Roo Waterhouse

Roo Waterhouse is a contemporary British artist renowned for her evocative paintings of bookshelves and treasured objects. Based in Yorkshire, she captures the emotional and intellectual significance of the books and belongings that shape our identities. Her carefully observed oil paintings transform still life into storytelling, reflecting not only the aesthetic beauty of well-loved spines, but also the memories, passions and inner worlds of the people who own them. Roo’s work invites viewers to connect with their own personal histories through the quiet power of the familiar.

Roo trained in Fine Art at Leeds Metropolitan University, where she developed a passion for realism and the psychological weight of everyday objects. Over the years, she has exhibited across the UK, including at Byard Art, and her work has been featured in bookshops, private collections and literary-themed exhibitions. Roo’s paintings are often commissioned by collectors who want to preserve a portrait of their personal library, a unique blend of art and biography. Her attention to detail and emotional resonance have earned her a devoted following among both art and book lovers alike.

Working primarily in oil on canvas or board, Roo Waterhouse paints with precision, sensitivity and reverence. Her compositions typically feature shelves lined with books, sometimes accompanied by other cherished objects, a clock, a toy, or a photograph. Each painting serves as a portrait-in-absentia: the subject is not a person, but a life reflected through possessions. Her use of colour and texture gives her work warmth and realism, while her balanced compositions and close framing create a quiet intensity. The result is a visual language that feels personal, meditative and rich with story.