"It's not just a brush,
it's an experience.
A ritual. It's life changing
and it's your life."
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TRAVELLING with a SKETCHBOOK By Richie Carter

I could hear the familiar sounds of a conversation happening in French behind me. As soon as I have a moment to let this wash dry, I turn around to greet a couple who have been watching me paint the Salute church in Venice. I make a joke telling them my concerns “why in the world did I decide to take on such a complicated subject such as this church!” I suppose Sargent was ripley inspiring me.

The intricate baroque architecture challenged my ability to simplify yet still capture the feeling of this ornate basilica.

These paintings are a visual journal not only reminding me of places I’ve wandered about the world, but more importantly recording all those intangible, unseen experiences that make up who I am. With each watercolour comes an array of interactions had with friends and strangers alike. These watercolours are conversations with ancient patinated architecture, the hammer and chisel of Michelangelo and Rodin, and the friend sitting across from me in the train as we journey from one side of Italy to the other. They represent visual notes of colour and drawing, providing a window into the way I see the world.

Each one of these pieces remind me of a time that I was fortunate enough to sit for an hour or two in the complete present moment. They show frustration, problem solving, joy, and triumph. Each time I flip through its pages, I am flooded by so many memories. I can smell the fresh rain in Venice or better yet the aroma of espresso wafting through its streets. I get to relive many beautiful moments that have shaped who I am and I am thrilled to share it all.

Richie attended Michelle Dunaway’s and Michael Klein’s workshops here in Yorkshire over the Summer! A new friend for life!

Please visit Richie’s website


Patchings Festival 2019

A chance to meet over 250 Artists, Photographers, Craft Makers and Designers selling and demonstrating. Hands-on-workshops and Art Material offers, all set in 60 Acres of Nottinghamshire Countryside.

Check out last year!


LORI PUTNAM – YORKSHIRE COAST MASTER WORKSHOP

Rosemary & Co are hosting a 5 day outdoor Plein Air Master Workshop on the East Coast of Yorkshire with Lori Putnam from the 5th – 9th June 2019.

We had so many people that were disappointed to miss Lori’s workshop in 2018, we’ve decided to host another workshop with Lori in 2019. Lori’s going to take a break from teaching in 2020.

Throughout the 5 days we will travel each day to different painting spots on the East Coast of Yorkshire, including Whitby, Runswick Bay and Staithes. We will make sure there’s plenty of variety! You will be required to walk – and carry your own things! Make sure you bring compact Plein Air equipment. I can’t carry things for you all! Make sure you wear the correct outdoor walking shoes too!

More information and an itinery will be sent with full addresses of meeting points and locations to paint each day nearer to the workshop. Everywhere around that area is beautiful to paint, trust me!

I will also help people with accomodation choices nearer to the time. This autumn I will head over to the coast and find a nice spot with plenty of B&B’s, hotels and so on so that we can all stay in the same village if we’d like too.

You will need your own transport, but please do not worry about that at this stage. Between a few of us, we should have enough cars to car share. Please let me know on sign up if you need to car share. Although this is not included in the price, if we can work it so we all share lifts, then that will save people hiring extra cars, and you can help the driver with petrol etc on your own.

Packed lunches will be included in this workshop. You must let me know ahead of time if you have any dietary requirements.

We will host an evening meal for everyone one night. Non painting partners are welcome to join for an extra £15 for food and drink.

I will bring brushes, gamsol, paper towels and some paints to sell throughout the week. Since we will not be located at the workshop, supplies will be limited and I will need to know ahead of time if you need me to bring anything specifically. I will bring the bargain basket!!

Each morning we will go out and paint early! Lori will give demonstrations thoughout the week, and offer one-on-one advice each day to the students.

I’ll send materials lists upon sign up, and also the itinery at a later stage.

Get signed up! We won’t be going back to the East Coast of Yorkshire any time soon to host workshops, so this really is a one-off and one not to miss!

I look forward to welcoming you on the Yorkshire coast!

It’s so beautiful there!

Symi

 

 

 


MODERN Day MASTERS – INTERVIEW with CESAR SANTOS

Rosemary and Symi met Cesar in 2016 whilst on a trip to Cuba with 100 other artists. After meeting Cesar for only a few minutes it was clear that they were with a modern day master. Enjoy this interview! 

Santos’ art education is worldly and his work has been seen around the globe, from the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sicily, Italy and the Beijing museum in China to Chelsea and New York. Santos studied at Miami Dade College, where he earned his Associate in Arts degree in 2003.

Cesar then attended the New World School of the Arts and, just before graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, he dropped out to study abroad and to amplify his understanding of art. In 2006, he completed the Angel Academy of Art in Florence. He still visits this beautiful city with his wife. Santos’ work reflects both classical and modern interpretations juxtaposed within one painting. His influences range from the Renaissance to the Masters of the Nineteenth Century to Contemporary Art. With superb technique, he infuses a harmony between the natural and the conceptual to create works that are provocative and dramatic. As a small company we are so proud to have a brush set with Cesar – a dream come true!

cesar 2

 

HOW DID GROWING UP IN CUBA INFLUENCE YOUR WORK?

