Meet Rhiannon Rosenbaum | Abstract Artist and Art Curator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rhiannon Rosenbaum and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rhiannon, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I was raised by my Grandparents. My Grandmother was a landscape painter, she put a paint brush in my hand as soon I was capable of holding onto it. My Mother lived with us while I was growing up which was extremely difficult. She was a very unstable and abusive person. As I entered my teens I had a lot of anger, disappointment and pain I was cooping with and I needed a way to deal with the constant anxiety that plagued my every step. And that’s when art became essential in my life. For me it was a refuge, a safe place to express all of the things I was feeling but unable to articulate. That was about 25 years ago now and I still express myself through my paintings. I honestly don’t know what kind of person I would have become with art in my life.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m an Abstract Artist, I work mostly in Oil and Acrylic. Before I begin painting I check in with my heart and mind. I ask myself what emotions I am experiencing? What have I been thinking about lately? A particular poem or song lyric? I use a lot of songs as inspiration in my work. What am I experiencing spiritually? I bring what I discover into what I’m painting, as I choose colors, as I choose the organization of the piece and as I create an interesting rhythm for the eye to follow, my inner life informs my work. Getting to where I am today has been extremely challenging. I have had so many set-backs, failures and disappointments. My biggest challenge has been creating a balance between my work and managing my chronic pain. But I have learned a lot over the years. For starters, If you think you could use some counseling-get it, don’t wait. Set realistic goals for yourself-many artists can paint a lot more than I can, so what! I paint roughly 3 hours a day 6 days a week, that’s what I can reasonably do with my pain, so that’s what I do. Stay disciplined-I make sure I use those painting hours wisely and I don’t allow interruptions.
Perseverance is a virtue for a reason. When the nerve pain made it to where I could no longer use my dominant hand to paint I learned to use my non-dominant one.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
For starters, I’d definitely take my bestie to the Dallas Arboretum, I love it there! So much artistic inspiration. Then we’d hit The French Room, absolutely beautiful experience. Enjoy the finest Tea, Champaign, and finger foods in a gorgeous setting. Then off to the Dallas Museum of Art where we can gaze upon some of the worlds greatest artworks.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
This shoutout absolutely belongs to my husband and best friend, John Rosenbaum. We’ve been married for 15 years and he has been my consistent cheerleader! He supported me when I went to art school, when I wanted to paint full-time and through all of the ups and downs that come with being a creator. His job has been harder than most in his position; I have chronic pain and illness that I struggle with daily which as you can imagine makes painting daily a real challenge, it means my lows are super low. He has supported me and been with me through all of the physical and mental suffering that I deal with year after year.