I’m extremely excited to share that I’ll be collaborating with super explorer Rachel Rudwall (@rachelroams) on a series of prints. If you’ve seen the Cheena Vala print, you’ve already seen the first one!
Rachel is a life-long explorer, from her childhood exploring Ohio’s beautiful open spaces and forests, to her worldwide adventures today. I met her as a fellow student in an International Studies class at Miami University and we bonded over a love of travel and exploring. She has gone on to an amazing career of professional wandering (everyone’s dream!).
As described on her website (RachelRoams.com), “she has traveled six continents, lived in three countries, and journeyed through nearly 60 nations. As TV Host, Producer, EMMY-Nominated Camera Operator, and Social Media Influencer, Rachel regularly drops herself into faraway lands to relate their stories to outsiders.” Her passion for travel and particularly her enthusiasm in sharing the world with everyone is what made me want to collaborate.
I will be using a total of four of her photos as inspiration for prints. Ten percent of the sales from these prints will go to a charity near and dear to her heart called Girls Not Brides. This awesome organization works to end child marriage and enable girls to live out their potential with a worldwide reach. An excerpt from their website details their efforts:
“Girls Not Brides is a global partnership of more than 600 civil society organizations from over 80 countries committed to ending child marriage and enabling girls to fulfill their potential.
“Members are based throughout Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas. We share the conviction that every girl has the right to lead the life that she chooses and that, by ending child marriage, we can achieve a safer, healthier and more prosperous future for all.
“Stronger together, Girls Not Brides members bring child marriage to global attention, build an understanding of what it will take to end child marriage and call for the laws, policies and programmes that will make a difference in the life of millions of girls.”
As I said, I’m thrilled to collaborate with Rachel and to share her passion for the world with you through my prints. On a personal note, I believe she’s an incredible role model for anyone, but especially women who want to explore and travel on their terms. In her own words, “We live in an age in which women are permitted more and more freedoms to explore their bliss, their talents, and their world, and I'm grateful to be a part of that collective journey.”
Wonderfully said.