About the artist

Rosemary Summers

Surrealist & figurative artist · Detroit, Michigan

Artist and designer Rosemary Summers started her career as a Special Education Teacher in Detroit. After retiring in 2011, she followed her heart’s passion to become an artist, and her work is now collected and cherished by art collectors worldwide.

Her unique way of telling stories through color, line, pattern and design, in acrylics, oils, pastels and inks, has been featured in publications, juried art exhibitions, galleries and museums, and on radio, television and social media.

Shop original paintings Contact Rosemary

Juneteeth• "The Dignity of Dawn" 24x48x2 inches/acrylic

Juneteenth: The Dignity of Dawn

Her signature style

Figurative Surrealism: fantasy & realism

Rosemary’s Figurative Surreal Style expresses authentic, provocative imagery that is colorful, exciting and always tells a story. She starts from historical fact, then exaggerates it with fantasy to draw the viewer in, leaving you free to reach your own conclusions. She would rather you tell her what you see in a painting than the other way around.

Look closer and hidden layers begin to emerge: faces within faces, scenes within scenes, revealing more the longer you look. And the color is pure Rosemary: vivid, fearless and combined with a genius all her own.

What do you see? How do you feel? Rosemary wants to know.

Explore the paintings

Recognition

A story still unfolding

Rosemary Summers, elegant silver-haired portrait with a feather collar — *Rosemary Summers*Featured model, Fashion Fair Cosmetics 2025 relaunch

2025
Featured model, Fashion Fair Cosmetics relaunch
After a long and anticipated return, Fashion Fair Cosmetics came back to market in February 2025, and Rosemary was selected as the featured model for the iconic brand’s relaunch: a celebration of legacy, beauty and timeless excellence.
2025
Featured Artist, Black Creativity
Featured lead artist in one of the nation’s longest-running exhibitions celebrating Black creativity and innovation. Her painting “Date Night” was featured in the 2025 Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition.
2022
Cover of BLAC Magazine
“Black Love Will Keep Us Together” became the cover of BLAC Magazine’s February 2022 issue.
2015
Jewelry featured at the Detroit Institute of Arts
Rosemary’s custom-made jewelry was featured at the DIA, the Detroit Institute of Arts.
2011
From the classroom to the canvas
After a career as a Special Education Teacher in Detroit, Rosemary retired and followed her heart’s passion to become an artist.
2010–15
Jewelry featured at the Carnegie Museum of Art
From 2010 to 2015, Rosemary’s jewelry was featured at the Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
2009
Jewelry featured at Scruples Boutique, New York
Rosemary’s jewelry was featured at Scruples Boutique in New York City.
Ongoing
Exhibited & collected worldwide
Featured in publications, juried exhibitions, galleries and museums, on radio and television, and followed by collectors around the world on Facebook and Instagram.