternoon in the garden.
Alt text: Screenshot of the Merlin Bird ID app showing an identification saved on April 1 in Wetumpka, Alabama at 12:23 PM. The app reports “6 birds” detected from a 1 minute 10 second sound recording. A grayscale spectrogram with a play button appears near the top. Below it is a list of identified birds with thumbnail images: American Goldfinch, Pine Warbler (verified with a blue check), Tufted Titmouse, Red-shouldered Hawk (verified), and Northern Cardinal (verified). The lower portion of the screen shows part of a bird photo, likely a cardinal perched among bare branches. The bottom navigation bar includes Identify, Explore, Life List, and Settings tabs, with Identify highlighted.
A bright yellow sulfur butterfly flits around a tall purple iris.
Wide outdoor scene of a public gathering on a grassy lawn in front of a white domed government building. In the foreground, a pastel painting on an easel depicts the same building and crowd, loosely rendered with soft, impressionistic marks. The painting is taped around the edges with bright green tape. Behind it, people stand and sit in small groups, some holding signs, with flags visible on poles. A folding table sits to the left, and the sky is clear and bright blue.
A Belgian Malinois puppy, sleeping on his back on a gray comforter
Wide outdoor scene of a public gathering on a grassy lawn in front of a white domed government building. In the foreground, a pastel painting on an easel depicts the same building and crowd, loosely rendered with soft, impressionistic marks. The painting is taped around the edges with bright green tape. Behind it, people stand and sit in small groups, some holding signs, with flags visible on poles. A folding table sits to the left, and the sky is clear and bright blue.
Light-colored dog lying curled on a textured gray blanket, head resting sideways with one ear perked and soft, alert eyes. In the background, a desk setup with a widescreen monitor, a blue water bottle, and a softly lit room with pale purple walls.
Soft pastel painting of a downtown protest scene under a pale blue sky. At left, a large tiered fountain splashes beside a greenish bronze statue seen from behind. In the center, an orange-brown corner office building rises above a quiet street lined with bright green trees. At right, a crowd of demonstrators gathers along the sidewalk holding signs and American flags. The loose, atmospheric style softens faces and details while emphasizing light, color, and the contrast between still architecture and collective movement.
A bright red Northern Cardinal eats seed at a green bird feeder attached to a Crape Myrtle tree, and flies to a bonsai tree on a nearby pedestal.