Threads of Connections

Rose Hewartson’s artistic journey began in 2017, triggered by a dramatic shift in her teenage son’s personality, as he struggled with severe anxiety and anger. To support him, Rose left her successful photography career and chose to homeschool him, embracing a child-led learning approach.

“This shift required me to wear the hat of advocate, nutritionist, researcher, educator and providing my son a high level of support.” she reflects.

With a longstanding creative drive, Rose had previously achieved success in wedding, newborn, and food photography, with her work featured in international magazines. As she guided her son through activities like sailing and skateboarding, Rose found herself drawn to new artistic expressions, including drawing and brush lettering (a form of calligraphy).

 After two years devoted to helping her son heal, Rose turned her focus inward, seeking stress relief, self-discovery and personal growth. She started with meditation therapy, which unexpectedly led her to watercolour painting, initially of tranquil seascapes, and later to abstract works, where she found a new creative freedom.

In 2019, Rose became a Creative Arts Therapist, and in 2022, she launched her own gallery in Camp Hill, Brisbane. The gallery thrived, but after 18 months, Rose chose not to renew the lease, embracing the flexibility of working from home, allowing more time to travel and create.

Petite in stature, Rose’s large, expressive works contrast her size, exuding a bold, dynamic energy. Her abstract art, layered and vividly coloured, reflects her journey toward greater personal connection and transformation. Through abstract art and many hours of coaching Rose felt she became more and more connected. 

And overcoming an irrational fear of animals was part of that change. As a child she was terrified of animals, cows and horses, the very animals that  have end up being stars in some of her artwork.

Rose’s artistic practice is grounded in her business and marketing acumen, and since closing her gallery, exciting new opportunities have emerged. This year, her work was showcased at the Dairy Conference in Melbourne, the Wagyu Conference, and Brisbane’s Beef Ex.

At Grasslands, Rose’s current exhibition captivates with bold, contemporary abstracts that are both powerful and expressive. The exhibition runs through to late November and is also available online.