Meet Rachel Logan

We recently connected with Rachel Logan and have shared our conversation below.

Rachel, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.

When I reflect on what keeps me motivated and inspired to keep growing and progressing as a “functional fiber” artist – it really comes down to it being something that’s a part of me. It ebbs and flows and has dormant moments or years – but it’s always been there. I graduated from Fashion Design school in 1997. I wasn’t an artsy or fashionable teenager – but something about being inspired by a feeling or an idea and translating that into something functional resonated with me. I’m far from being a fine artist nor am I considered a fashionista. I was drawn towards more fiber art and fashion – an emotional artform that was sculptural but technical. Now 30 years later I’m still evolving and honing my technical skills and processes. It’s an unspoken part of who I am – just like breathing. I call it my “hobby of love” – but it’s more than that. It sparks joy – it makes me fulfilled. Though my story starts before college I have a large gap from the early 2000’s until about 7 years ago. I actually call my nearly 20+ year career as a technical designer in the apparel industry – senior level at the end – “my former life”. The apparel industry is not for the faint at heart – long hours – stressful timelines and deadlines – navigating various personalities and the corporate world. Once I became a mother I literally had zero time for myself between 50 plus hours at work and all that comes with being a working mother and wife. I had zero time for my creative self. I loved being a technical designer with learning new things all the time and the problem solving kept me engaged – but it was draining and I just felt like I became my career. I based my self-worth on the perceptions my colleagues and corporate vice presidents had about me. I knew I wanted to come back to my creative roots and had the visions of “one day” being creative again. And then it happened. The universe gave me a gift. My company and position were being relocated to Ohio. I knew I wasn’t going to move with it. There was panic and fear about my future. I mean my whole sense of self was based on this career. Who am I? What do I want? And it was magic. I was forced to pivot and given an amazing opportunity to take a step back – learn a new career. A career that gave me the most precious thing. TIME! And there was that unspoken motivation to create! Dormant for so long – but never gone – gave me my creativity back! The gratitude I have for this life shift gives me creative strength – even on the hard days.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

The concept of Mothic9 has been around over 20 years. In fact when I was first dating my husband he acquired the Mothic9 domain name for me as a love offering! Mothic9 is a name with symbolism and creativity. It blends “moth,” representing transformation, deconstruction, renewal, and a connection to nature, with “goth,” adding a touch of dark elegance, mystery, and nostalgic style. The “9” represents the number of the goddess, a symbol of feminine energy, creativity, and spiritual connection. The core of my work is creating fabric collages made from vintage photos and other inspired images and materials. These fiber art designs are then printed on fabrics made from recycled plastic bottles. I do my best to shop local and at small businesses for fabrics and materials. It really is full circle in support of the small retailer. I am able to take my art and translate it into functional pieces using machine quilting and applique adding texture and depth. I have always preferred working on the smaller side of composition – so my first designs were handbags. Initially all my work was made as one of a kind fabric collages that I turned into accessories but I realized to keep up with being durable and functional I needed to shift my process. This has all evolved through just making and continuing to learn more and develop new skills and ideas. I never stop learning. I enjoy taking art history workshops and recently signed up for a beginners class on quilting. I started my Etsy shop in 2019 with the hopes of one day doing craft fairs. As anyone starting out in the Etsy world knows – this is an uphill – constant challenge. With the luck of a good friend and her local shop inviting me to sell my work – I was officially launched! Though I had some success in the shop – I found myself wanting to take on the goal of a craft market and to have control of the full Mothic9 narrative. So I decided to try my luck at a holiday market and remove my pieces from the shop. It was a scary move – but one I felt that I needed to take. From the initial market in a church basement to full makers market events at local wineries and breweries – I felt the motivation to keep going. This past Fall I made it into the local and popular Chestnut Hill Fall Arts Festival. A dream come true! It was a day that I will truly remember forever! The continued support of my friends and family – the Mothic9 banners and the official white tent! Excited to say I have also made it into the Chestnut Hill Spring Garden Festival for 2025!

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

When I came full circle back to my creative roots I started out experimenting and giving myself small challenges and deadlines. It look lots of patience and doing and evolving – with an abundance of seam ripping and questionable sewing. It brought me joy in the process of improving my skills and techniques as the driver. Never stop learning and finding some new idea that makes you go “a-ha!”. My technical designer self has helped me see the larger picture on some best practices when taking an artform and putting into a usable, functional and durable space. I’m also WAY more critical from a quality control perspective. Throughout this process the continued support from my friends and family is beyond! They have really come through and given me so much strength to just keep doing and making. Holding gratitude for having the opportunity to create gives me so much inspiration. I have the comparison of my “former life” still there in the back ground reminding me that I am so very lucky.

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?

Even through Mothic9 brings me so much comfort – there are challenges. When something is so personal and you touch every piece and know every fine detail about it – when your vision is rejected or overlooked it can be very discouraging. With Etsy I continue to press on and make the best shop I possibly can because I have control over some aspects. And for those I’m going to strive to hit the marks and work the algorithms and hope that evolves into sales – consistent sales at some point. The craft markets have their own challenges. There are two local juried events that I have laser focused on and wanted to be a part of. It’s difficult when they are juried events that you work really hard polishing your brand and stepping up your social media presence so you can be accepted – but ultimately you are not. All that work to elevate was not in vain. It pushed me into new heights and out of comfort zones. I’ve also learned to be thankful for the events that I am accepted in and to see the positive reaction my work brings. The creative spirit is alive and well for many and it is a beautiful thing! I love seeing the next generation, including my daughter, embrace the art of handwork. I’ll keep creating, because the process itself is what truly matters—that’s what makes it a labor of love.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mothic9studio.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mothic9/
• Other: https://mothic9studio.etsy.com