At Perfumera Curandera we have been blessed with an incredible community, many of whom we have been lucky enough to share in moments of art, creative collaborations, and most of all healing. 

Last year was a long one for us all, so we believe the best way to share the joy after a time of uncertainty is to highlight the creative forces who have contributed their wonderful talents to the beauty of Perfumera Curandera’s world over the last few years.

As our second artist in the series, we are sharing a Q+A with New Forest, England-based multimedia artist and student of art, Maisie Alice Rose. Maisie was born and raised in New York City and then in Upstate New York, until they moved a few years ago to the New Forest on the southern coast of the UK.

Maisies’s mother Janine Rose is a well known model and a close friend of PC founder Leanne. Maisies father, Stephen Rose is also a very good friend and longtime collaborator of Leanne’s with a successful career in the fashion world as a photographer and director, now a fine artist though he is still renowned as one of the best international hairdressers in the field, and has worked with all the top designers and celebrities in the fashion industry for over 30 years.

Maisie has always been an avid horse lover and takes care and exercises her close friends horses. Currently studying art at college Maisie is “taking a BTEC course which is a lot of work but I am learning a lot” says the young artist, “I love to draw the things I see around me in nature. I don’t know what the future holds but I hope to have my own business making art and to lead a creative life”.

As such a close family friend of Perfumera Curandera, it has been such a joy to witness Maisies talents and creativity and was such a joy to collaborate with her on our Limited Edition Amazonian Greeting Cards, a trio designed to benefit the indigenous people of regions that influence us so deeply, in the Amazon and Andes. Maisie has an incredible eye and a delicacy beyond her years and her floral interpretations are both ethereal and whimsical, as can be seen in her hand-painted interpretations of sacred healing plants. These paintings of the sacred medicine plants used traditionally in Amazonian medicine bring to life the aromatics that are at the core of Perfumera Curandera perfumes. The original images of the sacred plants were taken on location in the Peruvian Amazon and Andes by Jackie Bobrowsky, ( original co founder of PC) who has spent many years working closely with these communities and documenting their knowledge culture and traditions which he shares through his work.

You can purchase one of Maisie’s beautiful hand-painted Amazonian greeting cards from our shop here, all proceeds from the sales of these cards to directly benefit the Indigenous tribes and communities of the Amazon region.

PERFUMERA CURANDERA (PC): Tell us about your artwork and connection to the world of Perfumera Curandera.
MAISIE ALICE ROSE (MAR): Leanne is a family friend. She saw my paintings online and asked if I would be interested to collaborate on this project with her. I was really excited to work with her on this and was very happy to help.

PC: What brings you Joy and where are you finding inspiration these days?
MAR: I’m really lucky to live in the New Forest. I can go for rides right across the street for miles on our friend’s New Forest Pony. I feel at my happiest when I’m out riding and I get very inspired by the nature around me.

PC: With healing plants being at the core of our botanical perfumes, do you connect your creativity with aspects of Nature?
MAR: Yes of course. I'm always drawn to plants, their shapes, and colours. I have grown my own flowers in our garden in the past and I make bouquets and use them as inspiration as well.

PC: As a visual storyteller what do you hope an onlooker takes away from your work? What emotions are you trying to evoke?
MAR: I’m hoping someone who sees my work would feel uplifted. I am creating paintings that are light, airy, and free. Nature has its order but where it appeals to me is where it is chaotic. Which is how my brain sees things filtered through my dyslexia.

PC: If you could choose another medium to experiment with, different from the one you normally do, what would that medium be and why?
MAR: I normally work in watercolours, but I’m very interested in working in acrylics and experimenting with textiles and sewing. I would like to be able to use different techniques in different projects.

PC: Scent not only has the power to heal, but also the power to transport. How does scent transport you?
MAR: I love the smell of the autumn leaves when they have just fallen off the trees and the smell when summer is just around the corner. I guess I like it when the changing seasons bring new smells.

PC: Describe your perfect day and why?
MAR: My perfect day would start off by waking up early and riding over to a nearby beach and riding in the sea. Then magically transporting myself to Paris and going to art museums and since I would already be in Paris I would finish the day by going to an amazing French restaurant. But I would be equally happy going for a ride with friends and spending a quiet day at home.

PC: What is your favourite Flower?
MAR: I love wild meadow flowers.

PC: If you could take off on an Adventure where would you choose to go?
MAR: Right now at this minute I would love to go back to Upstate NY and go swimming in the pond but I would also like to go skiing in Vermont.

IMAGES BY STEPHEN ROSE, JACKIE BOBROWSKY, MAISIE ALICE ROSE, AND SHAINA GILSTRAP.