Welcome to Alison’s World!
For as long as she can remember, Alison Rose has had a passion for expressing herself through her art.
Naturally attracted to mixed media sculpture as a teen, Alison was fascinated by the way she could put together “found” objects from home or the street, combining, mixing and putting them together as colorful and playful works of art that expressed her ideas.
After studying drawing and painting at Buffalo State College, Alison added those techniques to her sculpture and collage work. A strong wanderlust inspired her artwork with her dreams of traveling to faraway places, especially warm tropical beaches. The sea, sand and sun became prominent elements in her art as she thought about what to do next with her life, and led her to leave the cold behind and move to Cozumel Mexico, and then, after moving to Manhattan for a while, to a job on a Cruise ship as a croupier, traveling around the Caribbean. Alison says, “Being a Blackjack and Craps dealer on a ship in the Caribbean was absolutely an adventure for me I will always remember… I will forever be inspired by the beauty and tranquility of the colors and sensibilities I experienced in my travels.”
Later, after working and playing on the beaches for years, Alison finally returned to Manhattan to settle into a more stable life, taking a position as a bartender on the upper west side to support herself as she continued to sculpt and paint. As her personal life evolved, so did her art. She married and had a family; inspiring her to create child-themed full wall murals and large 4 x 6 foot canvas paintings with bright colors and cheerful animals. Alison notes, “I’m proud to say that several of my larger pieces are being displayed in pediatric wards around the tri-state area. Young children really respond to the use of vibrant colors and whimsical themes in my work.”
In 1999 Alison and her family moved from Manhattan to Rockland County to enjoy the larger spaces, fresh air and a yard where her kids could run barefoot. With this new life style came the opportunity to expand her artwork into a more commercial, yet still creative, application: applying faux finishes to walls of people’s homes. “I had a client ask me to apply Venetian Plaster to his living room,” Alison explains, “He was familiar with my work at the time and knew I would be suited for this expansion. I immediately learned the process and I fell in love with it. I discovered what an enormous transformation takes place after adding a faux finish in any space – the outcome is so gratifying. And while the techniques are pretty labor intensive (making it something many people do not have time to do on their own), the end result is incredible!”
Why do I mention my work in casinos and bars?
“For over 20 years I have been involved in the kind of work that keeps me connected to all sorts of people. As an artist I might not make it out much into the social world between being ensconced in my studio, taking care of my teenagers and being on jobsites. Some of my first painting jobs out here in Rockland County came directly from some customers I served at the restaurant where I have worked at night for the past five years – which, I’m proud to say, is the best Italian restaurant in Rockland, ‘Marcello’s Ristorante.’ Happily, this schedule allows me to give most of my time to my painting. I consider myself very lucky because I love both of my ‘jobs.’ They give me the opportunity to grow and learn in completely different ways.
“Of course, part of being a good bartender is being a good listener and knowing people well - qualities that lend themselves to being able to understand what the clients that hire me to paint their home or work place want. Some folks know exactly what they want done, but other just know that they want “something” done and need help figuring out what the right thing is. It’s important to take the time to sit down and discuss lots of things in order to figure out just the right colors and techniques to use for each client. After all, everyone is different!
“If you are looking for more than just a ‘painter’ and would like to make your home or business more beautiful by working with an artist, contact me so we can talk. Or, learn more about my work by taking a look at my original artwork and faux finish portfolios. Either way, I look forward to helping you make your vision into a reality.“
— A. Rose
