Rosemary Otto has lived in her great-grandmother's cottage in Lake Worth Beach, Florida, for nearly 80 years. Before that, she spent her early years in Germany, where her creativity was first inspired. Rosemary specializes in oil paintings, particularly her unique oil collage technique, blending folk art with whimsical touches of surrealism. Two of her works are part of the collection at the Norton Museum of Art, and her art has been exhibited in various galleries, most recently at Hatch 1121 in 2023. As a disclosure, I have been taking oil painting lessons with Rosemary and deeply enjoy our conversations about art, life, and many other topics. Note: Some responses have been lightly edited for clarity and length.
Q: Can you tell us about a project or piece that was particularly meaningful to you and why?
A: The Eternal Flame is very special to me. It came into being almost on its own—I just started drawing and painting. The figure holding the eternal flame is me, and next to me is my mother. The eternal flame represents imagination and a soul that never dies.
I am holding a red herring, [symbolizing deception]—sometimes I throw a red herring into my conversations, too. The clowns with the fake noses symbolize people who believe in things that don’t make sense, who spread bad or false information. The fake nose shows that their knowledge isn’t true. I included dolphins because they are intelligent creatures with big brains, and I love them. And if you look closely, there’s a figure on the far right—that’s Lucifer. The woman on the left represents an opposing force, and the people behind her are part of that force. In life, we all must contend with opposing forces because we live in a fallen world.
Q: What advice would you give to young or aspiring artists in our community?
A: The purpose of art is to create beauty. I learned this from a professor who once asked on a test, 'What is the purpose of art?' The highest aspiration for any artist should be beauty. Always strive for beauty in your work. Your subconscious is very important. It can give you inspiration. Everything you think and create comes from your subconscious. It’s important to call upon it and recognize that your subconscious is in charge of everything you do. The choices you make are deeply connected to it.
Q: Why is art important, and how can it help people?
A: Art strengthens the truth within you. Beauty comes from truth, [and the two are inherently connected]. Art helps you bring beauty into your life, which in turn reveals the truth within you. Art has the power to uplift people. All good things come from beauty and truth. Even if you’re homeless, art can help you find answers. When we say 'homeless,' we often mean something bad, but it isn’t necessarily so. Just because someone is homeless doesn’t mean they lack food or other essentials. People shouldn’t assume. If it’s a choice, it’s different.
For children living below the poverty line, imagination makes all the difference. If a child has nothing but paper toys and a loving mother, don’t feel sorry for that child. Imagination is free, and with it, you have just about everything. You can share imagination, just like the craft kits you give away through Just Add Creative. Imagination is so important.
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