Rosie Playfair is a Scottish artist whose work balances a strong graphic sensibility with a playful, eclectic approach to subject matter. A graduate of Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art, where she studied graphic design, she showed early promise, selling work while still a student to lecturers, peers, and the public.
Following graduation, Playfair stepped away from painting for over two decades, pursuing a successful career in public relations, marketing, and interior design. As a partner in the Edinburgh-based firm Playfair Walker, she continued to engage creatively, albeit in a different context. A return to painting, encouraged by a fellow artist, marked a turning point — with immediate demand for her work reigniting a sustained and focused artistic practice.
Her work retains a distinctly “designerly” quality, informed by her background in visual communication. Composition, balance, and clarity underpin each piece, resulting in paintings that are both visually engaging and accessible, without losing individuality or character.
Playfair’s subject matter is wide-ranging, spanning landscapes, portraits, animals, still life, and more abstract compositions. She is, however, perhaps best known for her distinctive depictions of trees — recurring motifs that combine structure, pattern, and a strong sense of form.
She has exhibited widely across Scotland, including several solo exhibitions, as well as in London. Her work is held in private collections throughout the UK and internationally.
