Rosemary Kuhn Bouse at the Paint & Palette Club’s Summer 2024 exhibition
Ann Swirczynski
Rosie is easily recognizable by the signature flower in her “rosy” colored hair. Rosemary Kuhn Bouse (her author name) has found a home for her artistic creations in illustrating her Christian children’s books. Her main media is colored pencil with touches of watercolor. Her six picture books will be featured at Women Sharing Hope’s Oct. 3 meeting held in the clubhouse at 10 a.m. While meetings are open to all women and men, RSVPs are encouraged.
Since preschool age, Rosie has been creating “outfits” on paper. Later, with a few sewing lessons, she advanced to fashioning designer dresses and suits. She designed and sewed her satin and lace wedding dress when she married Steve Bouse in 2020. “This was a dream come true!” From her grandmother’s crystal necklace, she fashioned her wedding jewelry, complete with a sterling silver “Rose” clasp.
Rosie and Steve moved to Robson Ranch in 2021 after a lifetime in Illinois. Here, close to family, they enjoy a warmer climate and the many benefits of living at Robson Ranch. As a member of the Paint & Palette Club, Rosie has assumed the task of writing the monthly article for the Pioneer Press in which she features the various multitalented artists within the club. “Many artists’ talents are passed down generationally,” she observes. Her own grandmother, Margaret, produced chalk drawings of saints and a portrait of herself and sister Clara circa 1900 looking like Victorian princesses. Grandma also bequeathed to Rosie the musical gene. Standing beside grandma as she played “Clair de Lune” on the piano, Rosie was smitten. Years of organ lessons and singing in choirs inspired her to write music for each of her children’s books.
While Rosemary’s six children’s books will soon be available on Barnes & Noble and Amazon, she will have an ample supply to sign for friends here at Robson. A library event is being planned to ensure the books will be available for Christmas gifts.
Children of the Light is a multicultural version of the Nativity. Its sequels Messengers of the Good News, Following the Good Shepherd, and An Angel, a Star, and a Tiny King all include scenes from the Nativity as seen through the eyes of the six ethnic children.
A Day with the Angels is a whimsical rhyming book. The Angels’ Gift is a learning book for preschoolers. Writing books that will influence children’s faith has been Rosemary’s dream come true. Designing the ethnic characters’ attire was sheer delight!
The next Paint & Palette exhibition will be Sept. 28 through Oct. 4 in the clubhouse. Meet the Artist is on Friday, Oct. 3, from 5 to 7 p.m. Club hours for the Indian Paintbrush Room 103 in the CATC are Mondays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.