Today we’d like to introduce you to Rose Wambsganss.
Hi Rose, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Origins and Influence
I was raised in a small town in Colorado, where my childhood was shaped by seemingly contrasting pursuits—racing quarter midgets and stock cars, dedicating myself to ballet practice, and immersing fully in the world of art. These eclectic experiences cultivated a perspective unlike most, allowing me to approach life through a lens of curiosity and layered meaning. From an early age, I found myself deeply contemplating the craftsmanship and intention behind the works of artists and sculptors I encountered in galleries. That creative vein, running steadily through every aspect of my life, affirmed what I always knew: I was destined to become an artist.
Art has been a lifelong companion, first introduced to me by my parents, who nurtured my love for creativity from an early age. My mother, a gifted illustrator, chose a career specifying paint for architects—her eye for color and form still inspires me. My father, a masterful silversmith, found himself in the world of machining, yet his craftsmanship and inventive spirit never waned. Together, they instilled in me a deep curiosity and a joyful approach to experimentation. Our gallery visits and conversations about art shaped my early sensibilities, guiding me toward my own style. I’ve long been captivated by the surrealism of Salvador Dalí and the visionary architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright—artists whose work continues to stir something profound in me. That creative vein my parents opened now pulses through everything I do.
Process and Practice
My art is rooted in a kind of meditative freedom. I rarely begin with a plan or sketch—just a blank page and an alcohol ink pen. I let go of the day’s weight and worries, focusing on one delicate line at a time. This practice draws me into an intense, beautiful state of clarity and presence. The repetition of fine patterns becomes a form of visual meditation, akin to Zentangle, where each mark is both spontaneous and intentional. It’s in this quiet rhythm that my truest work emerges.
Vision and Goals
Looking ahead, I am eager to continue exhibiting my work—both through solo projects and collaborative group shows—and to return to teaching, sharing the joy of creation with others. My long-term vision includes opening a gallery with a storefront and a dedicated space for art classes, fostering community engagement alongside creative expression. In addition, the development of an artist residency under the non-profit Atlanta Foundation for Contemporary Arts, Inc. is already underway, with fundraising efforts actively in progress. This residency will serve as a resource for artists from around the world, offering the opportunity to experience Southern culture while deepening their practice in a supportive environment designed for both contemplation and constructive growth.
Throughout my journey, I have always set extremely lofty goals, and I take pride in seeing them through with determination and focus. I balance my time between creating art, advancing professionally, managing the business aspects of my practice, and pursuing exhibition opportunities. Guided by nature and grounded in purpose, I remain committed to realizing these ambitions and expanding the reach and impact of my work.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Becoming an artist was not a straightforward path. In college, my greatest strength was always demonstrated through creativity, yet guided by the practical need for survival, I pursued studies in marketing, public relations, and journalism. After graduating, I advanced into director-level roles within non-profits, where I drew upon my creative instincts to shape organizational identity and strategy. While this work was successful and fulfilling in many ways, I continued to feel a persistent pull toward artistic expression.
That calling became undeniable after my family relocated to Canada and my newly adopted daughter received a devastating medical diagnosis at the age of four. Immersed in the heartbreak and challenges of that time, I was overwhelmed with emotions that demanded an outlet. I turned instinctively to art, searching online for healing art therapies, where I discovered Zentangle. What began as a tool for processing grief and emotion quickly reignited my passion, and I became fully immersed in art once again.
One of the most challenging aspects of being an artist is managing self-doubt and navigating the difficulty of fitting in when you are wired at the core to be different. Early in my practice, I joined online groups for Zentangle, only to discover that I didn’t belong there. Many participants told me that what I was creating was not Zentangle, but art. At the time, this felt like yet another reminder that I lacked a community of support. In retrospect, however, I see it as a profound blessing. They were right. I wasn’t following the rules of traditional patternmaking—I was creating my own. I found the structure too restrictive and felt compelled to push beyond it, introducing greater contrast, shape, form, and depth. Through this process, my artistic style was born.
Eventually, I learned to embrace confidence in my work. I realized that unless I released the anxiety of exposing my heart and soul to those who encountered my art, I would never feel whole. For me, authenticity became non-negotiable—I would rather pursue what I love and risk not fitting in than conceal who I truly am in order to conform.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I recently completed an artist residency that profoundly transformed both my practice and my vision for the future. Through the New York School of Visual Arts, the program opened new dimensions of creativity and provided invaluable mentorship. Guided by expert voices, I discovered a clearer path forward and an extraordinary passion for growth. My mentors encouraged me to embrace greater freedom in my work—releasing the constraints of financial pressures and external judgments—and to focus instead on creating ambitious, large-scale projects.
This experience has strengthened my commitment to lifelong dreams: establishing an art-driven non-profit, expanding into public sculpture, and building platforms that foster creativity and community engagement. The residency not only deepened my practice but also affirmed my dedication to pursuing bold, transformative goals.
I currently have solo exhibition proposals across the United States, each unified by cohesive themes of creation, surrender, and sacred geometry. In addition, I have confirmed shows scheduled throughout Georgia and New York in the coming year, further expanding the reach and visibility of my practice.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
Previously dicussed
Pricing:
- Large Commissions $1,500 – $3,500
- Prints $20-$65
- Medium Originals $175 – 1,200
- Non-profit Start-up Donations $any
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.art-by-rose.com/about
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/art_by_rose_w/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArtbyRoseWambsganss
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rose-w-0055613/
Image Credits
Profile Image: Maryum Thompson Photography, Coralville, IA
