Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Rachel Majesty. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Rachel thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

This morning, I’m up early, buzzing with excitement. It’s not that anything particularly remarkable is happening today—it’s more of a revelation.

Though I’ve always been a creative spirit, it wasn’t until 2023 that I truly found the courage to pursue a career as a fine artist. My first show didn’t come until May 2024, where I debuted a body of work that included a primitive, almost childlike illustration of a cat—something wildly different from what I create now. It’s both exhilarating and humbling to see how much I’ve evolved in such a short amount of time. At the same time, there’s a bittersweet ache for the years I didn’t allow myself to explore this path more fully.

But that’s not the point of this early morning spark.

Today, I want to share a new kind of artist statement—a reflection of who I am now.

Lately, I’ve developed two distinct bodies of work. The first is rooted deeply in my beloved Lancaster County community. It’s a series steeped in “dreamy memories,” and it’s proving to be expansive in every sense. These pieces allow me to connect with friends from all walks of life, and I’m eager to dig deeper into what it means to live here—to really live here—and to paint that experience.

As my skills have grown, I’ve become comfortable painting realistic portraits, not just of strangers, but of the people I love most. I’ve been taking on commission after commission, creating small, heartwarming portraits of pets and humans alike—each one a tender love letter. I’m now planning a larger body of work focused on the people who have shaped my world, painted on the surfaces I’ve grown to love most: wood panels.

The second body of work is what others might call my “darker side,” though I think of it as my truest self. It’s inspired by my VHS-C tape collection, frequent walks in the cemetery, and eerie old photographs from the Peabody Museum.

I want to talk more about those tapes.

My childhood didn’t become truly chaotic until I was around ten. Before that, I had glimpses into what an idealized American family life was “supposed” to be—warm, fuzzy, 1990s nostalgia. And I craved it. The textures, the colors, the smells.

Buffets at birthday parties. Christmas in an avocado-green kitchen. A sleepy dog, an uncle in tiny shorts puffing on a cigarette. Little Italian pastries. Cold Senape’s pizza (which I still travel for). Boscov’s boxes lined with tissue paper. Incense burners releasing wisps of smoke. The scent of mothballs. And on the other side of my family, endless cousins and echoing laughter.

As my world unraveled, those memories hovered just out of reach. I’ve since made peace with that part of my story—I’ve built myself into a whole, independent, vibrant human being.

In recent years, I’ve stumbled across old “found footage” tapes—home videos from American families in the 1990s that mirror the memories I hold close. Watching them feeds my soul. At first, I pulled small details from the footage—chairs, décor, set pieces. But gradually, I began painting portraits.

And yesterday… I painted two beloved lesbian clowns I discovered on one of the tapes. My heart nearly exploded with joy.

The tapes show two women in their 50s or 60s traveling together—Alaska, Arizona… It’s all so tender. Then, in one tape, their journey takes a magical turn: they decide to become clowns together. They have a little dog. It’s surreal, sweet, and gently strange—pure 90s gold.

And now, I’m no longer limited to quirky cartoon-style illustrations. I can paint real, tender, soulful portraits. And in doing so, it feels like I’m connecting with old friends, long-lost family, or maybe even my retro clown guardian angels.

Rachel, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hi! I’m Rachel Kantner, though I create under the name Rachel Majesty. I’m a multimedia artist based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, originally from the small town of Bloomsburg. I’ve been working professionally as an artist since May of 2024, and every step of the journey has been a mix of grit, magic, and deep personal growth.

My work is all about transforming the mundane into the mystical. I pull inspiration from overlooked moments, quiet places, and everyday feelings, and I reimagine them into something otherworldly—something that feels like it slipped in from a dream or a folktale. I love working with color, symbolism, and storytelling to create pieces that feel like artifacts from another realm.

Lately, I’ve been pouring a lot of love into my series of miniature pet and people portraits—small, dreamy works painted on wood panels. They’re vibrant, whimsical, and filled with personality. These portraits have become a sought-after offering, and I’m currently training myself to create them live, on-site in under 30 minutes. It’s part of my mission to make art more personal and accessible while still holding onto that spark of wonder.

Stylistically, I’m drawn to dark whimsy and supernatural charm. I’m deeply influenced by the energy of Salem, Massachusetts, and the haunting beauty of the Lancaster Cemetery here in Pennsylvania. That love of folklore, cryptids, ghosts, and forgotten stories finds its way into almost everything I create.

My work is currently featured at Urban Arts House and Levengood’s in Lancaster, and I’ll be joining Hive & Forge in Salem starting May 2025. I also show at conventions and pop-ups across the U.S., and I frequently organize my own exhibitions here in Lancaster. Earlier in my career, I worked in fiber arts and was published in books and magazines such as Fine Living Lancaster and Intertwined by Lexi Boeger, which really shaped my sense of texture and narrative.

In 2025, I had the opportunity to create my first album cover for the single What You Do Well by Air Quotes Music. It was an exciting challenge that pushed me creatively and allowed me to connect my visual storytelling with sound. Around the same time, one of my prints was featured in the independent YouTube film Watch Me Disappear by Danielthehuman. Seeing my work represented in film was surreal and incredibly affirming—both experiences reminded me how expansive and versatile art can be.

Community is a big part of who I am. I serve as President of the Lancaster, PA Artist Society, I’m a proud supporter of Humane Pennsylvania, and I’m also an active member of Polkadot Powerhouse, a global community of positive, purpose-driven women. These relationships keep me grounded, inspired, and constantly evolving.

I often collaborate with my partner, Damian Sorrow, on creative projects, live painting events, and anything weird and wonderful we can dream up together.

What sets my work apart is the balance I strike between the eerie and the heartfelt. My art invites you in with its color and charm, but it leaves you thinking—or feeling—something deeper. At the core of everything I do is a desire to help people feel seen, connected, and a little more enchanted by the world around them.

Whether it’s a custom portrait, a cryptid painting that sparks curiosity, or a surreal piece that lingers in your memory, I want my work to feel like a small, magical gift. One that’s a little strange, a little sweet, and always full of heart.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding part of being an artist, for me, is the creative freedom that comes from building skills. The more I practice and push myself, the more tools I have to bring my ideas to life. It’s not just about inspiration—it’s about putting in the work so that when inspiration hits, there’s nothing holding me back. Every hour I spend creating chips away at those limitations and opens up new possibilities. That growth lights me up—it’s what keeps me excited and constantly evolving.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

there are a few podcasts that have really shaped the way I think about creativity, independence, and entrepreneurship:

Art Juice has been a huge influence on how I approach the business side of being a working artist. It’s honest, practical, and encouraging—like having a casual chat with seasoned creatives who understand the balancing act between making art and making a living.

Creative Pep Talk is another favorite. It’s helped me shift my mindset around visibility, consistency, and staying motivated. It blends inspiration with real strategy in a way that feels both uplifting and actionable.

And while it’s not specifically art-focused, Solo: A Single Person’s Guide to Living a Remarkable Life has had a big impact on how I view personal agency and purpose. It dives deep into self-determination and designing a fulfilling life, which naturally spills into how I manage my creative practice and entrepreneurial goals.

Each of these has helped me grow not just as an artist, but as someone building a meaningful, self-directed life and career.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.rachelmajesty.com
• Instagram: rachel.majesty
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RachelMajesty
• Linkedin: Rachel Majesty