Meet
Rashelle, a multidisciplinary creative with Indigenous Cree roots based in amiskwaciy-wâskahikan (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada). Deeply influenced by social and political conditions, Rashelle values playfulness as a means of exemplifying a more diverse standard of beauty and showcases this in every flubber rug she hand tufts. As big fans of her work, we are so excited to carry a limited selection of her in-demand flubbers and to chat with her about her inspirations, her beginnings as an artist, her favourite ways to display her flubbers, and what item of clothing makes her feel most herself.
Who is Rashelle?
Rashelle is a cancer baby who is truly always thinking of what to create next. She is a sensitive and emotional woman that loves to spend time alone but also needs her buddies too. She depends on colours to strike her moods and loves to snack in bed while watching reality tv.
Can you tell us about your beginnings as a multidisciplinary artist and how you ended up hand tufting rugs?
Yes! I would like to say that I started testing my creative juices when I was about 5 years old by standing in front of the mirror and talking to myself but I started to take the word "artist" a little more seriously when I graduated highschool. It all started when I wanted to experiment with photographing my friends! My friendships are my true inspirations <3 I was noticing how dependent I was with creating that it became an outlet of mine and since then I haven't stopped! Beginning of the pandemic was when I began hand tufting which happened very organically for myself in a really sad time. Staying home and having no human interaction was a force to start something else and have it be pieces of positivity. That's when creating fun and groovy rugs came into play!
As a multidisciplinary artist, do you have a favourite medium to explore?
Currently I am really into hand tufting. Everyone's support and love is feeding me energy to create more and do more! I would say it's the most fulfilling art form I have experienced so far.
What are your favourite ways to display your flubbers?
I love to just throw them in a room and see how they land. They are such soft lively creatures and can be showcased anywhere in any position! On a desk? Sure! Some stairs? Ok! Laying on a bed? Ya!
Who or what are some of the influences you draw on in your flubber designs?
My work is very influenced by childhood memories. A lot of the designs are from the early 2000's pop culture I was into, like Lizzie McGuire. I also was (maybe I still am...) obsessed with Austin Powers. I've always been aware of creating work that is playful and good natured. Also my moods influence the colour palette I choose for each rug. I am extremely sensitive to colours!
What are your favourite colours to use when you’re hand tufting and why?
I adore pinks and oranges! It was one of the first colours I used because my favourite duvet set as a pre-teen was orange and pink with little flowers on them. It was a Lizzie McGuire duvet set, haha.
Where are your favourite places to shop, eat and/or visit in Edmonton?
Ooof! My ultimate favorite place to eat is a Jamiacan spot in Millwoods called Irie Foods! I've been going there since I was small! If you can, please go get take out from them! I also love just strolling around West Edmonton Mall (when it's safe of course) It's such a wacky place and I just can't get enough!
What item of clothing makes you feel most yourself?
My Nike sweatsuits <3 I've purchased 4 since the pandemic and wow, do I ever feel invincible in them!
If not yourself, who would you be? A 70's back up dancer for Soul Train. Being paid to groove would be the absolute dream! A few of your favourite instagram accounts to follow? My ultimate fav right now is Paloma Elsesser instagram. She is so inspiring! She is recently on the cover of Vogue and I cried.. She says " I’m shooting an american vogue cover as a chubby, short, mixed race womxn who never imagined this would be her reality." And I couldn't relate to this more as someone who is a chubby mixed womxn too. Another fav instagram account of mine is a local coffee shop called Intent Coffee. They are a Pilipinx owned & QTBIPOC ran coffee collective. Oftentimes we feel the need to be in a constant state of production and always showing new work. What is something you’ve been working on that requires longevity? This question is quite hard for me because I work very fast and am also shape-shifting as an artist but the one thing for keeping longevity is creating relationships with my BIPOC communities. I give 10% of my profits to a BIPOC organization, it's important to me to support as much as I can and be thankful for people of colour because without them we wouldn't have anything. I wouldn't be me without them. How do you decompress? Lately I've been playing Just Dance 2021 on my nintendo switch and that's been doing the job! I just dance out all my stress!
PHOTOS BY ANITA YUEN
Your present state of mind? Gratefulness! What does an ideal weekend look like for you? Watching a great flick, ordering take out, cuddling with my loved one and wearing my pajamas. This has been my weekend every weekend for the past 6 months and I ain't complaining. Beauty and skincare products you swear by? I've been using the Ordinary hyaluronic acid everyday and I swear it keeps my face fresh! I also stand by Lancome's Teint Idole Foundation, it gives me such a natural look. What are some of your most precious things? A few of my most precious things are my wedding earrings, my bright fluorescent green hair clip (I wear it almost everyday, it's a symbol of when I'm feeling relaxed) and my bling'd pepper spray. Safe and sparkly!
