This is Racheal Anilyse’s website. Racheal lived and breathed art. What most people did not know about Racheal was that she was born with a rare skin disease called Epidermolysis Bullosa or EB. Racheal was born without collagen, or the glue, that keeps the layers of the skin together. Mild trauma to her skin would cause it to breakdown into open wounds. Due to the continued breakdown of the skin, severe contractures of Racheal’s hands occurred by age 12 which rendered her without fingers. Racheal never let the art world know of this because she wanted to be taken seriously as an artist and refused to use her disease to advance her career. People with this disease are susceptible to squamous cell carcinoma (skin cancer). This type of cancer with people who have EB becomes very aggressive and usually spreads to other areas on and in the body. While we all hoped and prayed that Racheal would be immune from this, she was not. Racheal had her first cancer tumor in March 2010, which was successfully removed. Several more cancer tumors were removed over the next year and by October 2010, her lymph nodes became enlarged. After several months of testing, Racheal learned that the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes. Racheal was brave and courageous and endured months of weekly chemotherapy treatments. In October 2011, the cancer had spread to her liver. On November 18, 2011 Racheal left this life for another, just three day shy of her 28th birthday. Racheal never gave up hope and never complained. She left behind her beautiful art for all of us to see and treasure daily.
Below is a video that Racheal submitted to Bravo for an upcoming reality television show about artists. I love it and I hope you’ll love it too.
And, Racheal's art will be for sale again soon!
Hey-oh!
I'm Racheal! Art + design are how I communicate. What you see on this site are all the words of my language.
Contact:
RachealAnilyse@yahoo.com | 860-515-8751
Links:
Blog | Shop | Flickr | Twitter | Vimeo | Underground Art School | Pikaland |
What I do:
I am an illustrator/designer, blogger + a bona fide word nerd from Connecticut. I graduated from the Hartford Art School in '06 with a degree in illustration + minor in visual communication design + art history. I am a weekly contributor on the super fantastic art + illustration blog Pikaland!
Underground Art School™:
In 2008 I created the Underground Art School which is a print magazine and blog for art students, graduates + emerging professionals. 80% of art school grads are not pursuing art after the diploma. NOT COOL.
My Materials:
I use tea stains, pencil, pen, and a little bit of watercolor paint.
Tea? Really?
Yes! My Grandmother taught me how to read tea leaves in college and I've only looked forward since. Plus it is a non toxic, environmentally friendly, delicious material.
Current Projects:
I'm trying to publish children's books!