Growing up in Cuba gave me the ability to seize every opportunity, to not take anything for granted. Communism keeps people from achieving their personal dreams, it forced my family to work hard for very little return. Emigrating from such oppression to a free society where I can enjoy the fruits of my art inspired me to work hard and honestly to better myself.

WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST MOMENT IN YOUR CAREER?
My parents sold their only home and moved to a small apartment in a poor neighbourhood to be able to pay for my classical training in Italy. They never asked for their money back. Nine years into my career I was able to buy them a bigger house and in a better location than their previous one. That was definitely our proudest moment in my career.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE ABOUT MAKING ART YOUR FULL TIME CAREER?
Commit to your Art fully and don’t have a plan B. Make sure you like to be alone for 14 hours a day for the rest of your life in front of a canvas, working, studying and getting better. Take every opportunity that matches your goals and give 100% of your efforts. Don’t mind the people who criticize or don’t like your art. Welcome those who do appreciate it. Develop your personal voice. Make sure your art is not aimed at pleasing your peers, teachers or family.

cesar 3

 

WHO ARE YOUR BIGGEST INSPIRATIONS?
I find myself most inspired when I visit museums, especially collections that show the highest standards of artistic achievement. Every time I encounter technical dexterity allied with a personal vision it gets me motivated to work.

WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF SKETCHBOOKS?
Sketchbooks are the place to rehearse, to test your abilities, to have fun. Sketchbooks are a recollection of who you are and who you have been. For me, a sketchbook is the ability to do art and express myself anywhere I go.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE BRUSHES AND WHY?
I started painting on canvas when I was in high school. I was using whatever the teachers offered in the classrooms. Mainly acrylic paint on bad rough cotton canvas and cheap mass-produced brushes. Then I wondered why it was so difficult to paint! I have come to realize that great tools allow for freedom of expression. It is difficult enough to have a good eye/hand co-ordination, to paint powerful images. The last thing you need is bad tools that get in your way as you paint. I don’t use random brushes anymore, I use Rosemary Brushes. I recently sent them a photo of my dirty brushes to allow people to know what I use to create my portraits. I am glad they have a ready-to-go Cesar Santos Set with my favourites!

cesar 4

 

HOW DO YOU GET IN THE ZONE?
I don’t know how to be out of the zone, my life is my zone! As I go to sleep I think of what to do the next day, as I travel through the day new things come up for the next painting and so on, including and planning to not doing anything some days.

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF A YEAR FROM NOW?
Let me visualize and be specific; I see myself with a newly developed body of work. About two dozen paintings that should exhibit in New York, France and Art Basel. In a year from now I should have about 50 more videos uploaded to my YouTube Channel. In a year I should have increased my strength at the gym as well as in my relationship with my wife. I also want to start dedicating some time to writing comedy, I’ve always made people laugh privately but perhaps is time to test my humour publicly.

IF YOU COULD ONLY PAINT ONE SUBJECT FOR THE REST OF YOUR CAREER, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Wow, we need to get hypothetical here! I would paint women.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO VISIT ROSEMARY AND GIVE YOUR OWN WORKSHOP?
Of course! I would love to witness how the brushes I use are made. It would give a new dimension to my knowledge and experience while I paint with them. I love giving workshops but if you look at my yearly ambitions, I can’t find the time to schedule it in without sacrificing my career plans.

Love you Rosemary, thank you for this invitation!

 

Images courtesy of Cesar Santos. Please visit Cesar’s website at: www.santocesar.com
You can see Cesar’s brush set online at: www.rosemaryandco.com/cesarsantos


Art Materials Live 2018

Art Materials-Live at the NEC Birmingham is the perfect place for all art fans to enjoy a day totally devoted to their hobby. Learn first-hand from the professionals, stock up on fresh supplies and view some stunning displays from well-respected industry experts. There are plenty of FREE Workshops and Demonstrations to take part in that you will be sure to come away having learnt something new!


art-waves-festival-2017

ArtWaves Festival 2017

Rosemary & Co will be represented by our friends at Art Master for the weekend. We will have a table full of brushes, so please pop by and stock up.

Bridlington Spa is once again delighted to announce the return of ArtWaves Festival for it’s third year, taking place on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 May 2017 with an additional fringe programme running from Monday 8 May.

ArtWaves is a visual arts festival which showcases traditional, digital, contemporary and urban art through a vibrant programme curated for all; from the experienced artist to those simply looking to get creative.

The 2017 programme will see the return of artists from previous ArtWaves alongside an elective mix of new artists to create the festival line up. There will be demonstrations from award winning artists, masterclasses, workshops, installations, den building, live street art and much more.

For those with a passion for art there is a number of bookable workshops for varied experience levels in a range of art forms, these are limited capacity and selling quickly so we would advise booking soon.

Those with younger children can have fun with our den building, doodling and other creative drop in sessions whilst completing their Arts Award certificate at the festival.

