Today we’d like to introduce you to Annie Rob
Hi Annie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I became a full-time artist relatively late in life, after a 20-year career in advertising. It was a pivotal moment—a pause, really. I had a baby, and found myself at a crossroads.
As the industry evolved and companies merged, I really began feeling the pull back toward something more creative. When you start in the creative industry, it’s just about making great work, but as you climb the corporate ladder (by then I had become a partner at my agency and co-founded and sold a business) you can find yourself far from the reason you got into it. The further I went into corporate life, the further I got from the work, and the more I missed the pure creative freedom I had in my early years.
I craved creativity, but still needed to pay the bills. I wanted the autonomy to work for myself—on my own terms—without the constraints of client briefs and corporate expectations. That’s when I started painting.
At first, it was just about creating pieces for our home during those few quiet moments when the baby slept… right? But it quickly turned into something more when friends started asking to buy them.
Seeing my work resonate with others was incredibly validating. Turning my passion into a business—Painting in the Rude—has been the most fulfilling risk I’ve ever taken. It’s reignited the creative joy I had been chasing for years and reminded me that sometimes, the best moves in life are the ones that feel the most uncertain.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I honestly believe that life without a few struggles would be pretty boring. I thrive on fresh challenges, working under pressure, and pushing boundaries to discover what’s possible. The path hasn’t always been smooth, but every leap of faith comes with its share of uncertainty—and my journey has been filled with twists, self-doubt, and unexpected obstacles.
One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was moving from London to Los Angeles in 2020. Leaving behind family, friends, and everything familiar, and stepping into the unknown of a new city, was both exhilarating and terrifying. Just six weeks after we arrived, the world was thrown into chaos with a global pandemic. What was supposed to be an exciting new chapter quickly turned into isolation, uncertainty, and a complete halt to the plans we had made.
The LA chapter didn’t get much smoother. Between the strikes and the recent fires, there have been constant challenges and new uncertainties. But through it all, creating art has been my constant source of happiness. My work brings joy, it speaks to people, and it allows me to process and share the highs and lows of life. It’s like my personal form of therapy.
Painting in the Rude has given me the chance to reconnect with the pure joy of creating. Seeing people resonate with my work is incredibly rewarding. Hearing laughter at exhibitions and witnessing people truly connect with the pieces makes me so happy. The challenges, the setbacks, the uncertainty—it’s all part of the adventure. Who knows what happens next? And honestly, that’s the thrill of it all.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My work is all about playful humor, reinvention, and bold self-expression. I take vintage art—whether it’s paintings, lithographs, or other ephemera—and breathe new life into them by infusing modern, playful narratives. I believe all art has value and that beauty can be found in the most everyday objects. Through my lens, forgotten pieces of history are revitalized into thought-provoking works that speak to today’s cultural landscape.
A key theme in my work is exploring what it means to be a woman in a world often dominated by men. While the messages I add may sometimes be subversive, they’re always delivered with humor, irreverence, and an element of playful unpredictability. My ultimate goal is to make people smile, but also to encourage them to rethink their perspectives in a way that feels lighthearted yet meaningful.
What sets my work apart is the ability to marry nostalgia with modern wit—creating something entirely unexpected. It’s incredibly fulfilling to witness how people connect with my pieces, whether it’s through laughter, a moment of recognition, or by seeing something in a completely new way.
I’m incredibly proud to have had my work featured in publications like The Independent, Living Etc., Glamour UK, Stylist Magazine, The Evening Standard, Refinery 29, Tirade World, and as part of the Saatchi Gallery’s Ones to Watch. These opportunities have been amazing, and they really motivate me to keep pushing the boundaries of my creativity.
Right now, I’m gearing up for The Other Art Fair in LA, happening February 20-23 at The Stage at Casitas in Atwater. It’s been months in the making, and I can’t wait to share this new body of work with everyone. I’m also working on a series of 3D concept pieces featuring marine accessories and animals, which I’ve reimagined and repainted to give them a completely new purpose. Exploring new directions like this keeps my work fresh and exciting—it challenges me to evolve and stay inspired.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Over the next 5 to 10 years, I think technology will play an even more integral role. Digital art and virtual galleries will continue to grow, creating exciting new avenues for artists to connect with audiences and monetize their work. Platforms like NFTs are already enabling artists to engage with collectors in innovative ways, and I believe this trend will only deepen as the digital landscape expands. We’ll see more hybrid experiences where the physical and digital worlds collide—offering immersive, interactive galleries that allow artists to reach a global audience, no matter where they are.
Sustainability has to also be a key theme in the art world’s future. As environmental awareness rises, more artists will turn to eco-friendly materials and sustainable practices, making art not just a form of expression, but also a way to address pressing global concerns. This shift will resonate deeply with both collectors and the broader community, and I believe it will become a defining characteristic of the industry.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.paintingintherude.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paintingintherude/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paintingintherude
Image Credits
Thomas Fortune
