A Floating Studio: Meet Jan Rosser, The Artist Who Calls the River Home

Jan Rosser is an artist based in Barking, living along the River Roding. She studied Fine Art at Sir John Moore’s University in Liverpool and is a member of the River Art Group, a

collective of artists residing on houseboats.

Jan’s work is dedicated to creating a sense of theatre through a variety of media,

including installation, sculpture, and printmaking.

The pieces displayed at the Boathouse Studios are part of a series inspired by her grandfather’s treasured collection of books. To Jan, books are valuable symbols of knowledge, education, and personal growth.

Although often cherished and collected, books can become obsolete when damaged or missing pages. Through her art, Jan breathes new life into these old texts, transforming them into pieces of visual art.

All of Jan’s artworks on display at the Janet Corcoran Memorial Library are available for purchase. She also accepts commissions for custom pieces based on specific texts,

such as poetry, prose, or a favorite song.

Her series of Children’s Picture Book Artworks, for instance, has featured characters from beloved children’s literature, including Beatrix Potter, Roald Dahl, Julia Donaldson, and even Marvel comics. These illustrated figures appear to leap from the pages, adding vibrancy and drama to each piece.

Works like Romeo & Juliet are especially meaningful to Jan, as they connect to her grandfather, who had a profound love of literature and language. In this piece, the butterflies represent the fleeting beauty and fragility of love, while phrases weave through the background and up the edges, encapsulating the narrative.

Find more of Jan's art work here: Etsy and Not on The High Street