We are happy to see the return of street art and the urban twist to ArtWaves with a collaborative piece between artists and the community, The Jungle. This will combine the festivals outreach work with the live spray art over the weekend by leading street art artists.

2017 will also see the return of the highly anticipated ArtWaves Open exhibition with the theme, ‘Culture’. This is now live for entries with the closing date of 7 April 2017, all details can be found on the website. There will be a number of cash prizes available and all selected entries will be displayed in The Spa Gallery from Monday 8 May 2017.

The official festival programme will be available shortly. For more information please visit www.bridspa.com/artwaves or email [email protected]

art-waves

 


Art Materials Live 2017

Art Materials-Live at the NEC Birmingham is the perfect place for all art fans to enjoy a day totally devoted to their hobby. Learn first-hand from the professionals, stock up on fresh supplies and view some stunning displays from well-respected industry experts. There are plenty of FREE Workshops and Demonstrations to take part in that you will be sure to come away having learnt something new!


Welcome

The Finest Quality Handmade Artists’ Brushes

Made in England for 39 years

 

Last updated November 2023

Welcome to our blog and website. I’ve been making brushes for 39 years and supplying artists by mail order. I’m fortunate that my trade has allowed me to travel the world both sourcing materials and learning different styles of manufacturing. It’s from these resources that I find my own methods of making brushes and trained my team ‘my way’. I have trained a team of highly skilled brush makers to follow suit. I am passionate about art and I hope this shines through in our products.

In dealing with artists directly, I’m able to offer exactly what you want, in terms of quality, price and delivery. I’m proud to be a small family business, who can extend an ‘old fashioned’ approach to conducting my business. I believe this to be a major strength and although the 21st century offers valuable technology, I feel it is important to remember the courtesies in life, day to day, between each other. With this in mind, if you don’t see what you’re looking for or need any help/advice with your selection, just ask! Myself and my team look forward to being of service and trust my brushes will enable you to express your artistic talent. We have a free mail order catalogue which we are able to ship worldwide and in there all of the brushes are photographed actual size. If you’d like a copy click here and we will send you one with pleasure.

I endeavour to offer a high quality product at a competitive price and if you compare my brushes ‘like for like’ in the high streets shops, we can often be 50-60% cheaper. Our website is secure and all your personal data is confidential, we do not pass any information onto any third party, under any circumstances.

We have an active presence on social media and would invite to look at our Facebook page and Instagram account. You can also find us on Youtube now! You can use the hashtags #rosemaryandco and/or #rosemarybrushes for us to see your work. We also love seeing your brushes when they’ve arrived and in use! Please follow us to see what we are up to and where we are.

My daughter Symi joined the family business 10 years ago after gaining a Law Degree and enjoys her role here as Sales and Marketing Director. She is particularly active on the road and the USA and many of you will have already met her when we travel. I’m proud of the energy she has brought to the company and the many new ideas she eagerly puts forward. Symi shares my passion for art and is the best Sales and Marketing Director I could have ever wished for. She goes above and beyond to tell the world who we are and where we are. How many folks go to work with their best friend? I’m blessed. Symi has certainly taken the company forward and we are top of our game both in social media and public relations. We also offer lots of workshops each year but there is more information to be found on the Workshops in Yorkshire website. We have welcomed over 250 students from all over the world to date, and a team of outstanding teachers to boot. We’ve also launched a new affiliate programme. This is us giving something back as a thank you. It’s really easy to implement and rewarding for YOU.

Late SPRING 2024 will see one of my personal ‘ dreams come true’ – our purpose built workshop and offices will be complete. As I look out of my current office window I can see the roofers on the new build hard at work. Our new ‘home’ is a purpose built workshop designed to suit our brush making & mail order facility and busy offices. Designed to look like a beautiful Georgian building from the outside yet inside a modern working facility which we have long awaited. We look forward to welcoming you to our new showroom and gallery space where you can browse our brushes and see some of the finest artwork.

I believe we are now the biggest brush manufacturer in the United Kingdom. I watch others copy our new ranges and feel proud to have been “The First” to create them.

We have a beautiful cottage on site too which is a ‘get away from it all’ holiday let. If you are in Yorkshire for a few days and want to explore our beautiful county or load up with your painting gear and go outdoors painting en Plein Air, then get in touch, we will welcome you. Please click this link to learn more.

I have loved and lived art for all my adult life and so art is my way of life. On a final note, many of my customers have endorsed and used my brushes for the entirety of my career and have indeed become friends (some distant and as far away as the USA, Australia, Canada, Japan & New Zeland). For their patronage and support I would like to take this opportunity and say ‘thank you’.

Happy Painting!

ROSEMARY NEW SIGSymi and Rosemary family photo

Scottsdale Artists’ School 2017

Symi will return to Scottsdale in mid January for a full week. During her time there she will have plenty of brushes, so this would be a great time to stock up if you are in the area. During the same week at the school, some of Rosemary and Co’s greatest ambassadors will be teaching workshops at the school; Daniel J. Keys, Susan Lyon, Kathy Anderson and Scott Burdick. For more information, please contact Symi.

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