#art, Women Artists Series: Rosa Rolanda

She was born in Los Angeles but spent most of her life in Mexico. Rosa was a dancer, choreographer, costume designer, photographer and a painter. She was also an art collector.

Rosemonde Cowan Ruelas, (1895-1970) better known as Rosa Rolanda, began studying dance at an early age, but in 1928, during a stay in Paris, she became interested in painting. Her influences were varied and ranged from post-revolutionary (Mexican) to surrealism. Her paintings are mostly of women, especially indigenous women from America. She also did several self-portraits and various portraits of famous persons. Two of her most famous ones are of the Mexican actresses Dolores del Río in 1938) and María Félix in 1945. She did some sketches for a portrait of Frida Kahlo although I am not sure if she ever did the actual painting.