The Story Behind Rachel's Scribbles

Hello! I'm Rachel Lye, a farm animal veterinary surgeon based in beautiful West Cornwall.

I founded The Kernow Creative in 2021, never expecting it to become anything more than a quiet, personal outlet during a difficult period of my life. In June 2026, I re-branded to create Rachel's Scribbles, a name that better reflects the artwork I love creating today.

From a Childhood Passion to Veterinary Life

Art was a huge part of my life as a teenager, but after my GCSEs, my focus shifted entirely to one goal: gaining a place at veterinary school. For the next ten years, pencils, paintbrushes and creativity took a back seat as I dedicated myself to becoming a vet - a lifelong dream that I'm incredibly proud to have achieved.

I absolutely love my profession, but like many caring careers, veterinary medicine comes with its challenges. The hours can be long, the emotional demands significant, and it's easy to spend so much time caring for others that you forget to look after yourself. Burnout is something many vets experience, often without realising it.

Rediscovering Art

In my third year of practice, I reached a point where I needed to prioritise my own wellbeing and took some time away from work. During that period, I spent time with a neighbour who used art as a form of therapy. Together, we created spray-painted night sky scenes, and for the first time in years, my mind felt still.

I began experimenting with different artistic mediums and gradually rediscovered a passion I hadn't realised I had missed so much. Although I was proud of what I was creating, sharing it felt incredibly vulnerable, so I started posting my work under a new name: The Kernow Creative.

At the same time, I began therapy with a wonderful woman who was both an artist and a therapist - the perfect combination for me. With her encouragement, and the support of friends and family, I found the confidence to share my work more widely. Before long, commission requests started arriving.

A Creative Journey

The Kernow Creative grew in ways I never imagined. I turned popular originals into prints, explored mediums including acrylic, watercolour, ink and gouache, and even ventured into candle making. My creative community expanded across Instagram, Facebook and TikTok, reaching far beyond friends and family.

Most importantly, I discovered that creativity gives me balance. It allows me to care for myself while continuing to give my best to the animals, farmers and clients I work with every day.

The Next Chapter - Rachel's Scribbles 

Over the years, one thing became clear: my Scribble Portraits were the pieces people connected with most. Pet portraits quickly became the majority of my commissions, and the process itself became my favourite form of creating - simple, relaxing and easy to pick up in the evening after a day at work.

From this came the re-brand - Rachel's Scribbles

Looking ahead, I plan to develop new collections and explore bringing my artwork to life on products such as tote bags, cushions and other home ware. I'm excited to see where this journey leads and grateful to everyone who has supported me along the way.