MEET THE ARTIST
my story
I’m Rosie, an artist who shares her life (and her studio) with Merry and Flora: two spaniels who are equal parts energy and affection. They’re the reason I paint animals, but the story really starts further back…
It began with Spike, our first family dog, an ex-RAF sniffer spaniel who arrived when I was 15. I considered myself entirely a cat person until then; little did I know that was about to change! Through exams, heartbreak, Sundays doing my art homework and everything else, he was there: adventurous, uninhibited and more loving than I knew a friend could be. I was forever changed: happier, bolder, and now in love with dogs as well as cats.
I went on to study Fine Art at Liverpool School of Art and Design, then spent years as a curator working with many artists, galleries and museums. Meanwhile, I kept painting for fun in the background.
In 2020 I finally brought it to the foreground and started painting the animals around me, beginning with Merry and Flora. Out on our walks together, their pure joy and wildness helped me reset my life and take stock of what matters: time together, space to roam, love and friendship.
These days I paint the animals who do for other people what Spike did for me, and what Merry and Flora still do.
My years as a curator, working with artists, galleries and museums
Merry and Flora, where the painting began in 2020
Spike, the ex-RAF sniffer spaniel who started it all
IN THE STUDIO
how I paint
Every portrait is painted by hand in my studio, tucked away in nature. I work in rich, velvety Winsor & Newton gouache on 250gsm heavyweight acid-free paper, chosen so your portrait will last as long as the memories. The grey-toned paper creates a gorgeous contrast: whiskers and furry coats seem to pop off the page. I finish each one with hand-lettering, perhaps their name or a phrase that’s entirely theirs, then wrap it, ready to give.
If that sounds like something your dog or cat deserves, I’d love to hear from you.