About Me
A sanctuary... an escape from the stresses of day to day life. I can get lost in my world of creativity for hours at a time. I hope that my love of childhood, animals and nature continues to shine through with every piece of work I produce.
I was brought up in a beautiful village in the Scottish Borders. On a map you can find it as Newcastleton, but to everyone who has ever loved this special place, it’s Copshaw Holm.
My younger brother and I spent much of our childhood outdoors with a great bunch of friends. Full of mischief and adventure we would spend long and happy hours exploring every nook and cranny Liddesdale had to offer including "the iconic Hermitage Castle".
My passion for sketching, painting and anything creative began really early. As a young girl I could often be found before school in the back room of my Nannie’s Post Office, thoroughly engrossed in sketching from wildlife and Disney books.
My love of art continued throughout secondary school and beyond, but the creative side of my life had to take a back seat when I began training as a Nurse. It wasn't until after the birth of my two boys that I began to pick up my pencils again. Initially it was just for my own pleasure, but after seeing paintings of my boys Sam and Oli, friends and colleagues began asking me to create things for them. A painting for a nursery perhaps, or a Christening gift, Wedding invitations, and even Memorial booklets for the Intensive care unit to name but a few.
What began as a little bit of dabbling for fun grew and grew until 'Paula Rowan Art' was born.
I’m a self-taught Artist and my style and techniques have evolved over the years with each piece of work helping me to learn and progress.
I have had the privilege and honour to be invited to take part in some wonderful exhibitions. In 2018 the Dancing Light Gallery in Edinburgh displayed a selection of my Childhood portraits in their 'Spring Awakening' Exhibition and later that year some of my Wildlife work in the 'Rapture' Exhibition. It was an amazing experience and gave me the opportunity to meet and learn from some very talented Artists.
In 2019 renowned landscape artist Julie Dumbarton invited me to exhibit in her Christmas exhibition. Then last year came a whole new creative adventure when I was given the opportunity to create the characters and illustrations for a children’s book called "Halloween" by Ian T Rowan. That really was a fantastic learning experience and so rewarding to finally see it in print.
Art is an exciting journey, full of colour and wonder and creativity. I hope you’ll come back to visit often to find out more about the adventures and discoveries that lay ahead.
My art has been displayed in many locations in Southern Scotland and North West England, including Edinburgh, Melrose, Harestanes near Jedburgh and Hawick in the Scottish Borders, Moffat in Dumfriesshire, Langholm in Dumfries and Galloway and Carlisle, Brampton and Cockermouth in Cumbria, to name some places - maybe you have seen some of my work?