About Rowena J Draper
Meet The Artist…
Based in Pilton, Somerset, home of the famous Glastonbury Festival, Rowena lives and works within one of the UK’s most diverse and vibrant hubs of creativity, one with many stories tucked into its corners.
Born into a family of radical creatives and shaped by a life spent exploring many cultures, she has always approached art as a way of being in the world. Guided by a deep yet playful curiosity, she draws on mythical archetypes and the layered landscape of the psyche, transforming the mundane into the magical with an illustrative, storybook charm. Her work reclaims the wild edges, subversive and often tongue-in-cheek, calling back instinct and animal nature with a quiet rebellion.
“I love to shake up old fairy tale narratives as a kind of rewilding process—it feels medicinal”
Her Practice
Working primarily with acrylic on canvas, paper, and wood, she incorporates found materials into her work, reimagining fabrics, ornate frames, and forgotten objects. Through a kind of deep listening, these elements become part of an intuitive dialogue between artist and material, a quiet invocation of instinct.
Her practice often extends beyond the canvas into murals, live painting performances, and immersive spaces she calls “Alchemical Playgrounds,” inviting people to step inside the art rather than simply observe.
More recently, she has begun exploring digital media, expanding the same exploratory, intuitive approach.
Tales of Ro Gallery
Tucked just off the High Street in the historic market town of Shepton Mallet, Tales of Ro Gallery is Rowena’s working studio and exhibition space.
Visitors can experience a curated collection of original works alongside giclée prints and smaller pieces, offering a closer sense of her creative world.
Opening times vary, so visits are best arranged in advance via message or by calling 07794 273978.
Alternatively, you may happen upon the gallery open while passing by.
The Crown Inn, Pilton
Rowena’s work is permanently displayed at her destination pub, The Crown Inn, a much-loved 17th-century pub in Pilton, Somerset, on the doorstep of Glastonbury Festival. Inside, her playful touch runs through the interiors, original artworks, and murals in the garden’s bespoke play spaces. In 2022, they undertook a full refurbishment, with Rowena leading the interior design, including Glastonbury-inspired hotel rooms.
Today, The Crown Inn is a thriving community hub, alive with good food, local ales, and a rolling programme of music, comedy, and gatherings.
Artwork Commissions
Rowena Draper welcomes enquiries for art commissions, murals and bespoke pieces. If you’re interested in commissioning original artwork, please get in touch with a few details about your space, idea or project, and Rowena will be happy to discuss possibilities.