The Art of Rest
Go behind the scenes with the illustrator of Move, Rest, Recover
ICYMI, my new book Move, Rest, Recover is out this month and one of its most special features is the illustrations by artist Rebekah MacKay.
Even with so much science affirming the importance of rest and so many tools available to support us, do you feel rested? Well, do you? There’s an abundance of research telling us we’re overdoing in life and ever-increasing resources at the ready to help us recharge, and yet recovery remains one of the most underutilized tools available to us.
One of the reasons I created Move, Rest, Recover is to bridge this gap, knowing that rest is, in reality, equal parts science and art. There’s no universal prescription that suits everyone’s unique needs for recovery.
Rest is a creative practice.
When I was conceptualizing this practical guide to rest and recovery last year I knew it needed to offer more than stats about burnout — it needed to spark the kind of internal connecting of the dots that comes from slowing down, breathing deeply, and paying attention. I wanted to equip readers with intuitive visual cues to accompany their journey to creating a truly impactful restorative practice. Knowing that rest is non-linear and personal, I felt that organic reference points comprised of line drawings throughout the book could offer practitioners signposts on the journey.
And I knew instantly the woman who could provide this guidance — artist Rebekah MacKay.
Just as rest is a process, so was the making of this book and I hope that Rebekah’s generous notes on her own process of making art for you inspires you to consider the art of your rest practice.
Q: What inspired your creation of art for Move, Rest, Recover?
My art for Move, Rest, Recover was inspired by my original ink line drawings of the female figure. During my BFA in illustration, I developed a loose, imperfect ink drawing style. I’ve always been drawn to the work of Matisse, particularly his fluid line drawings of objects and figures, which influenced my own approach.
Q: Practicality is a key theme, the connective tissue of the book. How did you bring this forward in your art?
When Erin gave me the initial brief, I began by sketching intuitively with India ink—doodling figures and forms outside in California, simply playing with shapes and warming up my illustration style. While I primarily work as a mixed-media painter with abstract and figurative subjects on canvas, this project required me to re-engage my line drawing skills. To make my process more practical, I attended life drawing sessions in Colorado with a sculptor friend, where I posed models in positions that aligned with the book’s themes.
When I officially moved back to France, I refined the sketches digitally from the French Riviera. So while my process began somewhat impractically, traveling between California, Colorado, and France, it never lost the “move” element of Move, Rest, Recover. By combining this mobile, exploratory approach with digital precision, I achieved cohesive illustrations that balanced creativity with time efficiency.
Q: Tell us about your process for creating the art.
My process started with freehand ink sketches, where I explored lines and form organically. Once I had a foundational style, I integrated life drawing studies to build accuracy into the figures. Finally, after my move to France, I transitioned to digital refinement to make the illustrations adaptable for revisions. The combination of analog spontaneity and digital precision gave the final art both warmth and practicality.
Q: How does rest inspire and inform your art making?
Rest is essential for creativity—it’s the fuel that keeps the artistic process alive. Without it, I’d burn out. I think of art like training for a race. You need balance: periods of intense creation, followed by recovery and reflection. Just as rest is vital for athletes, it’s crucial for artists. I take breaks to absorb new inspiration, clear my mind, and slow down. Right now, I’m in a quiet village in Burgundy with limited wi-fi, letting myself unwind. This space to pause recharges me. When I return to creating, I’m often flooded with fresh energy and ideas. Without rest, I’d end up producing uninspired work — it’s that simple.
Q: Do you have a favorite illustration from the book? Why?
Oddly, one of my favorite illustrations is the “Feel Your Feet” drawing (pg. 148). It’s such a simple concept, yet illustrating the sensation of feeling one’s feet presented a unique challenge. Feet are so ordinary, but I’m happy with how the final piece evokes the intended feeling — it even makes me notice my own feet when I look at it! That interplay between image and physical awareness is what I love most about it.
Rebekah MacKay is an artist based in France, and the illustrator of Move, Rest, Recover. Discover her inspiring work at rebekahmackay.com and follow her on Instagram @rebekahmackay.
Well done Erin and Rebekah, it’s a beautiful book!📕