Rachal A Duggan has been creating wonderfully weird, hand-drawn art for over a decade. The illustrator behind RADIllustrates turns illustrations — like a saxophone-playing shrimp and her famous booty portraits — into pieces of art that earn a permanent spot on your fridge.
Busy Beaver has been proud to be her custom merch partner for over ten years, and we're so excited to introduce her to you. Read on to hear how she turned a 2020 layoff into a full-time art career, why she'll never trade paper for an iPad, and what's brewing in her sketchbook next.
Busy Beaver: Your artistic beginnings stem from your father as an artist. Was there a specific moment when you realized this was going to be your career path?
RAD: Truthfully, I never thought it would be fully possible so I spent about 12 years working full-time jobs and moonlighting as an illustrator. It was when I lost my job in 2020 that I decided to give it my full attention. Six years later, I'm still a full-time artist.
BB: Do you have any advice for people starting on this journey?
RAD: In my experience, it takes a lot of time and trial and error. Something that may work for you now (as in, make money) may not work next year. Be ready to ride the waves of uncertainty and flow into new territory. Change is constant! But you have to stick with it to learn how to adapt.
BB: Your love of drawing butts. Where did that start, and why do you think people find so much joy and relatability in that specific "cheeky" subject matter?
RAD: It's so funny because I get that question the most! Right out of art school, I began doing vendor pop-ups and thought it would be smart to offer live-drawing alongside selling my illustrated merch. I created a weird illustration menu and booty portraits were on the list. Much to my surprise, people wanted that item the most! What started as a silly experiment turned into a strong area of my business.
BB: You've built an online shop and a snail mail club to share your designs with the world in a physical way. What's the most rewarding part of seeing an illustration turn into a tangible product — like a magnet, a print, or a sticker — that someone chooses to keep in their home?
RAD: I am huge on tangible items! I don't even draw on an iPad. I draw on paper with pens and markers. That may make me seem like a dinosaur, but there's so much freedom and imagination in grabbing physical supplies and allowing your creativity to flow without a battery charge or an application dictating how you use tools. I love creating an illustration and then imagining how it will be turned into a postcard or sticker or print or can cooler or ornament. The entire goal is to make people want to hang on to an item because it's fun to look at or have in their space. Being old school, I love snail mail and sending weird fun stuff to my snail mail club members is awesome.
BB: What made you choose Busy Beaver to help bring your illustrations to life, and what do you look for in a production partner?
RAD: I cut my teeth as an illustrator in Chicago, and I've been using Busy Beaver for buttons, magnets, and stickers for over a decade. I love that it's environmentally conscious, woman-owned, and the products are excellent quality.
BB: You don't just stop at single illustrations, you also create books, zines, and activity books. What draws you to these longer-form projects, and how do you want people to feel when they're flipping through (or coloring in!) your work?
RAD: I am pretty big on interactive art so making zines and coloring books and teaching drawing workshops where people have to participate is key. Nothing I make is too precious. I like seeing how people work with my zines and create their own art in the process.
BB: When you're not sketching butts, making zines, and creating wonderful characters to put on merch, you work on branding and editorial projects. How do you maintain your aesthetic while still meeting a client's specific professional goals?
RAD: I feel fortunate in that most clients who come to me already like my work and style. I also mostly work with small to medium clients and they tend to be more flexible and willing to give me creative authenticity. Editorial projects have been scarce due to the changing landscape but clients who want to do some fun branded items still find me and I enjoy working with them!
BB: Our Head of Marketing is a big believer in manifestation, and we know you are too! If we could help you put it out into the universe right now, what is your absolute "dream project" or collaboration?
RAD: Yes, I'm a big believer in pitching yourself and asking for work – sometimes you have to and you have to be OK with being ghosted and/or rejected. I'd love to work with a coffee company to illustrate an eye-catching label! Also, I've put a lot of effort into destigmatizing periods so working with a period product company would be really cool.
BB: You read it here, Beavers. Help Rachal’s manifestations come true!
BB: What is currently living in your head or your sketchbook that hasn't been brought to life yet? Is there a concept you're just waiting for the right moment to unleash?
RAD: Usually, I have tons of comic ideas in my head. As in, making a comic series about another layer of grief, being an introvert – slice of life stuff. As everything becomes so fake (ai), I'm craving more authenticity. What makes us human. Sharing experiences.
BB: What else, if anything, would you like Busy Beaver fans to know about you?
RAD: I have a full online store full of custom portrait options, booty portraits, fun printed merch, zines, and art prints! I also have a Patreon where folks can support my work monthly. I'm an independent artist who creates for the love of drawing. I'm not represented by an agency and creating authentic art is my top priority. Hire me! Keep human alive by supporting my work :)
Ready to make something worth keeping?
Rachal's work is proof that the best merch is the kind that creates an authentic connection. Something you actually want to hold on to. Whether you're turning your own illustrations into custom stickers, custom sticker sheets, or custom buttons, we want to help bring your designs to life.
Start Your Custom Sticker Sheet Order Today!
This month, we're tucking a free Nature Rocks sticker sheet designed by Rachal into every Busy Beaver order. To see more of her work and snag a spot in her snail mail club, visit radillustrates.com and follow along on Instagram @RADIllustrates.
