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Ro is an Artist, Healer, and Youth Mentor.
She was born in New Orleans, LA, where she will be returning shortly. She was raised by extended family, mainly on the East Coast but her roots run deep in Oakland, CA, where she has lived, loved and raised her son for the past 20 years. Her unique medium of Pyrography (Wood Burning) involves detailed, ornate line work & shading on birch panels with a soldering iron, that is then colored with layers of acrylic and natural washes to accentuate the innate beauty, grain, and movement of the wood. Her work is deeply informed by her community, her Beloveds, and by liberation & social justice movement- particularly by the Medicine Women & Freedom Fighters who are her sisters, she-roes and muses. Ro is consistently engaged in her spiritual practice, particularly from the Orisha tradition, as well as Ancient Wisdom New Thought teachings, where she regularly receives visions & information. Ro is primarily focused on the Divine Feminine Force, as it permeates all of creation and sustains Life. She aspires to embolden, nurture and empower women through her work, so that we may truly embrace our Divine nature and purpose. All of her works are intended to be a counter-narrative to the extreme violence that surrounds us in America, and an assertion of freedom as our natural state. Some of Rosesharon's recent successes include a Staff Pick editorial in the East Bay Express, an Oakland Art Murmur opening at Temescal Studios, and a 2019 solo exhibit, entitled "Conjure" at Brickhouse Gallery in Sacramento, CA. Ro was a 2018 recipient of the City of Oakland's Cultural Arts Funding Grant, utilized to create Project SheRose, teaching Pyrography at Youth Uprising's Sister Circle and culminating in an art opening portraiting Black and Brown Oakland women in leadership. She was a 2019-2021 Cultural Strategist in Government with the Oakland's Department of Health & Human Services through ReCAST (Resiliency in Community after Stress and Trauma). Her art is currently on display at the Libra Foundation in San Francisco, CA and at the Crocker Art Museum Store in Sacramento, CA. She is looking forward to a group show with artHype gallery in Los Angeles, CA in January 2022. In addition to facilitating classes for adults in art and in wellness practices, Ro has been a youth mentor, advocate, and educator for over 20 years- an Artist in Residency, Circle Keeper, and Holistic Health Educator, who is passionate about creating more safe space for our Youth to be, to thrive and to have greater agency over their own bodies, voices, and joy. To name a few, Ro has partnered with Youth Uprising, Alameda County Juvenile Hall, Children's Hospital, East Bay Agency for Children, and Destiny Arts. Recent commissioned work featured in national conferences for Power California 2019, California Immigrant Policy Center 2020 and Color of Change 2021. Ro is available for commissions, speaking engagements as well as to lead classes & workshops. |