Oxmarket’s Wilson Gallery welcomes Bristol-based Rossie Henderson-Begg who is a self-taught oceanic abstract artist with a background in drama and global missions work. Raised with a love for painting, singing, and performing, her artistic journey began early but became a central part of her life after a personal tragedy in 2018. Inspired by Parker J. Palmer’s ‘Let Your Life Speak’, Rossie committed fully to her art and embraced her affinity with the ocean.
When Rossie lost a very close friend in a car accident in 2018, talking things through wasn’t helping her process her grief, and she felt compelled to paint. As she painted, it somehow touched a deeper part of her and she was able to start healing. Rossie believes the arts can be so redemptive and healing, and she want to bring that to as many people as possible.
Rossie has had many highlights of her art career so far, exhibiting at North Street Gallery in Bristol for a 3 month stint which turned into 6 months and while there breaking the record for the most expensive painting ever sold in that gallery!
Another highlight was becoming a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, which Rossie said was a huge encouragement to keep going and sharing her work more widely.
Rossie’s work is deeply rooted in her lifelong connection to the ocean and the idea of flow—both physical and emotional. She uses intuitive pouring techniques, layering acrylic, inks, and natural elements such as sand to let each piece evolve like a tide or a current. This means no two pieces are ever the same; the process is about embracing unpredictability and letting the painting emerge and evolve as she work.
Rossie is hoping visitors and collectors notice not just the visual layers, but the feeling her paintings evoke—a sense of peace, quiet strength, and connection to something bigger than ourselves. She wants each piece to act as an anchor, bringing a moment of stillness into someone’s space and serving as a gentle reminder to pause and breathe.
Above all, Rossie is hoping people feel drawn into her work, like standing at the edge of the sea—grounded yet limitless.
