Student Success Story: Rachel Watts

When Rachel Watts speaks about her art practice, you can hear the warmth and vulnerability behind her words. Like many of us, her creative journey started young. Rachel grew up surrounded by the hum of knitting needles from her mum and nana, developing into a love for embroidery in her teenage years that stayed close for years. But then, life happened.

“Career, children, all of that… creativity just took a backseat,” Rachel shares. “It was always there, but not something I gave proper time or value to.”

That changed when she found Making Connections with Cas Holmes.

Reclaiming her creative space

Before enrolling, Rachel was already trying to make space for art again. But it wasn’t easy. Like so many artists juggling family and work, she found herself questioning whether her creativity was worth the time.

“Before I discovered Cas’s course, I wasn’t valuing my art practice as much as I wanted to. It was something I did on the side, almost a bit secretively. But through the course—and especially Cas’s encouragement to make art a daily practice - it’s taken up more space in my life. I value it more now, for what it gives me personally and what I can share with others.”

Cas’s gentle and process-led approach helped Rachel reframe her relationship with making. “There were moments where I’d think, ‘Is this good enough?’ But Cas’s way of saying, ‘Just rip it up if it’s not working’ - that gave me permission to drop some of that uptightness.”

Finding flow again

One of Rachel’s biggest takeaways? Letting go of expectations.

“As a psychologist, I talk with people all the time about holding on to expectations lightly… and now I’m living that in my art. I’m not so caught up in what something should look like. I’m curious again. That’s carried into my personal life too - not just my art.”

This return to curiosity and freedom feels like a full circle moment for Rachel. She reflects back on how as a teenager her work felt free, expressive, and joyful. “Cas’s course helped me find my way back to that earlier sense of play.”

A practice that fits your life

Rachel also embraced the daily sketchbook practice Cas encourages. From quick drawings of her dog to quiet observations of her home, these daily moments of making helped her realise that creativity doesn’t have to be grand or time-consuming - you just have to find small pockets of time in your day. 

“There’s a freedom in that. I don’t have to cram my art into two hours on a weekend. There’s a little space for it every day, and I love that.”

What’s next for Rachel?

Rachel’s now dreaming bigger. She’s planning to integrate her art and psychology practice by running mindful stitching groups - offering women a creative, comforting space to slow down and connect.

“I’ve noticed how stitching can support people through grief or stress. It’s something I’d love to offer. And I just want to keep growing and being curious with my own practice.”

Rachel’s advice for fellow artists

“Just take the leap,” Rachel says with a smile. “Doing these courses - especially Cas’s - was a gift to myself. I’ve taken two Take Two courses now, and they’ve complemented each other beautifully. They’ve helped me build a library of knowledge that I’ll carry with me forever.”