Rachel Kantner

Pen Name: Rachel Majesty

Artist Statement

My most prized possession is a 1990s VHS tape capturing camcorder footage of two lesbians in their 60s rehearsing clown routines. The tape ends with skits being performed at their official clown school classes. This rare footage, alongside other niche subjects, serves as inspiration. I invite my audience to explore my eclectic collection of interests and characters showcased in my work.

My work creates a realm of magical tales rooted in overlooked mundane references. Through storytelling, I breathe new life into invisible subjects, transforming them into magical artifacts.

In my multimedia painting practice, I draw from references from my camcorder footage collection—like toys, houses, and yards. My paintings integrate ink, pencil, and pastel. Recently, I've introduced paper mache, handspun newspaper, and textured paper borders to create dimension.

Inspiration strikes from dead fish, rotting fruits, and discarded items. My hand-knit octopus "Tank" shows up often. The frequent cyclops imagery is inspired by my one-eyed cat, Roger. Birds are a primary reference source, usually portrayed with bewildered expressions and slightly open beaks. I'm drawn to the unusual, creepy, and endearingly pathetic.

A career in sales has led me to create relatable characters that reflect contemporary work life. When professionals and executives in all fields emotionally connect with my storytelling, my artwork transcends mere illustration. Characters like "Marsupial Sue," inspired by "Subaru Sue," the car saleswoman, and "Financial Advisor Bird," based on a bird spotted in a friend's office parking lot, delight my colleagues.

The expressions on my character's faces frequently resonate with audience members; for instance, upon seeing "Cutie Patootie Bird," a young lady remarked, "That's how I feel at work."

My work highlights subjects that are often overlooked. I'm giving these normally invisible objects a new life and a chance to be majestic. I hope my work speaks to my collectors and encourages them to celebrate the beauty they didn't see before in their lives and themselves.

Education


Bradley Academy for the Visual Arts

  • Associates in Specialized Technology, Dec. 2003

Lancaster Creative Factory
Handbuilding & Wheel Throwing classes
2023

Memberships & Boards


Art Queens 2023 - present

Polkadot Powerhouse 2022 - present

Humane Pennsylvania
Art of Art's Sake Auction Board 2024

Contact


📞 +717-380-0799
✉️ cryptomajestyrart@gmail.com
🔗 linktr.ee/rachelmajesty

Work Experience


2022 - present
Artist and Owner of Crypto Majesty
Etsy shop selling art prints

2005 – 2022
Fiber Artist at Handmade with Love by Rachel-Marie
Selling hand-dyed and handspun art yarns
Lancaster, PA
Over 1500 sales transactions online, and even more worldwide at retail locations.

Solo Exhibitions


Dec. 6, 2024
Rachel Majesty, Winter Solo Show, Southern Market; Lancaster, PA

Oct. 4, 2024
Rachel Majesty, A Body of Work II Rachel’s Revenge, Pop Up Shop Gallery; Lancaster, PA

May 3, 2024
Rachel Kantner, A Body of Work, Pop Up Shop Gallery; Lancaster, PA

Conventions & Shows


Dec. 20, 2024
Winter Solstice Rave, The State Theater; Havre De Grace, MD ; Art vendor

Nov. 23 - Nov. 24, 2024
Forty Elephants Holiday Market, DoubleTree Resort; Lancaster, Pa. ; Art vendor

Nov. 8 - Nov. 10, 2024
Monster Mania Con 61, Greater Philadelphia Expo Center & Fairgrounds; Art vendor

Sept. 28 - Sept. 29, 2024
WPA Cryptid and Supernatural Expo, Johnstown Masonic Event & Conference Center; Art vendor

Group Exhibitions


July - August 2024
Wild and Precious, Third Story Art; Lancaster, PA, showing one piece, “Smith Island Cake Seance Party”

July 13, 2024
Pancakes and Booze, Underground Arts; Philadelphia, PA

May 25, 2024
For the Love of Art, Civic Club of Harrisburg; Harrisburg, PA

August 2007
Dog Days of Summer, State of the Art; East Petersburg, PA

Publications


Feb. 2010
Intertwined by Lexi Boeger, my art yarn is used for the “Secret Stripe Gauntlets”

Nov. 2008
Hipster Knitter by Kristy Buller, Fine Living Lancaster Magazine, article about my artistic life

Fall 2008
Fig Magazine, photos of my yarn in an article about the Lancaster Yarn Shop

July 27, 2008
Lancaster Newspaper’s Sunday Spotlight, by Mellissa Julius, article; “Rachel-Marie Kantner knits her way to fulfillment”

July 2008
The Storque “Quit Your Dayjob”, Etsy blog, by MaryMary, a blog about being a full time fiber artist

July 9th, 2008
Shameless Magazine blog, DIY or Die, by Diandra Oliver, a blog about being a fiber artist

May 2008
Knit 1 for the Road by Margaret Nock, yarn feature

Jan. 2008
Knit One Embellish Too, by Cosette Cornelius-Bates, page 104, my art yarn was used for the project “Night’s Sky Wristers”

April 19, 2007
Lancaster Newspapers, article on Artwalk featuring my artwork and fingerless mitts