Welcome to Surely It’s Art!I’m so happy you’ve stopped by to share a little piece of my creative world. My name is Shirley Rosin, and I call myself an Intuitive Watercolor Artist. That means I don’t paint what I see, I paint what I feel. My art flows from my heart to my paper, with colors leading the way and water showing me where to go next.
But it took me a lifetime to get here.
A Farm Girl Who Didn’t Like Dirt
I grew up on a small mixed farm near Grande Prairie, Alberta, in the great Peace River country. It was a simple, hardworking life. We had cows, horses, chickens, and all kinds of bugs and worms, and I’ll be honest, I didn’t like any of them! I still laugh when I think of those chickens chasing me around. I was terrified of them, and I couldn’t stand getting dirty.
But while I may not have loved the animals, I fell completely in love with the colors around me. The skies would change with every season, the bright golds and pinks of sunrise, the deep purples and oranges of sunset, and the soft glow of snow sparkling like diamonds in winter. The seasons painted their own masterpieces right outside my window. I didn’t know it then, but those early memories would stay with me for life.
When Creativity Wasn’t Encouraged
In school, art was something I looked forward to until the grades came in. Every time, I failed. The teachers wanted perfect drawings that looked exactly like the subject, not the wild, free colors I liked to play with. After a while, I stopped believing I could be creative.
That idea stuck with me for years, that a “real” artist paints only what’s in front of them. I thought art had to be perfect, not expressive. I wish those teachers could see me now!
Life, Work, and a Quiet Dream
As I grew older, I built a busy and fulfilling life. I ran my own businesses and worked with architects, designers, corporations, and marketing teams. I loved the challenge of generating ideas and solutions, and tweaking them to make them work better. I didn’t realize it at the time, but that same problem-solving energy would later show up in my paintings, the way I experiment with water, paint, and color until they all find balance together.
After decades of work, I decided to retire. I told myself I was done. No more deadlines, no more business plans; just rest. But after a while, something was missing. I missed the creative process, the challenge, and that feeling of bringing something new to life. That’s when I knew: it was time to pick up a brush again.
Well… not a brush exactly.
Falling in Love with Watercolor
I had always been drawn to watercolor. There’s something magical about it; how the colors move and blend, how water takes control and surprises you. But my journey with watercolor wasn’t simple. For over 25 years, I experimented with every technique I could find. I took classes, watched YouTube videos, and learned from artists all around the world.
And then, one day, I discovered my own way, the card swipe technique. No brushes, no rules. Just me, some water, and a credit card. I swipe, tilt, and let the water dance across the paper. The colors move, mingle, and decide for themselves what they want to become. Sometimes, I don’t even know what the painting will look like until the next morning, when it’s dry and has revealed itself.
That’s when I fell in love with loose watercolor painting. It felt like freedom.
The Turning Point
In October 2024, I decided to stop calling painting a hobby and start calling it my life’s work. I registered my business and gave it a name that felt right; Surely It’s Art. It was time to step into my next adventure as a full-time artist.
Now, I wake up every day with energy and excitement, knowing I get to create something new. Every painting is different. Every day brings new colors, shapes, and emotions. I’ve learned that the best art happens when you stop trying to control it, when you let go and trust the flow.
Finding Inspiration Everywhere
My inspiration comes from many places: the landscapes of Alberta, the music in my studio, the silence of early mornings, and my walks along the river trails in Edmonton. Nature has a rhythm that feels alive, and watercolor seems to understand it perfectly.
Travel has also opened my eyes to beauty around the world. I’ve been lucky enough to visit Europe, Holland, Turkey, Morocco, Costa Rica, Mexico, and the USA. Each country has its own colors and moods. The terracotta tones of Morocco, the blues of the Mediterranean, and the greens of our Canadian forests all show up somewhere in my art.
And oh, those fall days! When the air is crisp, the leaves glow with reds and golds, and the water reflects it all; that’s when I feel most inspired. Those moments of calm and quiet remind me why I paint.
My Favorite Moment; The Day I Knew I Could Paint
I’ll never forget my visit to the Rembrandt Museum. In one of the rooms, there was a note beside a painting that asked: “Can you spot the mistake?” I found it! That tiny moment gave me so much confidence. It reminded me that even the greatest artists weren’t perfect; they just kept painting.
So I practiced, practiced, and practiced some more. And here I am today, still learning, still experimenting, and still amazed by what water and color can create together.
Who My Art Is For
My paintings have found homes with collectors, educators, business owners, designers, and art lovers across generations, from millennials to baby boomers. I believe art should make you feel something. It should bring peace, curiosity, or even a smile. That’s why my work also fits beautifully in corporate offices, hospitals, senior homes, and personal spaces; anywhere that could use a little calmness and color.
I hope that when you view my paintings, you feel a sense of serenity, freedom, and warmth.
The Joy of Starting Over
Becoming an artist later in life has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I left behind my old life; yes, even all the money from my divorce, but what I gained is priceless. I found myself. I found peace, passion, and joy in color.
Now, I believe it’s never too late to follow your heart.
Join Me on This Journey
Thank you so much for reading my story. I hope it inspires you to look for beauty in your own life, in the colors of nature, the sound of music, or the stillness of a quiet morning.
Please join me here at Surely It’s Art every week, where I’ll be sharing new paintings, stories, and little moments from my creative journey. Who knows, maybe you’ll even find a painting that feels like home.
Until next time,
Shirley Rosin
Surely It’s Art