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