Rosanna Burford
Rosanna Burford was born in 1988 in London, England, into a family legacy of gardening and interior decorating, and is now based in Frankfurt, Germany. Having studied Chemistry in Munich and California, she worked in the pharmaceutical industry before transitioning to a full-time art practice in 2019.
Could you tell us more about your background and how you began creating art?
Growing up in England I spent my childhood painting imaginary worlds. I come from a family of painters, gardeners, and interior decorators, though none followed their creative passions professionally.
At first, I followed a similar path and built a career in the pharmaceutical industry, always developing my art practice in parallel through training with local artists. However, in 2019, I decided to make art my career and follow my true calling.
What does your art aim to say to its viewers?
Escaping the walled garden you grew up in, to face your demons, make peace with them and find freedom along your own path, is a narrative that has guided humanity since its beginnings. My art lets the viewer know that she is not alone. The search for paradise continues.
Can you tell us about the process of creating your work? What is your daily routine when working?
I schedule my studio time and prioritize it over all else. During the Winter I prefer working in the afternoon, as it gets slightly warmer in the industrial studio space. In Summer, I enjoy cool mornings in the studio.
Over the years, I have learnt that I make my best work when working in complete silence and on many pieces in parallel. The painting process begins with washes of intuitive colors. Working with the resulting shapes, a landscape emerges. Like a gardener cultivating the land, intentional mark-making amplifies the developing scene. Not having a desired outcome in mind fills the process with unexpected surprises and problems to solve.
What is the essential element in your art?
Deep rich colors. Surprising color combinations, textures and imaginings keep me excited about painting.
In your opinion, what role does the artist have in society?
All that is, was once imagined. The artist expands our thoughts and creates connection, wonder and growth, all things that make life worth living.
