When the pandemic first slowed our hurried pace of life, Toronto-based artist Rachel Joanis found that she suddenly had time to create artwork for herself. Her collection, “The Women,” created in honour of some of the most influential women in her life, including her mother, her sister, her grandmother, and close friends, was born. “I wanted to highlight the strength and beauty of femininity,” says Joanis. Our exclusive Indigo x Rachel Joanis collection nods to “The Women.” Featuring her signature bold colours and graphic illustrations, the pieces, ranging from summer accessories like hats and beach towels to home decor such as candles and vases, are a dynamic celebration of female joy. Here, the artist shares how she brought this vibrant collection to life.
Confident Women as Inspiration
Joanis’s grandmother, who exuded self-confidence and was always impeccably dressed, served as a guiding light for some of the women in the artwork. Fusing fashion references from different eras, Joanis created a timeless ode to feminine style. “You’ll see opera gloves in one piece and then two women in At Rest in suits, so it’s a bit more modern,” she says. The art print Decisions, Decisions is a tribute to the exhilarating—and occasionally chaotic—ritual of getting dressed with friends. “Some of the most fulfilling relationships in my life have been with my female friends, and I wanted to celebrate that,” she says.
Illustrations Using Digital Artistry
At first glance, Joanis’s artwork could be mistaken for freehand paintings, but the illustrations are created through a meticulous digital process. “There are endless possibilities for creativity when using Illustrator,” she says. “I might add a cherry beside a pair of sunglasses and then decide the sunglasses need to change and will try them beside an orange or flower. It’s always tweaked until it clicks.” Much of her design inspiration comes from lively Haitian art that covers the walls of her childhood home, including artists like Fritzner Alphonse, Joel Gauthier, and Préfète Duffaut. “Haitian art is so vibrant and colourful. It’s so much fun to look at,” she says. For her signature hand-painted look, it was trial and error, experimenting with different brush strokes and layered shadows until it looked just right.
The Importance of Representation
Another consistent characteristic of Joanis’ art, which is at the forefront of her collection with Indigo, is her dedication to representing women, different ethnicities, and all body types. “Growing up, I didn’t see many people who looked like me in art, certainly in museums,” she says. She remembers seeing Cinderella featuring Brandy for the first time as a kid. “I just latched on to it,” she says. Now, as an adult, Joanis cherishes the opportunity to create art that’s an inclusive celebration of all women. “Supporting and lifting up women makes us all stronger collectively,” she says.