Eibhin Kavanagh aka Rotten Rouge

What's the latest piece of art that you have put out into the world?

I painted a still life scene of Daffodils in a water jug. It is a minimalistic piece that I created with Daffodil Day in mind. With Covid restrictions limiting fundraising opportunities for the Irish Cancer Society, I will be selling prints of the painting and donating 100% of the profits to the charity.

What drives you to keep creating?

Currently, I think isolation and loneliness are the biggest factors. I think a lot of what I'm doing at the moment is introspective but (hopefully) relatable to other people feeling the same way in lockdown. I'm trying where possible to focus on the brighter natural things around me, even if it's simply just fruit in the kitchen.
I set dates to launch collections of work on my website so I always have something to work towards, and I usually have a theme to go with collections. Currently I am working on the Primavera Collection which is inspired by Sandro Botticelli's painting of the same name. This is one of my favourite paintings and it always makes me think of Spring and the natural world and that's kind of what's inspiring what I'm creating at the moment.

Is there another artist's work that you would recommend, and why?

There are so many beautiful art pages on instagram. I think lockdown has really brought out people's creativity. Some of my favourite artists at the moment are:
@aoifelaurendesigns, her illustrations are beautiful and she takes commissions! I love seeing her work when scrolling through instagram.

@saoirseryandesign has lovely bright designs that always pick me up and make me feel positive on dull lockdown days.

@gothbabysart has gorgeous paintings that feel homely. I love the Dublin bus print.

@art_ah_ is another one that I really love seeing on my feed. Her commissions are alway so nice and personal and the jackets are amazing!

I will limit myself to four for now but there are so many more that I really love.

Do you have any advice for creators that are just starting out?

I think the best advice I can give is to go at your own pace and don't compare yourself to others. There's a lot of creators out there, but I suppose you are the only one who can create the way you do (as cliché as that sounds) so just believe in yourself and what you are creating!

Where can we find your work?

My website with my gallery and my shop is www.rottenrouge.com
My instagram which is where I would be most active is www.instagram.com/rottenrouge.