Spotlight: Rachel Breuklander, Macramé Artist

Macramé artist Rachel Breuklander creates her nature-inspired fiber art with a belief that everyone has a seed of creativity that can blossom when nurtured. For Rachel, her medium is macramé, but she elevates it beyond the familiar plant hanger to landscapes she creates using her own signature technique.

How did you find yourself on an artist’s path? Always there? Lightbulb moment? Dragged kicking and screaming? Evolving?

I’ve identified as a pretty creative person ever since I was a kid but pursuing art full time was something I never originally planned on or expected at all. After graduating college and spending years working pretty monotonous customer service type jobs, I found myself in a transitional period in life and needed an outlet for my time and energy. I tried a few different mediums of art and other hobbies like gardening, but nothing quite stuck.

When I stumbled across macramé at the end of 2016, I was completely hooked. I felt like I had finally found the perfect way to relieve stress while exploring my creativity. It was a “side hustle” for years when I first started. But the business side of things kept growing. Then in 2020 I was able to officially make it my full-time gig!

What inspires you to create?

I feel like I have an innate need to create. When I’m not creating in some capacity, it feels like something is missing from my life. I would say my work itself is most inspired by my time in nature. I try to incorporate elements of that into my art.

Did you have a “gateway craft” as a kid? Which creative projects led you to the work you do today?

I did all kinds of crafts as a kid! One of my favorite memories was going on “art walks” with my grandmother. We would look for things on the sidewalk – a pretty fall leaf, a discarded pair of broken glasses, a branch, etc. When we got back home, we would glue everything onto a canvas and turn it into a work of art. I’m sure it looked like a chaotic mess, but experiences like that taught me to look at my surroundings and find artistic value in them.

Why macramé? How does that medium best express what you want to communicate through your art?

You know how they say some people are left-brained and some are right-brained, referring to logical or creative thought processes? Well, I’ve always felt like I was an even 50/50 split between the two. I crave both problem solving and free flow creativity. I also enjoy methodical, tedious work at times. Macramé satisfies both cravings for me. It can actually be quite mathematical when you’re trying to piece together a complex design or plan out measurements. But there is also tons of room for creativity and endless exploration.

In terms of how macramé allows me to communicate or express myself, I am generally drawn to simplicity in design. My greatest joy is making something that’s actually technically quite challenging but making it look easy.

What do you do differently? What is your signature that makes your work stand out as yours?

I feel that I really developed my signature style from 2019-2020. At that time, I created a new style of knotting that hadn’t been done yet. It involved using a common macramé knot called the square knot and creating chains (or sinnets) with alternating colors. When you join them all together on a tapestry, they create an image. I like to call it painting with fiber. I used this technique to create visuals of nature scenes, primarily desert landscapes. That’s when I really felt I hit my stride as an artist.

What is the most important takeaway you want readers to gain from your new book, Nature Macramé: 20+ Stunning Projects Inspired by Mountains, Oceans, Deserts, & More?

I think the most important takeaway that I would want my readers to have is that macramé is limitless. You can truly create anything using knots. In the book we explore lots of different styles, from classic layered macrame pieces to my landscape tapestries to even more sculptural 3D projects. With the knowledge gained from exploring the knots and trying some of the patterns, I want readers to realize that they can take their new skills and use them to create anything!

When it comes to creating, are you more of a planner or an improviser?

I would say I am more of a planner. Most of the time when I’m creating, I have a loose idea of what I’m going to make. Sometimes I go in with a detailed sketch down to the exact measurements. Other times I just have a general picture in my mind. Sometimes between bigger, more planned out projects I do like to give myself room to improvise a smaller piece, with no intention for it but to experiment and play. And sometimes those fun experimental pieces end up giving me ideas for new works!

Do you have a dedicated space for creating? If so, what does it look like?

I am lucky enough to have moved into my own studio this year where most of my knotting happens! It’s an old industrial type of space with an open, lofty feel and some exposed brick accent walls. I’ve spent the majority of my time doing macramé out of a tiny workspace in the corner of my bedroom or garage. So, to finally have a dedicated space of my own has been a huge game changer for my creativity.

Do you use a sketchbook or journal? How does that help your work develop?

I use whatever I have on hand when the idea strikes, whether it’s my sketchbook, a post-it note, or a sketching app on my phone! For more planned out pieces like custom orders with a proof to send to a client, I love using my iPad with Procreate.

What plays in the background while you work? Silence? Music, audiobooks, podcasts, movies? If so, what kind?

All of the above! I mix it up often, but if you were to walk in to my studio while I’m creating you’d most likely hear me listening to a true crime podcast, watching one of my favorite comedy podcasts on YouTube, rewatching one of my comfort shows for the 5th time (hello again, New Girl) or listening to whatever music or band I’m hyper-fixating on that week.

Do you think that creativity comes naturally to people, or do you think creativity is a skill that people can learn? 

I’m a long time believer that creativity is a skill that people learn. Just like any other skill, it might come more naturally to some than to others, but it’s something we all have the capacity for.

I think people who don’t believe they are creative just don’t realize that creativity has a much wider range than drawing or painting. For example, some people’s creativity is best expressed through coming up with creative or innovative solutions to problems. That’s still creative, even if it doesn’t fit the narrative they have on what creativity is.

I think most people just need to give themselves the chance to experiment and be a beginner at things until they find something that resonates with them and that they enjoy!

Do you focus on one piece exclusively from start to finish or work actively on more than one project at a time?

I would say 99% of the time my tunnel vision will not allow me to start a new project if one is already underway. Occasionally I will get to a point in a project that stumps me or leaves me feeling stuck, and then I need to work on another project to just reset my brain. Most of the time, though, it bothers me too much to have multiple pieces going at once. Every unfinished piece feels like an open tab in my brain and it drives me nuts!

Do you lecture or teach workshops? How can students/organizers get in touch with you to schedule an event?

I teach macramé workshops in the LA and Orange County areas often! Students that might be interested in joining can check out my event page on my website (https://www.thelarksheadshop.com/events) and organizers can reach out to me via email ([email protected]) for a collaboration. 

Interview with Rachel Breuklander posted October 2022