Ask Onix
92-Year-Old Self-Taught Painter Gains Global Fame After Pandemic Revival
A 92-year-old great-grandfather from Oxfordshire has found unexpected fame as a landscape artist after rediscovering his passion for painting during the Covid-19 lockdowns. Robert Rose, a self-taught painter with no formal training, has produced around 50 works inspired by the countryside near his hometown of Wantage.
From Lockdown Hobby to Viral Sensation
Rose initially painted "strictly as a hobby" but turned to art more seriously in 2020 when pandemic restrictions confined him to his home. "It kept me sane," he recalled. His granddaughter, Joanna Menzies, was unaware of his artistic pursuits until she stumbled upon his work in his shed. She posted a short video of him painting on TikTok in late 2020-just as the platform was surging in popularity. The clip amassed over two million views overnight.
"It made wholly amusing reading," Rose said of the thousands of comments, many jokingly asking if he could be their grandad. "It's all part of the fun and keeps us entertained."
Scenes from a Lifetime of Walking
Working primarily with acrylics, Rose captures landscapes from Wantage and nearby villages like Grove, Ardington, and Letcombe, as well as coastal views from the South West Coast Path. A lifelong resident, he sketches and photographs his favorite walking routes, then paints them during inclement weather. "I've lived here all my life and know these spots well," he explained.
His artistic roots trace back to World War II, when paper shortages led his mother to give him a blackboard and chalks. "I'd draw tanks and army lorries-it's what got me started," he said. Though he promised himself he'd paint more in retirement, it wasn't until the pandemic that he fully embraced the craft.
Local Recognition and Growing Demand
Rose's newfound popularity led to a local exhibition at Wantage Library. His paintings of the Wiltshire and Berkshire Canal impressed the canal trust so much that they named him an honorary member. While original works have been gifted to family, prints are now sold on Etsy and at craft fairs, proving a hit with buyers.
"We're so proud-we think he's amazing. He's got four great-grandchildren, so we're hoping they'll inherit some of his talent," Menzies said.
An Active Mind and a Creative Legacy
For Rose, painting is more than a pastime-it's a way to stay mentally sharp. "It keeps me fully occupied and helps the brain," he noted. "It's better than sitting around watching TV all day."
