🌞 Sun, Ducklings, and Making Things Happen

☁️ May Light (Before the Gloom)

It’s May 🌿 For most of you, that means spring is fully here… sunshine, warmth, flowers blooming everywhere. In Southern California, though, we’re entering a slightly different season: May Gray (and soon, June Gloom). Because of that, I’ve been trying to soak up as much sun as possible while I can. Long walks, working in the light that pours through my windows (I don’t take that for granted), and daily strolls through the Venice canals have become part of my routine.

My boyfriend and I recently discovered something very important: nine ducklings 🐥 Every day around noon, we stop at what is named “the duck park.” The canals are where they swim and wander, but this little area is where the momma duck gathers all her babies like clockwork. It’s become part of our daily routine, and honestly, anything that cute instantly becomes inspiration for my art. I’m really hoping the gray doesn’t last too long this year because I’ve realized I function like a west coast succulent… I need sun to thrive 🌵

🧵 Tombolo Submission

Last week, I submitted my application to Tombolo, and I wanted to share a bit about the design I created. The application asked how I would translate one of my garments into their shirts, and as a very visual thinker, I needed to actually create the piece before I could describe it.

I designed a soft green terry cloth garment with an all-over bamboo texture inspired by one of my paintings. Instead of printing the artwork directly, I reimagined it through functional details. The blue monsters appear embroidered and peek out from the collar and pocket, while Mahjong tiles physically stick out of a large front hand pocket. I added colorful ribbed trim at the sleeves and hem, along with a flower-shaped zipper pull so the entire piece feels whimsical and character-driven from every angle.

It’s a highly competitive opportunity, so I’m keeping expectations realistic, but regardless of the outcome, this piece deserves to exist and I fully plan on making it happen ✨

Commission Season 🎁

With Mother’s Day right around the corner and Father’s Day soon after, I’ve been thinking a lot about gifts. I’ve always been someone who makes things by hand, and that hasn’t changed. My parents basically have entire gallery walls of “Rosalie originals” at this point 🖼️

From cards to drawings to matchboxes to paintings, I’ve always loved finding new ways to make something personal. At this point, I’d confidently say Mother’s and Father’s Day gifts are a specialty of mine, so if you’re looking for something meaningful and one-of-a-kind, I have that covered 💌

⚖️ Finding Balance ⚖️

After a weekend of music, this week is all about balance. Balancing different mediums, moving between digital illustrations for a book, drawing on bags for gifts, tufting (with the correct yarn this time), editing art videos, and continuing to expand my online shop and presence. It’s a lot of switching between creative and business modes, but I’m leaning into it and figuring out what that rhythm looks like.

🎶 Weekend Reset

This past weekend I went to the BeachLife Festival in Redondo Beach where I got to see icons like Duran Duran and Sheryl Crow, along with some of my favorites like Flipturn and Peach Pit. I am completely exhausted, but it was exactly the kind of reset I needed to step back into work mode feeling inspired again.

With love and color,

Rosalie

🧶 Syrup, Shag Rugs & Sunny Little Projects 🍓☀️

🧵 Tufting Trouble

Lately, I have found myself signing up for every art class I possibly can. Last week I learned how to tuft and this past weekend I learned how to make fake food. 

The fake food class was hosted at a Japanese café which made the experience even more fitting because I spent so much time admiring fake food displays while traveling in Japan, especially in Osaka. Every restaurant window looked like a tiny surreal art installation. Seeing how detailed and realistic everything was made me realize that fake food is such an untapped art form in the U.S. and now I fear I may become deeply invested in it. 

I made a stack of adorable fake pancakes that somehow look very real. The best part is that they are functional too. The whipped cream top lifts off to reveal a little storage container inside. I’m thinking it will become home to tiny treasures like my collection of wine stoppers that include ice-cream ones, matchbooks, or other tiny objects.

Following my tufting class, I immediately bought a tufting kit. Thankfully my boyfriend agreed to split the cost with me because these things are no joke. This means there will probably be far too many rugs in our future.

I spent most of my designated “productive” art time last week completely consumed by making my second rug instead of focusing on the work I was technically supposed to be doing. But honestly, art is art.

This second rug did come with an important lesson though. Never trust the cute plushy yarn at Michaels. It may feel dreamy and magical in the aisle but the second you touch the rug... boom. Shed city. Blow on it? Even worse. Tiny fibers flying through the air like dandelion fluff. So instead of becoming a functional rug, this piece will now live its best life framed in a shadow box as an art piece. You live and you learn.

🍒 New Shop Updates

On the note of tiny objects and collectible things, all of my custom merchandise has officially arrived!

