Monroe County
Painter
Rosie Rivas Rowell is an unknown when it comes to the world of art…
Her birth town is Monroeville, Alabama. She feels blessed to have reached the age of 64. Her Mama would say that she was the one with the silent voice, and yet she was heard. Rosie fell in love with colors, shapes, and forms at a very young age. She didn't just see shapes and forms; she saw all the details and how dark and light mirrored each other. At the age of 15 she started an early morning ritual while her home was silent and still. She would sit at the dinner table, take out one of the black and white encyclopedias and with paper and pencil, slowly teach her right hand how to follow her eyes to draw what she saw.
Money was tight and, in this way, she was helping her parents out by learning a skill through being self-taught. Rosie married at age 19 to a Vietnam Marine Veteran who was her friend and the love of her life.
When you are raising a family, time and money are limited. Her love of art was placed on the back burner until now. Her studies of art only consist of what her eyes and heart have taught her and from the learning of other artists as they share their knowledge. Her biggest inspiration was her Sweet Mama. She made a promise to her Mama that she would not give up on her passion for art and she has never broken a promise. Rosie has used oils and acrylics to express her art. She only paints in detail, that is how her eyes see our earth. Rosie has used oils and acrylics on surfaces such as metal, wood, canvas, plastic, and currently on glass.