2025 Year In Review

This year was a wild ride, starting with an ultimate high. We kicked off 2025 with our wedding day, January 3rd in the Ocean State. I wish I could live the day all over again - it was perfection. I am the luckiest lady to have a wonderful partner and family who endlessly support me.

I spent a good portion of this year working in the studio with my cats by my side. Meanwhile, I maintained and grew my yoga practice. It’s been a year of firsts including my first artist residency and market pop up. A favorite business highlight was seeing my first products in the marketplace at TJ Maxx & Amazon!!

It’s been a treat to look back at the year and reflect on all that I am grateful for this past year. In the new year, more than anything, I want to continue to focus on making my work accessible to you. Without further delay, I hope you enjoy these highlights from 2025!

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JANUARY | WEDDING BELLS

We tied the knot!! Beautiful photography by Charleston Wedding Photographer / Taylor Lee Czerwinski

FEBRUARY | PHOTOSHOOT COLLABS

I had the privilege of working with Kate Blohm Photography on multiple occasions through the year! From new headshots to our exhibition inspiration photoshoot for “Al Fresco” at The Post House - we always have the best time collaborating.

MARCH | BOWL OF PHO COMMISSION

I was honored to be commissioned to paint a bowl of Pho as a surprise wedding gift! I loved the illustration so much I turned it into a greeting card for my licensing portfolio. If you’d like to see more of the designs I have available for to license, please contact my agent here.

APRIL | AL FRESCO EXHIBITION

Late April I debuted my tablescape inspired collection with The Miller Gallery. This exhibit was a collaboration with Kate Blohm and Teresa Roche inspired by the joy experience gathered around the table. There are still pieces available online for purchase here.

MAY | FIRST PRODUCT SPOTTING

I was thrilled to stumble across my first product “in the wild” at HomeSense! I love this Aperol illustration and am so proud of this milestone.

JUNE | 100+ CUSTOM MATCHBOOKS

I spent many hours in the studio this summer painting custom matchbooks! This was an extremely enjoyable project and I am excited to see what products are made with them!!

JULY | NEW ORIGINAL TABLESCAPES

I hand delivered a new collection of tablescapes to Shain Gallery! Check out their website to view all my original work that’s available to collect.

AUGUST | MY FIRST ARTIST RESIDENCY

It was an absolute delight to experience my first artist residency this summer at The River House Arts. To learn all about it, check out this blog post.

SEPTEMBER | CALENDAR SPOTTING

My first wall calendar was spotted! “Fresh Picked” 2026 Calendar is a collaboration with Graphique de France and available to purchase directly through Graphique as well as on Amazon.

OCTOBER | CALIFORNIA HERE WE COME

We jetset to San Diego late October for my sweet cousin Monica’s stunning wedding. We were so impressed by all the sights, restaurants, and the museums the area had. We are already itching to make our way back! Art-wise, a highlight from this month was numerous original paintings of mine were featured in “Anything But Gray” on the Magnolia Network. Both paintings pictured below are currently available through The Miller Gallery.

NOVEMBER | SET THE TABLE EXHIBITION

It was a treat to kick off the month of November with a new exhibition. Featuring myself, Molly Mansfield, and Megan Trueblood. We each created works to inspire this time of gathering with the ones we love. View the entire collection available with Art & Light Gallery here.

DECEMBER | CANDLEFISH + COMMISSIONS

I had my first retail pop up during November and December at Candlefish in downtown Charleston. I am looking forward to making the products I sold directly available to you in the new year! Make sure you subscribe to my newsletter to be the first in the know.

Finally, the year ended with two more commissions - a tablescape and a cutie restaurant matchbook! If you’re interested in getting on my commission calendar for 2026, please shoot me a message at info@rachaelreese.com. I would love to hear your ideas!

As always, thank you for following my journey! I am so looking forward to connecting in the New Year! Cheers!!