How long have you lived on the Beaches?
My whole life. I grew up in Narrabeen before settling in Collaroy, where I live now with my family.
Where’s your favourite place to eat, drink, hang out?
Peak Café in Newport is my go-to for breakfast, Taste Café in Collaroy for a great coffee, and Hugo’s in Manly for pizza. For a special occasion, you can’t beat The Bathers’ Pavilion.
If you had to live anywhere else in the world, where would that second-best place be?
Italy – for the beauty of the landscape, the galleries, the cobblestone streets, architecture, and the food.
How did you discover you had a gift for art?
In primary school I was disqualified for a drawing competition, they thought my parents had drawn the entry. In high school I would get encouraging feedback from teachers and classmates.
Did you study art?
I studied a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the UNSW, specialising in the figure and anatomy. I also love life drawing at Manly Art Gallery and Museum.
Which artists or other inspiring people, dead or alive, would you most like to have dinner with?
I would love to have dinner with Brett Whiteley, Nicholas Harding, and Nora Heysen. Nora Heysen is particularly special as I once met her at her home for afternoon tea in Hunters Hill. The first woman to win the Archibald prize, what an inspiration!
What inspired your cover art?
My cover oil painting, Terracotta Shade, was part of a group exhibition with Michael Reid Northern Beaches Gallery in Newport. I’m drawn to painting sunbathers – especially the form of the figure and colour of a sun umbrella. This work reflects my ongoing interest in developing a loose, expressive approach to figurative painting with a coastal vibe.
What inspires your work in general?
It could be anything from looking at my old art book collection about artists such as Alberto Giacometti, to an inspiring art book series by Amber Creswell Bell in particular ‘About Face’ and ‘A Painted Landscape’, as well as going to galleries and everyday observations, whether it’s the colour combination I see on someone’s t-shirt or looking at a photograph by one of my sons.
What are you currently working on?
As a result of a recent successful show ‘Seagazing’ at Olsen Annexe Gallery in Woollahra, I am working on a number of collector commissions. My current show ‘Salt’ is on view at the upstairs gallery at Bathers’ Pavilion, Balmoral until the 30th of August.
What’s your favourite thing about what you do?
Painting and drawing has always sparked joy for me. Observing and really looking at what I see in my own way. Exploring and staying curious. I love looking at all types of art and love going to galleries. I also teach drawing at community college, and I find my students inspiring.
Any advice for young or aspiring artists?
Join a course to get started or a local workshop to develop your skills. There are opportunities with local artists at Community College, and Manly Art Gallery Museum has workshops and life drawing classes. Go to galleries to discover lots of styles of various artists it is so inspiring to see an artwork in real life not just as pixels on a computer screen.
Are there any words of wisdom you’re often guided by?
Dr. Seuss: The more you learn, the more places you’ll go.
Visit www.jenniferrosnell.art for Jen’s latest gallery updates. And to experience her work up close, cross the Spit Bridge asap to see her exhibition Salt, on view at Balmoral’s Bathers’ Pavilion until 30 August
Enjoy that?
Head here for all interviews with our Tawny Frogmouth cover artists
Feature me
Are you an artist local to the Northern Beaches and want to be featured in the Tawny Frogmouth? Email mail@thetawnyfrogmouth.com.au