Paintings worth RM30,000, but artist earns just RM80 a month

KOTA KINABALU: Despite producing paintings valued at up to RM30,000, artist Rosemary Yvonne Marcus, 45, earns just RM50 to RM80 a month, largely due to limited marketing opportunities.

The talented artist from Telupid, who has hearing and speech impairments, previously attracted the attention of the then Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah in 2023.

Her younger sister and manager, Mary Ann Marcus, said Rosemary's artistic talent had considerable potential to be developed into a sustainable source of income if given wider commercial exposure.

"Rosemary works mainly with acrylic and oil paints, with prices varying according to the size, print type and level of detail of each painting," she told Bernama.

Mary Ann said her sister had developed a keen interest in painting at the age of nine and had continued pursuing her passion ever since.

Mary Ann currently handles all promotional and marketing activities for Rosemary, also serving as her official interpreter.

She said the paintings were mainly sold at local exhibitions or promoted through WhatsApp to interested buyers.

Those interested in supporting Rosemary or purchasing her artwork can contact Mary Ann directly at 019-840 4899.

Recalling the royal encounter in 2023, Mary Ann said Al-Sultan Abdullah had purchased three of Rosemary's paintings, featuring portraits of the King alongside Britain's King Charles III and the Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah.

Another painting, titled 'Kota Jesselton Merentas Masa', was presented as a special souvenir to Sabah Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Musa Aman in conjunction with his 74th official birthday.

Rosemary has also painted portraits of internationally acclaimed actress Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh and national songstress Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza Tarudin.

Her other works include 'Raraa', depicting a girl in traditional Kadazandusun attire, 'Yin dan Yang' featuring fish, as well as 'Rumandawi' and 'Moonderland'.

Mary Ann said Rosemary hoped to establish her own art gallery in her hometown of Telupid, requiring an estimated RM50,000 in start-up capital.

The gallery would provide a permanent platform to showcase and market Rosemary's paintings, while also offering exhibition opportunities to other local artists.

However, the plan has yet to materialise due to difficulties in securing funding or sponsorship.

Apart from financial assistance for the proposed gallery, Mary Ann said her sister also needed better painting equipment to further enhance her work.

She hoped more organisations and individuals would offer exhibition spaces in high-traffic areas to help artists with disabilities gain wider exposure and earn a more stable income.