The major influence on the life of Rosie Sandifer has been Brookgreen Gardens in South Carolina. It was there she studied works of the masters in American Sculpture: Huntington, French, Davidson, Parsons, Saint-Gaudens, Frishmuth and MacMonnies. From commercial art and art education training, history and travels to museums and academics worldwide she studied the works of the masters: Bernini, Michelangelo, Rodin, Degas and Giacometti. Appreciating and preserving the beauty in everyday life is one of the challenges of a sculptor. It was the sight of Dega's Ballerina that convinced Rosie to put down her paintbrushes and to sculpt. In 1989 she created the piece, Applause, which could as well be called "Ode to Degas".

Sandifer's work has been acquired for permanent collections of corporations such as McGraw-Hill Publishing, Amica Insurance Company and Cousins Market Center. She is featured in the public collection of the Democratic Headquarters in Washington D.C.