Artist Feature: Rosemary Blackmore

“A day without painting, is a day wasted.” – Rosemary Blackmore

Rosemary Blackmore is a local Jersey artist who used her fantastic talents with oil paints in the early July issue ‘Fruits of Jersey’. We spoke to Rosemary to find out more about her career as an artist, and her approach to the stamp issue. Read on to find out more about her and the artwork exhibition she’ll be hosting later this year for the RNLI. 

In the family 

Rosemary always knew she wanted a career in art, her father was an architect and artist, and her uncle started Jersey Pottery in 1946. She felt that art was always a huge part of her family legacy and is delighted that her children have followed a similar career, with her eldest daughter, Hannah becoming a world renowned artist who works from her studio in Tasmania, where she lives.

Her second daughter Lucy is an art teacher at H.M.P. La Moye and also runs therapeutic art sessions for Dementia Jersey. Rosemary’s son Henry is a long-haul pilot who in his spare time has a passion for photography.  

Developing Her Skills 

Rosemary left Jersey at 17 years old to study at Bath Academy of Art, it was there she met her future husband, cameraman Robert Blackmore. Her first year at the academy was a foundation course, which  focused on disciplines such as life drawing, the study of form and light as well as the history of art. She then studied Fine Art for the following three years graduating with a B.A. Hons degree.This is where she acquired the techniques she uses in her various artworks, including Fruits of Jersey. 

Never Stop Learning 

Rosemary officially started her solo career as an artist in the late 1970’s when she painted watercolour images of Jersey cows for locals and visitors alike, becoming well recognised for her distinct style. In 2001, she completed a life sized Jersey Cows mural for Jersey Airport, celebrating ‘The Year of the Jersey’. 

One of her biggest mural projects was completed in a villa in the South of France. According to Rosemary the mural surrounded a circular staircase, requiring a scaffolding tower to complete. Due to there being no easy vantage point to check the work, Rosemary had to rely on her instincts and experience to ensure the artwork once completed looked good from all angles.  

Fruits of Jersey 

Having been given an unknown plant as a gift, Rosemary did not expect it to turn into a huge kiwi vine, which suprises walkers passing by the house. Rosemary noted that: “Having spoken to a local farmer, I discovered that Kiwis were commonly grown in the Island during the 1800s”. Asked if she enjoyed creating the artwork for the issue, Rosemary said; “ I loved the theme and I loved the rich colours and textures of the subject!”. 

When working with oil paints, Rosemary said she enjoys using cold wax with the oils, as it helps to create an almost buttery texture to the paint. A reduction method using tissue paper can also be used to expose the layers of paint underneath. Fruits of Jersey was issued on Thursday 4th July 2024. The issue includes a set of eight stamps, a presentation pack, first day cover and the standard sheets of ten. The stamps can be purchased from here. 

RNLI Exhibition 

Ensure to keep an eye out for a solo exhibition Rosemary is planning to host at the Atlantic Hotel St Brelade. Entitled “Adrift”  the paintings and ceramics are all inspired by the sea that surrounds us. 

It begins with a preview night on Oct 2nd to be opened by His Excellency Vice Admiral Jerry Kyd. The exhibition will run from the 3rd – 6th October 2024 with 25% of all profits being donated to the Jersey Branch of the RNLI. This is an important year for the charity who are celebrating their 200th anniversary of saving lives at sea.

Rosemary is excited by this exhibition and hopes many people will enjoy viewing her work in this beautiful location.