Rebecca Barraclough is a passionate artist and dedicated community member living in Perkasie, Pennsylvania. With roots in both the Philippines and North America, her life has been shaped by a rich tapestry of cross-cultural experiences. From an early age, Rebecca found solace and expression through art—a passion that continues to guide her creativity today through mediums such as watercolor, acrylic, and linocut printmaking.
Her journey has taken her across continents and through significant life transitions, each contributing to her deep appreciation for family, resilience, and personal growth. Alongside her love for painting, Rebecca enjoys reading, gardening and yoga. She also actively gives back to her community through volunteer work that supports individuals preparing for reentry into the workforce.
Now settled in Perkasie, Rebecca treasures the close-knit relationships she’s built—both with her extended family nearby and the strong friendships that enrich her neighborhood and daily life. Through her art, service, and devotion to those around her, Rebecca continues to cultivate a life rooted in creativity, connection, and compassion.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
Rebecca’s days follow a gentle, mindful rhythm rooted in creativity and intention. Mornings begin early, often with 15 minutes of yoga or quiet stretching followed by time spent tending to her garden. This routine serves as a transition from rest to focus, allowing her to enter her artistic practice with mental clarity. She works best in daylight, so she organizes her painting and printmaking sessions in the late morning and early afternoon—often turning on a favorite instrumental playlist or audio book and clearing her workspace of distractions. Her afternoons might include a short walk around her Perkasie neighborhood, connecting with neighbors, or volunteering at a local nonprofit supporting job readiness programs. By keeping her days balanced between solitude and community, physical movement and quiet focus, she finds consistency in productivity without burnout.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Ideas for Rebecca’s artwork often begin as emotional impressions rather than fully formed concepts. A memory from childhood in the Philippines, a pattern in nature, or a conversation with a friend might spark an image or feeling she sketches loosely in a notebook. She typically explores that image using thumbnail studies, sometimes in watercolor to test mood and composition. Her linocut prints, in particular, require planning and commitment, so she uses tracing paper and carving tools to experiment with texture and negative space before printing on handmade paper. She considers mistakes part of the evolution, often reinterpreting an image through multiple mediums.
What’s one trend that excites you?
Rebecca has become fascinated with the resurgence of interest in slow crafting and analog art techniques. She sees it not as nostalgia, but as a collective yearning for tactile engagement and meaningful process in an increasingly digital world. Techniques like hand-stitching, block printing, and cyanotype appeal to her for their imperfections and depth. She often experiments with these to reintroduce physical storytelling into her work.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Before starting any studio time, Rebecca writes a short paragraph about what she wants to explore that day—whether it’s a color palette, a composition, or a particular feeling. This reflection anchors her in purpose and keeps her from drifting aimlessly or succumbing to perfectionism.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Rebecca would tell her younger self that there’s no prize for rushing. The most meaningful art doesn’t come from urgency—it comes from presence. She’d say: slow down, notice the light, let ideas simmer. It’s okay not to have all the answers right away. Living gently, with curiosity and patience, gives your creativity room to breathe. Trust that the quiet seasons are just as valuable as the productive ones.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
Rebecca believes that not all hobbies need to be monetized or turned into side hustles. In an age where many feel pressure to showcase or sell every creative output, she advocates for making art simply for the joy of making.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Keep a “visual diary.” Rebecca records colors, textures, and compositions that catch her eye during walks or museum visits. This informal collection of snapshots and notes often leads to unexpected inspiration months later.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
She steps away from her workspace and works with her hands in a different way—usually gardening. The repetitive motion of weeding or planting helps her reset mentally while still engaging in a meditative practice.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Adopting a lifelong learner mindset has been the most valuable strategy in Rebecca’s career growth. She approaches every role, project, and challenge with curiosity—asking questions, seeking feedback, and staying open to new perspectives. Whether it’s learning a new system, exploring a different industry, or refining her leadership style, she views growth as an ongoing process. This mindset has not only kept her adaptable but also helped her build deeper, more collaborative relationships with the people she works with.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
At one point in her career, Rebecca tried to mold herself into what she thought others expected—more corporate, more polished, less questioning. She downplayed her creativity, her curiosity, and her natural leadership style in an effort to “fit in.” While she managed to succeed on the surface, it was exhausting to maintain and ultimately left her feeling disconnected from her work. Over time, she realized that trying to be someone else was not only unsustainable—it was a barrier to real growth. She began showing up more honestly: sharing ideas, asking questions, and embracing her natural strengths. The lesson? Authenticity is not only easier to sustain—it attracts the right opportunities and the right people. When you show up as your real self, you create space for the kind of career that’s both successful and fulfilling.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Create a mobile art studio in a van or converted bus that brings hands-on workshops—like linocut printing and paper making—to underserved rural communities. Art should be accessible to all, not just those near cities or formal institutions.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Rebecca uses the app MS OneNote to organize creative projects, art supply inventory, and deadlines for community events. Its visual interface works well with her visual mind.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
Rebecca has always been drawn to the storytelling of Stephen King. While many know him for horror, what she loves most is his ability to build fully realized characters and explore the quiet, human moments within extraordinary circumstances. 11/22/63 is a particular favorite—not just for its time-travel plot, but for its emotional depth and the questions it raises about choice, sacrifice, and the ripple effects of our actions.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
Practical Magic, a longtime favorite that continues to resonate in new ways. Beyond the whimsical charm and 90s nostalgia, what she loves most is the deeper story beneath the magic—about sisterhood, healing, embracing who you are, and breaking generational patterns. The characters navigate love, loss, fear, and resilience in a way that feels both fantastical and deeply human. It’s a reminder that strength doesn’t always look loud—and that creating a meaningful life sometimes means rewriting old rules and trusting your own instincts.
Key learnings
- Maintaining creative productivity involves structured reflection and balance between solitude and community engagement.
- Volunteering outside one’s field can lead to unexpected collaborations and personal growth.
- Creative failure is often due to misalignment in intention, not lack of talent—clarity is essential.
- Art made for joy, without commercial intent, has intrinsic value and personal meaning.
- Analog, tactile methods remain powerful tools in a digital world, offering slower, richer creative experiences.