Rosalie’s Art Career: A Year in the Making 🎨✨

Turning 25 today, and I wanted to let you into a small part of my journey…

How It All Started 🌱

A year and a half ago, I graduated with absolutely no idea what would come next.

I moved into my mom’s home in Venice Beach, California, because after living in Shanghai, I knew Los Angeles was where I needed to be. I applied for international relations jobs. I refreshed my inbox. I waited. And every time something came close, it never quite felt right.

My resume was filled with creative experience. Art followed me everywhere. And even though I kept telling myself that being an artist would be too hard, too uncertain, too unrealistic, I kept ending up back in the art world anyway.

That summer, a few commissions came in. Nothing huge. Nothing guaranteed. But enough that I decided to give art a real chance. The job market was terrible anyway, so I figured, why not follow my dreams?

Since then, I’ve launched my LLC, built my business piece by piece, and moved into my perfect little bungalow just one mile from my mom. Life feels smaller in some ways—and much bigger in others.

Looking back, it’s rewarding. Living it is hard.

Some weeks, I have commissions but no inspiration. Other weeks, I have inspiration but no idea what comes next. Being my own boss means everything depends on me. The good days, the slow days, the quiet days, they’re all mine.

But my art is not just a job.

It’s my personality on canvas.It’s the world I crave.It keeps me grounded, inspired, and connected to myself.

What I Accomplished This Year 🎉🖌️

When I pause and really look at what this year held, I’m proud. Here’s what I built:

• Completed 50+ original pieces of art

• Redesigned and relaunched my entire website

• Opened an online shop

• Started a weekly newsletter

• Officially registered my LLC

• Completed my first mural

• Sold artwork in local Venice shops

• Shipped paintings across multiple states and internationally

• Created my own stationery, calendars, and other products

None of it happened overnight. All of it happened because I kept showing up.

What I’m Working On Right Now ✍️🌙

Right now feels full, but in a quiet, evolving way.

I’m finishing a holiday gift painting that I’ll be sharing after the season. I’m starting a new commission involving three custom skate decks (which feels very Venice and very fun). I’ve been traveling more this month, which has limited my painting time, but expanded my perspective.

I’m also in conversations for another upcoming commission and working on a large-scale painting based on a drawing I made years ago. I’m reconnecting with my old work, my monsters, and the characters that first pulled me into this world. It feels like revisiting an old friend.

Looking Ahead to 2026 🌅🗓️

Next year, I want to stretch.

I plan to reach out to more galleries and additional shops. I want to seek out collaborations that feel thoughtful and aligned. And I’m beginning to shape a new series. It’s one that explores China through the eyes of an American, blending memory, place, and the versions of myself that lived there.

I don’t have everything figured out. But I’ve learned that I don’t need to.

I just need to keep creating.Keep following what feels honest.And keep building a world I want to live in, one painting at a time.

Thank you for coming on this journey with me. 💛

With love and color,

 Rosalie

 🎨 @Rosaliearttt