Welcome to our 'Local Highlights' Series. We are shining a spotlight on local Aussie creatives that not only share our passion for design, but also the importance of sustainability in business today. Discover the ups and downs of running a small business (during COVID!) and support local artists by sharing their story.

Got a local artist that would love to be involved? Email us at collab@cove.cleaning.

Studio Joey: Founder, Rachael Pictor's Move to Slow Living in Her home and Business.

Studio Joey is the home of visual artist, Rachael Pictor. Working out of her home in Melbourne, Rachael creates artwork inspires by women and their relationship with their surroundings. 

As a slow living advocate, Rachael believes that most of what we need already exists. She chooses to use upcycled materials in her work and creates small batch, seasonless collections of original works, prints and hand- painted textiles.

Hey Rachael, tell us a little about you and your business, Studio Joey? 

Hello there!  My name is Rachael and I am the creator behind Studio Joey, a visual art service offering original artwork, prints and upcycled homewares. I've had a few different hobbies over the years and during 2020 Melbourne lockdown I starter making pet portraits, which is how Studio Joey came to be.

The pet portraits helped me to refine my style and now my focus is on creating original artwork (with the odd pet portrait in between).

I also have an Etsy store where I sell my prints and greeting cards. Upcycled homewares are a new addition to my store and my first collection is a series of hand painted table clothes and napkins, all made using second hand textiles. 

Studio Joey is a side- business and when I am not creating, I work full time in publishing. I love my job but it does not give me much opportunity to work with my hands and Studio Joey provides me with that creative outlet. 

 How did you come up with the name Studio Joey?

 Studio Joey is named after the love of my life, our rescue greyhound Joey! Joey has been the most perfect companion before, and especially during the Melbourne lockdowns. As I started my business during lockdown it felt very fitting to name it after him. 

You have recently made the transition to a focus on slow living in your home and business, why?

In my 20s, I started a sustainable fashion journey and over time that mindset crossed over into other aspects of my life, like my home and lifestyle, leading me to delve into the world of slow living. 

Juggling full time work with my side business means I have to be very careful with my time, so a slow living approach helps me to manage my time without succumbing to "hustle culture". Art is a mindfulness practice for me and choosing to live slowly allows me to maintain the positive relationship I have with art. 

Why do you think slow living is an important message to share?

Life demands so much of us and it is so easy to become burnt out. I hope by sharing my approach to slow living it encourages others to be kinder to themselves and their community,

Where do you find your inspiration for your designs? What's your creative process?

My creative process is quite intuitive. I usually come across an image or setting that sparks and idea which I will sketch out until it is ready to be painted. Women are a constant source of inspiration for me. I like to explore the relation women have with themselves and the world around them in my pieces. I'm also influencers by my surroundings. I am home with Joey most of the time lately so my recent works include a lot of greyhounds (luckily Joey makes an excellent model).