Today we’d like to introduce you to Rochelle Washington.
Rochelle, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I began my love affair with music and art at a very young age. So young, in fact, I cannot remember my Genesis moment. I do remember getting a dollar from my Auntie to belt out a soulful rendition of Whitney’s “Greatest Love of All” at age 5. I also remember decimating my mother’s potpourri dish to create a potpourri lampshade (that smelled great because the heat from the bulb warmed the potpuri…) at age 14. What I am saying is that I have been “arting”, singing, crafting, and writing songs for a long time. Creativity never stopped calling to me.
I went to Undergrad to become a teacher (shout out University of West GA). While there, in Carrollton, I joined a folk-soul band (oh, yeah, that’s a thing), had an oil pastels love affair and met my future husband. So, even though I didn’t graduate, I left there inspired and full of creative energy. I chased that degree all the way to an online school! I did so, because I was taught that being creative was a hobby, not a profession. After a decade long stint in Corporate America, and one credit hour left to finish my teaching degree, I realized that I could parlay my predilection for art, and design into a viable business. That’s how my branding and design firm, Roseredd Etc. was born. It was literally forged out of my need to do something more than be an office manager and a part-time art enthusiast. I used the resources acquired from my corporate CEU’s and just ran with it!
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
Digital collage, and watercolor illustration are my jam right now. In my collage work, I use vintage images of African American women and men. I pair them with flora and fauna. In my mind, the spirit of Black folks and the flora and fauna of the Earth are unyielding and incessant in their pursuit to live, to thrive, and to be. My people are a literal wellspring of vibrancy, potency, grit, tenacity and strength. I try and depict that in my pieces.
For a living, I help female lead small to medium sized businesses create visual identities that help them attract more of their target audience. That manifests itself in the form of graphic design, web design, and brand strategy. I use the Adobe Creative Suite to bring that to life. I started working with the female lead businesses because I am a woman running a business and I understand our unique challenges. My value proposition in my business is that I am an artist first. I am able to take my love of illustration, mixed media collage, and design and turn that into some great artwork for my clients.
Do you think conditions are generally improving for artists? What more can cities and communities do to improve conditions for artists?
I think conditions for artists today are ripe with promise. Art can be created, shared, digested, and purchased in new, innovative and easily accessible ways. I think life for us all has become more complicated with the current online landscape however, the internet is a tool that can easily bolster us and assist us in our art journeys. It’s the proverbial double edged sword, isn’t it? Sure, our cities can form steering committees to plan to integrate more art into the cityscape but, we as artists must find community with one another and amplify our passions by simply congregating and colluding (such a nefarious, yet appropriate word)…purposefully.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
Folks can see my work on my website, rosereddetc.com. Also, there is plenty to see on my Instagram @rosereddetc.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.rosereddetc.com
- Phone: 4046675895
- Email: hi@rosereddetcetera.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/rosereddetc
- Facebook: facebook.com/rosereddetc
Image Credit:
First piece: “Vintage social media” Digital collage, Rochelle Washington
Second: “Wings and Soul” Digital collage, Rochelle Washington
Third: “Honor Him”Digital collage, Rochelle Washington
Fourth: “Maya in the Garden”Digital collage, Rochelle Washington
Fifth: “Adorn Aretha”Digital collage, Rochelle Washington
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
