Rosanne Coty

A FEW THINGS ABOUT THE ARTIST

1. What do you do when you’re not making art? (Day job etc...).

Not making art? That's crazy! Art is second only to family. Carving out enough time to create art, and photography, is essential to my being. My creativity also comes out in my party planning, cooking, and gardening. I strive to bring beauty to this world, and to make sure family and friends know that they are special.

2. Why do you make art?

I cannot explain it. As a young child I was using “learn to draw” books and studying light and shadow. I was completely self-motivated. As a college student I knew what I wanted to pursue. As an adult, I continue to push myself. I like to try new techniques, new mediums, new approaches. My path toward success involves trial and error. It's amazing how one simple change in a piece of art can completely change it. Some magic can never be revived. But, other changes can open a whole new level. I like a challenge.

3. What inspires you?

Beauty in the natural world inspires me. My husband has always asked me “What color is the sky in your world?” Even though I am inspired by nature, I seem to see it a little differently than others. I'm big into personification. People, inanimate objects, nature, they tend to look like, or remind me of someone, or speak to me in some unheard way. It's my job as an artist to have them make sense to the viewer.

4. What/who are your influences?

At a young age, my grandma had a best friend, named Gertrude Sim. She was my first art influence. My grandma's house was full of Gertie's work. It was a proud day for me when my grandma told me my work was better than Gertie's. I love Picasso for his many phases, and his signature! I love Dali for his creative ingenuity. Gerhard Richter for his photography and late 20th century art styles. Mira Lehr for promoting ecology and renewable energy and creating wearable pieces. Jean-Michel Basquiat, Photographer Francesca Stern Woodman. Georgia O'Keefe; enough said.

5. If you could meet anyone dead or alive who would it be?

There is no one specific artist that I would like to meet. I would love to meet more women artists who essentially blazed a trail for me. Women that never got credit for their work, but had credit given to a man. The stories they would tell!