I now have new prints from my recent series, “The Things I Keep”, along with stickers, stationery, and custom matchboxes. The prints and stationery are already live in the shop and the stickers and matchboxes will be added this week along with a brand new mini painting.

The minis are also still available at a reduced price of $99 for a limited time!

🌞 Tombolo Dreams

I’m currently applying to the Artist Residency Program at Tombolo which feels incredibly exciting.

Tombolo describes their clothing as “escape wear to transport you to a sunnier time, place, or state of mind,” which honestly feels like something I would want my artwork to do too. Their pieces are filled with whimsy, character, and creativity in a way that feels rare in clothing today.

While attending NYU in New York, I lived only a few blocks from the store and would constantly stop in just to admire everything. The clothing genuinely felt like wearable art. I especially love the terry cloth pieces and the way they transform playful ideas into details like buttons, pockets, collars, and patterns. It feels imaginative, nostalgic, and very aligned with the kind of worlds I try to create through my own work.

📚 Secret Illustrations

As for other projects, I’m currently illustrating another children’s book for someone which has been very exciting. I’m keeping most of the details secret for now, but I’ll definitely share more in a future newsletter once everything develops a bit further.

For now, my days have mostly consisted of paint, yarn fuzz, resin pancakes, tiny paper goods, and trying not to accidentally start ten new art hobbies at once.

With love and color,

Rosalie

When It All Starts to Click

Little Moments That changed Everything 🌱✨

Tax season is always a slower time for art, especially the week of tax day. I know a lot of artists feel this. Somehow, in the middle of that, I found myself surrounded by new energy.

I had a chance encounter with another artist around my age, and it made me realize how much I’ve been missing being around people who are also trying to build a life in art. We talked about the highs and the lows, and it felt grounding in a way I didn’t realize I needed. It made me think about what going back to school for art could actually offer me. Not just technical growth, but community, connection, and support.

I’ve spent a lot of time building my practice on my own, and while that independence has shaped me, I’m starting to understand that I need more shared space and dialogue. Due to that, I’ve decided to apply to MFA programs this fall. If everything aligns, I’ll be starting a masters program in fine art in fall 2027.

A Tufting Class, Mandarin, and a Reminder 🧶🐱🌸

I also signed up for a tufting class and ended up being taught by a Chinese artist whose main profession is teaching art classes in Mandarin. I didn’t expect that at all. I made a rug of Mooncake sitting on a mushroom. It was my first time tufting so it’s not perfect, but I loved it. I actually just ordered my own beginner kit because I want to keep going.

(This is not the final piece)

My original design had Mooncake’s name written in Chinese, 月饼, and when the teacher asked how I knew that, we ended up speaking in Mandarin for most of the class. We talked about art, language, and my time in Shanghai. It felt like reconnecting with a part of myself I had been neglecting.

At the end, I showed her my work and she offered me a job. That moment really stayed with me. It reminded me how specific and unique my experience is, and how much of my style comes from it. Building a consistent visual language is something I’ve worked toward for a long time, and it felt really affirming to see that recognized.

The Geffen Galleries Opening 🏛️🎨

On Saturday night, I went to the David Geffen Galleries opening at LACMA. It's been in the works for 20 years, and you can feel that. every detail, from the architecture to the curation, felt intentional and expansive.

It reminded me how long it takes to build something meaningful, especially in art. There’s so much time, patience, and trust involved. It made me realize that building a career as an artist, creating something great, and being recognized for it all takes time. A lot of time. But it also reminded me that it’s worth it, and that I’m committed to that process and to my own path.

(Me and my Mom)

As for the art, I was especially drawn to the work from East Asia, and what stood out most was the range of materials and textures. It pushed me to think about expanding my own practice technically and experimenting more with surfaces and form.

Minis, but Better🖌️💫

For the next few weeks, my mini series are more affordable than ever. All minis are now $99 and I’m continuing to add new ones this week.

It's been really nice to return to a fine point brush and paint without reference. These pieces come almost entirely from my imagination, from that whimsical and more playful part of my brain that only shows up when I let it.

I also have prints, stickers, matchboxes, and more coming soon to the shop.

Auction is Live ✨🐾

My work is officially in the Mint Auction:

“Custom pet portrait by Rosalie’s Art

A hand painted acrylic portrait on canvas, available in 20 x 20 or 16 x 20 inches. We'll work together to capture your pet and create something that feels personal and meaningful. All you need to do is send a few reference photos.

Shipping is the responsibility of the purchaser.”

browse here:Mint Auction

As Always 💌

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With love and color,

Rosalie