Meet Your Artist: Rachel Badeau
Rachel Badeau has been etching and engraving in a variety of media for over thirty
years under the name Moosup Valley Designs. Her work, characterized by fine line and
intricate detail, attempts to touch the hearts and emotions of others, while reflecting her
Rachel's work progressed from scrimshaw jewelry to her 18 years of creating original
hand colored, embossed etchings which have been sold in shops and galleries
worldwide. She then created a unique line of resin jewelry and other items using the
scrimshaw technique of engraving. Her current interest lies in making original
scrimshaw engravings in fossilized ivory, Baltic Amber, mother of pearl and deer antler.
Rachel has studied at the Rhode Island School of Design and the former Jess-
Patterson studio in Providence. However, she is, for the most part, self-taught.
My artistic obsession seems to be with fine detail expressing itself in a variety of media
over the years. From scrimshaw, etching and engraving to drawing, carving and painting
I have nurtured this fascination with miniature worlds. Nature and animals are my main
inspiration, although I often find myself crossing that fine line into the world of fantasy.
Art is a constant learning experience for me. The excitement lies in what is discovered
with the creation of each new piece and the hope of bringing a little smile to the viewer.
love of animals, nature and the human spirit.
