Welcome to another edition of our Artist of the Month blog! We are excited to continue to shine a light on the amazing talent that continually captures our attention with their stunning and creative artwork. If you're a fellow artist, a collector, or just appreciate the beauty of art, we guarantee you'll find something to admire and be inspired by.
This month, we are thrilled to introduce you to UK based Wildlife Artist Rosie Smith. We have been in touch with Rosie and asked some questions to find out more about her and her work...
Q. Where have you found inspiration lately?
A. I have been recently inspired by seeing British Wildlife through lots of Travel around the UK. Especially Norfolk, Wales and Scotland.
Q. Is there a piece of art or a project that you are particularly excited about right now?
A. I'm currently painting a young stag and I'm really excited by the use of much thicker oil paint, layered up over time to capture the depth and the spirit of the young buck.
Q. What kinds of tools or references do you like to use when creating artwork?
A. I try to use my own reference photos but if not I'll select images that capture soul with good composition and then add my own artistic license to it. I've started to use palette knives a lot more to spread the paint which can be scary because it means I have to let go of details.
Q. What artists or artworks (from your life or art history) do you admire or consider influential to your work & why?
A. I've always loved Jenny Saville for the truth she conveys in her portraits and her thick use of oils. I try to do the same with wildlife and the thicker the paint the better for adding depth and character.
Q. What advice do you have for other new or aspiring artists?
A. I would say it's really important to see mistakes and rejection as energy to improve and get better. The art world is harsh but if you're determined to do it, you will find your way.
Q. Professionally, hat has been your biggest achievement so far?
A. I would say building a network of collectors of my original art from something that started as a hobby. I also sell a range of Giftware of my paintings on 5 different P and O cruises and I've recently made the sketch for survival shortlist, a competition raising money for endangered species out of 4000 entries.
Q. What is your first memory of creating art?
A. I won an art competition at my primary school at 4 years old when I drew the invisible man, drawing only gloves, a bow tie and a hat (my sister was very annoyed when she spent hours making her creation and won nothing).
Q. How do you spend your time when you’re not creating artwork?
A. I love yoga, but I spend most of my time with my four young children where there's never a dull moment. We all love animals and together we all try to travel as much as possible in search of wildlife and new places.
Q. What work do you most enjoy doing?
A. My favourite part of an art piece is seeing the animal coming to life with layers and layers of paint, always hard work but totally worth it.
Q. What is your dream project?
A. Any projects that raise money for endangered species excites me as there's so much awareness needed to bring issues to the forefront. I also love collaborations and not knowing where my artwork could end up.
It's been an absolute joy getting to know the talented and creative Rosie! With her stunning artworks, Rosie is a true master of her craft. If you want to learn more about Rosie, check out her website and Instagram to find out more and shop her amazing artworks!
Stay tuned for next month's Artist of the Month in September!