See more of Rosie’s work at www.rosiecunningham.artweb.com
Being a painter
Please give us a few words of introduction about yourself
Hello I’m Rosie and I am an established abstract artist. My paintings have sold to customers from the UK, France, Italy, Australia and Lanzarote.
When did you decide to pursue painting as a career?
I took up painting semi-professionally in 2002.
What training did you have?
I attended Plymouth College of Art and Design.
What has been the high point of your career so far?
When I sold my first painting. I was so excited that from a whole gallery of exhibited paintings someone had chosen mine.
General Questions
What’s your favourite quote?
Less is More…
Who is your favourite artist?
Wassili Kandinsky.
What are you aiming for?
To become a full time painter.
How will you get there?
I guess like all successful artists by art work and application to my art.
Is anything holding you back?
Probably my own lack of self belief.
You and painting
What feelings or reactions do you hope to arouse in people who view your work? Are you ever surprised by reactions that you get?
I want them to be drawn in and use their imagination to take them on a journey.
From start to finish, how long does it take for you to create your work?
My work starts with the inspiration from an outside source which triggers images in my mind. Once this process begins I feel compelled to paint the images. The painting process is sporadic and can take days even weeks to execute until I am satisfied that the shapes and colours truly capture the image.
What music do you like to listen to when you work?
Music is very often the inspriation for my paintings I listen mainly to blues, jazz and classical. I am currently listening to a CD of Ciurlionis given to me by a Lithuanian friend.
What are you working on next? Any future plans or projects in the pipeline that we should look out for?
I am currently working on portraits (but that could change if the mood takes me onto another project!!)
Being inspired by painting
Who (living or dead) inspires you? and why?
My mother who is no longer with me always insprired me. Her faith in me never wavered, she was my safety blanket. I am also inspired by Ciurlionis his music and paintings are both so intricately linked together they cannot fail to inspire.
What feelings, subjects or concepts inspire you as a painter?
As I have said music is an inspiration but sometimes it is a moment, something I see or feel that want to cherish and capture for eternity.
What is your favourite work that you’ve produced so far and why?
My music series that is exhibited on my website is a current favourite.
a painter’s advice
For those thinking about turning a passion for painting into a career, could you give any advice?
Believe you can do it…
Any tips on how to get your work seen and get the commissions coming in?
I think the internet is a gift to anyone wanting worldwide exposure for their work.
