The Things I Keep (and the Things I File) 💼✨

It’s only the end of February, yet somehow it already feels like the dreaded tax season has arrived. This time of year is typically slower for me, which makes sense because art is not always seen as essential in the same way as food, water, and shelter. (Though personally… I think it’s pretty essential. 😉)

Despite the looming presence of spreadsheets and forms, things are not nearly as quiet as they were last year. I still have a commission in progress. Full transparency: I have been taking my time on it since there was not a firm deadline, which is not always my best habit. I was also just commissioned again, which I am very grateful for. So while it is “tax season,” it is not exactly dull.

That said, I have officially entered business mode. This means filing my annual report, making sure my QuickBooks expenses and sales are up to date, and tackling all the less glamorous but very necessary behind-the-scenes work. It has also pushed me to keep revamping my online presence by posting more on Pinterest, adding new work to my Etsy and website shop, and continuing the never-ending journey of search engine optimization.

Revamping old art → new life 💘

Alongside refreshing my digital world, I have also been revisiting older pieces in the studio. The piece I recently sold was originally a gift for an ex-boyfriend, and another piece I just listed began as a gift for an ex as well…(lol)

Rather than letting those paintings collect dust, I added gloss and layered hearts over the old initials. Voilà. They have been transformed into pieces ready for a new story. Now they can be customized for someone’s current loved one instead. Why let good paintings go to waste?

If you have something special in mind, I am always happy to customize. 💕

Strawberries, collage, and color mixing 🍓

Last week I also carved out some time just to play. I painted strawberries, experimented with collage, and spent time mixing my own colors, which has been very satisfying lately.

The strawberry piece originally had glitter, which I have learned is not my friend. I ended up covering the glitter with paper flowers, and honestly, I am much happier with the result now. Sometimes the fix becomes the best part.

The Things I Keep — continuing the series 🏡

I am also continuing my series The Things I Keep. The first painting featured the shelves of objects I love in my home, and I have decided to fully lean into this theme. My home is such a reflection of my personality. Everyone who visits says it feels “very Rosalie,” so it feels natural to keep exploring it in paint.

For this second piece, I started by mixing my own greens for the background, which I am excited about. I have been painting in the same medium for several weeks now. This is unusual for me since I usually love to switch things up, but I am enjoying staying with it and going deeper.

What’s next ✍️

This week I am also getting back into drawing on fabric in preparation for an upcoming commission. I will be working on hand-drawn jean jackets that I plan to release for sale, and of course I will be offering custom options too.

As always, thank you for being here and following along with all the studio shifts, both glamorous and not so glamorous. 💗

With love and color,

Rosalie

🧧 Year of the Fire Horse & Studio Updates

Happy Chinese New Year and happy belated Valentine’s Day ❤️

Welcome to the Year of the Fire Horse. To sum up what lies ahead, I’ll borrow a quote that feels especially fitting: “rapid change, fresh opportunities, personal growth, and a faster pace of life.”

As a Golden Dragon born in 2000, I’ve always loved my zodiac sign. I first learned the story of the Chinese zodiac when I was five years old at Waddell Language Academy in Charlotte, North Carolina. I was part of the very first year of the Chinese immersion program, not just at my school but in the entire state.

Outside of English classes a few times a week, every subject was taught in Mandarin throughout elementary school. Science, math, history (Chinese history, not American), and even the Pledge of Allegiance each morning were all spoken in Mandarin. It was not easy. I remember at least two hours of homework a night as a little kid and carefully practicing stroke order so I would never write a character incorrectly.

But Chinese New Year was always magical. Every year I performed, wore a beautiful red qipao, and celebrated with the most delicious food. Dumplings were my favorite for good fortune, and spring rolls symbolized wealth. It remains one of my most special traditions.

🎨 A Side Project That Became the Main Focus

I recently finished the piece I originally called my “side project,” though it quickly became my main focus. I absolutely love it. The colors feel unique, the shadows are soft and intentional, and Mooncake sits perfectly in the center. It feels complete.

Now that it’s finished, I’m stepping back into commission mode and returning to painting dogs. I’m genuinely excited to shift back into technical focus after fully satisfying my creative instincts with this piece.

Sometimes you need both.

💌 A Valentine’s Surprise

Last week I also packaged and shipped out an older piece titled First Date. It sold just in time for Valentine’s Day, and I am almost certain it was gifted to someone special.

There is something incredibly meaningful about knowing that work created years ago can still bring joy today. Art really does live many lives.

新年快乐！恭喜发财！ 🧧✨

With love and color,

Rosalie

Side Quests, Sea Gems, and Valentine’s Day

Happy Valentine’s Day 💘

Happy almost Valentine’s Day, everyone. A day filled with love, the smell of roses, whimsy, and everything pink and red. I can’t wait to dress head-to-toe in Valentine colors, as always.

If you’re still looking for a last-minute gift for your loved one, reach out as soon as possible and I’ll do my best to make it happen 💝

I celebrated a little early this year. This past Saturday, my boyfriend took me to one of our Venice favorites, Dudley Market, where we shared what might honestly be the best cheeseburger, fries, oysters, and mussels. I also got to wear my grandmother’s vintage jacket, adorned with heart buttons, a red ribbon that ties into a bow in the back, and colorful embroidered flowers along the pockets. It felt very on-theme.

From Digital Mermaid to Wooden Magic 🧜‍♀️✨

Last week, I took a brief intermission from my personal and commissioned work to create a special piece for my mom. I originally designed this artwork as a digital illustration to use on her shipping boxes, but she wanted to bring it to life and have it greet everyone who enters her home.

The result is a painted wooden oval panel featuring mermaid versions of my mom and her lovely Rottweiler, Violet 🐾💙 The piece is finished with seashells collected from the shores of Venice and a few pink gems for extra pizzazz. It will be hanging on her door later this month, and I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out.

Studio Updates & Side Quests 🎨🐕

Commissioned dog portraits are coming along. Not as fast as I’d like, thanks to many side quests, but steady progress is being made. As all artists know, every day is full of them.

As for my larger piece that will be part of a new series, there has been exciting movement there as well. It’s looking like Mooncake may be making a much bigger appearance than originally planned 👀🌙

More details on all of these pieces coming next week.

In Loving Memory of Uncle Fred 🤍

I wanted to take a moment to honor my Great Uncle Fred, who recently passed.

I never met my paternal grandfather, and I lost my paternal grandmother at a very young age, so Uncle Fred and Aunt Lou always felt like my grandparents. I spent many summer nights and holidays with them, sharing southern home-cooked meals made by my dad and brother and watching the Carolina sunsets.

They had an extensive collection of birdhouses that endlessly inspired my artistic eye. As people, they were some of the kindest and most intelligent I’ve known. Fred had a gift for humor and always knew how to lighten the mood and keep smiles on everyone’s faces. Like Lou, he stayed curious about the world and always kept up with what I was creating. There was never a piece of news or idea that passed over their heads, and I never stopped learning from them.

Below is a piece I created for their anniversary.I love you, Fred.

With love and color,

Rosalie