rowan rosie
not afraid of pink
abstract artist Rowan Rosie from Glasgow, Scotland is creating art you’ll want to hang in your home
Rowan’s Painting Playlist
Latin and world dance music
Dolly Parton, the Dixie Chicks and Kenny Rogers
Nostalgic music that transports her to a space and time (think 90’s R&B)
Lucia & the Best Boys, a Glasgow band she’s befriended through the local creative community
Classical music
Old-fashioned radio
Podcasts about travel, true-crime, history and life stories
good news- good art doesn’t have to be ostentatious
If your lack of artistic interpretation has ever stopped you from purchasing artwork, you’re in luck. The work of young artist Rowan Rosie is so stunning and mesmerizing, you’ll completely forget to psychoanalyze its meaning. For anyone curious about the inspiration behind these beauties, keep reading.
“If you see a piece of art and you love it, and it makes you feel a certain way, that’s enough and you’ve got it and you’ve understood it.”
-Rowan Rosie
the journey so far
Born in Glasgow, UK, Rowan was artistic and creative from a young age. She was drawn to color and vibrancy, and won a prize for being “best dressed in pink” in high school. Now back in her hometown for the first time in years, Rowan utilized the lockdown period and pandemic restrictions to focus on her art, spend full days in the studio and take her practice full time.
“I love pink. I’m so attracted to it. It’s a warm peachy color that works with other neutrals but also harsh colors.”
melbourne
After four years studying fine art and painting in Scotland at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, Rowan landed her first solo show post-graduate in 2017. At the time she was juggling her studio practice with part-time hospitality work and occasionally volunteering assistance to a range of art workshops, while fulfilling her dreams to travel and experience different cultures. Her itch to journey outside of Europe led her to Melbourne for two years, a time in her life that has profoundly influenced her work and personhood. Rowan’s time in Australia led to the inspiration behind a recently exhibited body of work and her first print series, Lygon, inspired by the streets of Melbourne, Australia.
The collection of 3 key paintings embodies the vibrancy of Melbourne, Australia, titled the Lygon Street Series
Flowing lines, buzz, building and architecture inspired linear strokes
Energy flowing around and giving way to vibrant colors
“I try to convey a place, memory of a place or feeling through my work”
Rowan’s process might surprise you, as she’s often working on 10+ different pieces at once. With oil painting, time to dry is crucial, or else the piece can become muddied. This calls for stopping and starting, and prevents overworking and overthinking on the artistic end of things.
Her canvas’ are self-built, recycled or locally sourced, and her sketchbook is a glimpse inside her mind. It serves as a filing system for important papers, photographs, and the humble beginnings of all her paintings. To flip through it is like flipping through a cartoon coming to life, but instead of an animation it’s an interlude to her craft.
Through it all, she doesn’t plan to stop experimenting. Her studio is her sanctuary, and her safe place to test her limits.
“If you’re not making bad art sometimes, you’re not doing your job right.”
A new print series is coming soon from the artist (but act quick because the first sold out in weeks.) Follow along at @rowanrosiestudio and @novel.brands for updates.
photos by Craig McIntosh @craigrmcintosh & Andrew Low @andyxplores