Interview by Emily Hessney Lynch.

Published February 7, 2020.

Where are you from? How did you end up in Rochester?

I’m from Webster. I went to Roberts Wesleyan College and met my spouse there. I completed an engineering 3+2 program where I did three years at Roberts and two at RIT. My first job out of college was in New Jersey at General Mills. My husband and I were newly married and working two different shifts at our jobs, and it was hard on our relationship. We decided whoever got a job in Rochester first, we’d move back there. We both got job offers within a few weeks of each other! We’ve been back in Rochester since 2008.

What are some hidden gems you've discovered around Rochester?

Growing up, I was like “I hate Rochester, I can’t wait to get out.” But when you leave, you realize how beautiful and small it is. Here, you’re not a nameless face in the crowd. It’s nice to run into people at Wegmans! Our music and arts scene is a hidden gem, and so is the food scene. I enjoy trying all the different cuisines at different restaurants. I also love the Conservatory. Loving flowers, I’m drawn to there.

If you had $100 and 2 hours to kill, how would you spend the money/time in Rochester?

I’d go do yoga at Revolution, then get a massage. Afterwards, I’d buy myself lunch at Young’s Korean in Henrietta.

What is your personal coping mechanism for cold/gray weather? 

I recently got a HappyLight, and that helps. I go to therapy. This winter, I’m trying to do yoga at Revolution more consistently. I love the community there! It’s not just going in and leaving after an hour; you can stay awhile, have tea, and chat with the artists and owners there.

What's one memory you have that captures what Rochester means to you? 

What stands out is all the festivals in the summer, especially the Lilac Festival, since it’s the one that kicks everything off. Everyone’s done with being inside their homes, and the community floods out from every town and village. I try to hit almost all of the festivals every summer. Growing up, I’d help my aunt with her booth when she was a vendor at different shows.

What do you see on the horizon for Rochester in 2020, particularly the arts community? 

Our community will continue to support local; Rochester has really shown up for artists, and I’ve seen it firsthand in the past two years of me owning a business. Our current culture and climate is shifting- people are putting their money where their mouth is. Looking at specific vendors, Ritual Clay is opening a storefront in High Falls. I think we’ll see a lot of that continue- more local artists flourishing and putting down roots in Rochester, which will only benefit the community more.

What would you like to see change in Rochester in 2020? 

With the RCSD debacle, I’m hoping there’s a big shift in administration and priorities. However we got into this hole, we need to get out and restore teachers back to their jobs. At the end of the day, it’s students who are affected the most.

Across the United States, we’re seeing a shift towards focus on antiracism. I’d love to see this continue at venues like 540WMain. We’re not immune in Rochester- we saw it with the Frederick Douglass statue being defaced. It starts with you, it starts with ourselves. We have to actively work against the current of racism.

If Rochester was a style of art, what would it be? 

It would be a modern, eclectic style- maybe even a quilt, with different components coming in that makes it beautiful. It’s not just one style- it’s all different textiles and fabrics. We’re the kind of place where an engineer like me can turn into an artist! Entrepreneurs can quit their day jobs and work from home. The fabric of Rochester is so beautiful.

Tell me a little bit about your art and the House of Roushey?

I’m a botanical illustrator. I’ve always loved flowers and plants. As a stay at home mom, I’d treat myself to flowers at Trader Joe’s regularly, but they never last. If I could have my way, I’d have flowers in my home every day of the year. That’s not realistic, so I started drawing them. Flowers all have meaning behind each one; they reflect our own lives. Beauty is more than skin deep, we have more meaning beyond the surface. I really loved that.

I got to learning about floragraphy, the language of flowers, which stems back to Victorian times. Different flowers represent different messages. People would send secret codes through bouquets! We think of flowers as just being for weddings and funerals, but I think everyday messages are really cool! I try to incorporate messages like that for custom clients, like for tattoo designs or business logos.

I like encouragement and I know I need it as a mom, a woman, and a human. I use my art as my own therapy, and I craft messages I need to hear, knowing that other people need to hear them too. I called my business the House of Roushey because I want it to be like you’re sitting in my home, comfortable sharing your story as I share mine.

What advice would you give to up and coming creatives in Rochester? 

Find something you’re passionate about and start small. Just do it. Find a craft show to sign up for and take baby steps to get there. The community of artists in Rochester is so incredibly supportive and heartwarming. I came from an industry where I was one of the only women of color and I never felt like I fit. Coming into a realm where there are so many women, it’s amazing to be embraced and welcomed and supported. There’s no shortage of people to turn to who will lift you up and encourage you. You can grow, learn, stumble, and fall and know that you’ll have the community supporting you. I love that about Rochester. Get plugged in, start small, and connect.