Naomi Rose is a talented Redding artist who paints from her imagination and her rich heart. Her paintings typically showcase bright colors which are a reflection of her inner cheerfulness and optimism. Naomi never really plans her art, “it just comes out,” stated Naomi as she shared with me ,one of her paintings “Girl with a cat,” that was just one of her many creative ideas. “I imagined my lazy boy chair, and pictured a woman on grass watching TV.” Naomi said. Naomi enjoys painting the outdoors, and states “I like to go to the ocean and like to paint the Ocean.” Naomi’s most painted subjects are cats and dogs. “I just love cats because Susan (mentor) said everyone likes dogs and cats,” Naomi said.
During our interview Naomi shared two of the works of art, “Rainbow Dog” and “Personality Cat”. The story behind “Rainbow Dog” as Naomi tells it is as follows, “somebody gave me a picture of their pet dog and I said, oh I can draw that.” The result was a painting that even amazed Naomi. “I don’t know how I got the face of the dog so perfect,” Naomi said. The other painting, “Personality Cat” got its name because “it’s a person and a cat,” Naomi said.
Naomi is a self-taught artist who was unaware that she was an artist until she began work at artistic endeavors. “I didn’t even know I could draw before someone taught me I could,” Naomi said. However her unique style wasn’t taught, it was always a part of her. “I know how to draw, so I just draw,” Naomi said. She used split faces in her art long before she learned of another artist who uses a similar style (Picasso). “I like to go to museums or take an art class to get ideas,” Naomi said.
Shortly after Naomi started her artistic discovery Naomi began working for the We Care A Lot selling her art. She has been with We Care A Lot for 11 years and showcases an entire wall in the Redding office dedicated to Naomi’s works of art. Naomi wants to get her art to a wider audience. “I want to put my art in other galleries, but I don’t know how,” Naomi said. For anyone interested in buying art you can contact Naomi directly through her e-mail at naomirose1958@gmail.com or her phone (530) 221-7489. You can also view her art by visiting www.wecarealot.org/adventures-in-business/art-by-naomi-rose .
During my interview I asked Naomi what she does to get over artist block. Naomi shared “I get frustrated, but I don’t kick a hole in it. I just put it away and come back to it,” While interviewing Naomi, I got to see her newest work of art, “Wonder Woman” which was nearly all sketched and waiting to be brought to life with paint. “I want to try to do Captain America,” Naomi said. She especially likes his shield with lots of reds and blues. Colors as I mentioned earlier play a significant part in Naomi’s art. When I asked why she uses so many bright and vivid colors she said, “they are cheerful, you want a cheerful life.”
In the future Naomi would like to sell more of her art and brighten the lives of others with her gifts and perspective on life. Her art, very much like Naomi herself is unique and one of a kind. It carries deep meaning and tells a story of the wonder we can connect with when we open our minds to our creative potential.