When you log onto the website for Rebecca Rose Fine Portraits, this quote jumps out: “Everywhere I go, I see beauty; in the small details and in all surroundings. This is what I want to bring to you and your memories.”

Rose’s journey has led her to a way to combine her passions for entrepreneurship, photography, fine art and design. The resulting work is not only beautiful, it is a timeless gift for those who work with her.

But this isn’t where she thought she would end up, back when she was in school.

When she was young, Rose was drawn to painting. She began her formal study when she was 12 years old, and took art classes at Manchester Community College, where she received a scholarship. All the while, she held the belief that photography was for people who couldn’t paint.

Then life happened.

While a stay-at-home mom, Rose thought she would try her hand at blogging and purchased a camera to take photos to go with her posts. Soon after, she got the idea that she could use the camera to create income — by taking wedding photos. Before she knew it, she was a professional photographer!

Aware that the wedding photos she took would be kept by families for years to come, she kept thinking about how her family cherished her grandparents’ few World-War-II-era portraits.

That led Rose to experiment with painting on portraits printed on canvas, creating a one-of-a-kind work of art, known as legacy portraits.

She tries to bring joy and healing to her clients through her art. But she has also found a special way to give back to the community through her portraits by creating themed exhibits. Examples include portraits of business owners for Entrepreneur Day at the State Capitol; and portraits of mothers with their infants to celebrate International Women’s Day.

In light of the pandemic, Rose is at work on an exhibit to honor medical workers, specifically anesthesiologists, and will tie the exhibit to World Anesthesiologist Day.

“I want to bring healing and celebration during a dark time, by telling their stories,” she said. The exhibit is postponed until 2021.

Rose’s entrepreneurial spirit and creativity shine through these projects.

“I am passionate about telling people’s unique stories and creating tangible portraits that are emotional, traditional, and ultimately beautiful. I want to create these to be passed down, as a heirloom, for families to enjoy for generations,” she said.

Emma Palzere-Rae is the associate director for Artreach, Inc. and founder of Be Well Productions. If you have a story about how creativity has helped you heal, please contact emma.artreachheals@gmail.com.

Who: Rebecca Rose

Town: Colchester

Creative Outlet: Photography

Helpful Resource: Entrepreneurs with Heart Exhibit Site, https://www.rebeccarosefineportraits.com/2019-entrepreneurs-with-heart-ex