Vivid and intricate might be an understatement for Roseville resident and watercolorist Anna Rolin s captivating works of art. The artist engages her viewer with abstract images of just about anything including figures, feathered friends and nature, displaying both realistic details and endless possibilities of the imagination. As a child, Rolin enjoyed creating, and crayons and coloring books were her favorite tools. Having worked in pen and ink, airbrushing and most recently collage—it’s watercolor that seems to be the medium to which the artist continually returns. Believing her best ideas come via everyday life, she is nary without inspiration. “Luckily, I’ve never had artist’s block,” she says. “I carry a drawing pad and am always doodling, so maybe that helps get my creative juices flowing.” In addition to her own site, Anna also sells her pieces through Etsy and Redbubble.     

HLB: You’re mostly self-taught. How has that progressed?    

AR: I always loved art, but it was my high school art teacher who opened my eyes to creating it. He made us all feel special—exposing us to varying mediums and teaching us to look at things differently. After that, I just followed my curiosity. I also read a lot of art books. After trying different mediums, I started focusing on watercolors. 

HLB: Why watercolor?   

AR: Watercolors are versatile. You can paint delicately or boldly, they can be transparent, as well as have all sorts of textures and layers of colors. It is so exciting to see the moment when you lay down a brush full of paint onto paper and watch what it does.

HLB: What is it about your everyday surroundings that inspires you? 

AR: Everything around me can inspire me. It could be a song, nature, the color combination on a photograph, something on the Internet, or even a poem. Once you start drawing or painting, the world seems to open up; suddenly anything could be the subject for your next creation.

HLB: How did living in San Francisco during the ’60s influence your work? 

AR: The psychedelic art, the posters and the music seemed to be everywhere. Peter Max was a big influence; I loved the swirls and colors in his paintings. Art nouveau and surrealism, which influenced a lot of psychedelic art, was and still is, a favorite of mine. 

HLB: How do you want your viewers to feel? 

AR: Color, intricate designs, patterns, details, and the flowing curves from a natural form all excite me. I like the idea of someone getting up close to one of my paintings and really looking at it. Maybe it goes back to the “trippy” psychedelic art I enjoyed when I was young.

HLB: What are your favorite local museums, galleries and art events?  

AR: I love going to the yearly Art Studio Trek as well as the Crocker Art Museum when I can. We also have Blue Line Arts, the Auburn Art Walk, and Second Saturday in Sacramento.

HLB: What advice would you give to artists just starting out?  

AR: Stay curious, and try different things. Find what it is that you love or excites you, and just keep doing it. Make sure you schedule time for yourself and your art. Not every piece of work will be successful, but you learn from every painting—so just keep at it!