Legacy
Rosalie Grace Heacock Thompson (1927–2022) was fiercely protective of her art. Over eight decades, she safeguarded her paintings, drawings, prints, and journals—moving them with her across states and homes, carefully storing and cataloging them, and rarely letting pieces out of her hands. She believed her body of work was not only her artistic record, but also her voice, and she held it together with determination until the very end of her life.
When Rosalie passed away, just sixteen days before her 95th birthday, her collection—now more than 500 works on paper and canvas, as well as sketchbooks, journals, and art materials— were inherited by 3 of her nieces, Marti, Catherine and Cindi. She was known to her family affectionately as “Aunt Pody.”
We, her three nieces, have taken on the role of curators and stewards of her artistic legacy. Our responsibility is to protect, document, and share Rosalie’s life’s work with collectors, scholars, and anyone who values plein air art and the landscapes she so deeply revered.
RHT Collection Today
The archive of Rosalie's works includes:
More than 500 works spanning oils, pastels, woodblocks, intaglio prints, and over 450 plein air watercolors.
Dozens of sketchbooks and journals, where Rosalie documented not only her visual impressions but also her thoughts on light, weather, and the spiritual dimensions of painting.
Exhibition history and framed works, many prepared and priced by Rosalie herself for gallery shows across California and New Mexico.
This collection remains intact because of Rosalie’s vigilance—and now, our stewardship continues that tradition of care.
The Curators
Marti H. Bledsoe
Marti studied art with Rosalie from childhood and painted alongside her during plein air family gatherings. She currently works primarily in monoprints and ceramics, with a particular interest in monoprinting on clay and raku techniques. As one of Rosalie’s inheritors, Marti has been central to photographing and cataloging the collection.
Catherine H. LeBaigue
Catt is an oil painter whose style leans toward abstract realism. She is currently refining her practice through courses at Santa Fe College and online studies. With a professional background in post-production for television and film, she brings a keen visual sensibility to her stewardship of the collection. Like her sisters, she first studied art with Rosalie, an influence that continues to shape her work today.
Cindi H. Fries, Ed.D.
Cindi is Professor Emeritus of Teacher Education and founder of Max Travel Abroad LLC, where she designs and leads curated travel experiences in Europe. As the lead archivist of the collection, she has overseen the photography, cataloging, and preservation of Rosalie’s work. Though her own professional career has been outside the visual arts, she continues Rosalie’s legacy through scholarship, storytelling, and curatorial care.
Continuing Rosalie’s Vision
As stewards of this legacy, our role is to share Rosalie’s plein air vision with new audiences while preserving the integrity of her collection. This website is both a digital archive and a living gallery—a place to honor her devotion to light, landscape, and the spiritual practice of painting outdoors.
Explore the Portfolio to view Rosalie’s works or read more about her life and influence on the Blog.