So Long......Farewell

Good Beautiful Morning Creatives;
As u see from the title of this post, i am writing to say my farewells as i put Outsider Art In A Box to rest.. its been such a creative learning doing this public art project and i have met so many people that have participated as artists or artist consumers and I thank each and every one of u!!!

None of this could have been done without your input and support..Yes i am moving on but will continue to create locally and away.Above are pics of a workshop that was gifted to me and yes my fave facilitator Empty Sky,this particular workshop really inspired me on many different levels.

I still can be contacted at alteredanything at shaw dot ca i still have loose ends to tie up for Outsider. I have no regrets in doing Outsider at the time i felt it was something that needed to be done and now the time has passed.The other pic is a very interesting story and i am following some of my dreams in the next year take a look and hear their story.

http://www.careerjoy.com/index.php?q=node/386

I share also with sadness that Ruby Dogs Art House here in Vancouver will be closing its door the end of June 2008.its a great loss to the creative community.
There are great sales on check it out the address is on the right hand side of blog

So friends i must sign off as there are many things that i must do in moving on..

To Thine Own Self Be True


In Artistic Solidarity;
Rhonda

The Shape of an Artist......................

Happy Solstice;
Ok it will be tomorrow..........Can u believe it time continues to speed along and i am trying to move with it. As we spring i wanted to blog about my direction and my shape as an artist. The first pic is a picture of yours truly,yep its me Rhonda the mover and shaker behind Outsider Art In A Box now i am not one for posting my picture as like others i don't enjoy having my pic taken but felt that at times when u read blogs its like reading someones ghost stories,u see lots of words but no connection to who is writing them.

The title of this entry is fitting cause i question myself on a regular basis as to what does shape me as an artist. Well the second pic is two books i just finished recently one the Book of Negroes was gifted to me at xmas and the other is a library book,both have impacted me in huge ways and naturally more questions i am left with to reflect on.

The Book of Negroes has fueled me in working more in terms of myself as a black womin and to incorporate that into my creativity . Its interesting if one pays attention to ideas that are asking for our attention in our creative expression and
my heritage continues to nudge me until its acknowledged.

Supplies a book by Julia Cameron author of Artists Way truly validated my experiences in the Artist Community at large here in Vancouver BC. I encourage u artists to pick up this book remain open and let the words flow.I understand in many ways why i chose to remain a solo artist. I am beginning to evaluate and challenge my creative process which is a good thing it keeps work fresh.

What changes are u making in your creative process??

Are u a solo artist or more of a group artist?

What have u learned about yourself as an artist in the last year?

Well Creatives heres to springing!!!

Happy Creative Day..

In Artistic Solidarity;
Rhonda

Oops!!!

Good Morrow Creatives;
I had good intentions of writing here in blog land and it kept getting put off so here i am...The above pics are the last of my collage class with empty sky and that quality time has been missed,i feel at a loss as it kept me focused on the creativity at hand.

Taking a course is a great way to experiment,challenge and incorporate diverse approaches into ones artful expression.I must say i am looking at pushing some limits in my own art.

The first pic is a book we created the book was blank so i played with bees wax as texture,i love the color and the central theme of balance & peace. The remaining pics are empty sky facilitating our last class.I will be around a bit more the rest of month so check in..

Have a creative day ,Try it you will like it

In Artistic Solidarity;
Rhonda

The Creative Saga Continues....Yahoo!!!

Yo!!!
its another rocking sunny day and i enjoyed a nice break hanging out with the blue skies and sun...It makes the final course push over the next couple of weeks worth these sunny days and more. Ok now did u all see that beautiful mooning last night??? wasn't it beautiful??

Empty Skys Art show is still there at Havana's to be seen,i forgot my camera to take pics but may try and pop in to take some much deserved pics her work is beautiful...

Above is my art class pic and two of the womyn are getting into the class assignments,the kewl thing is i have an Art Play Date on Sunday with my good friend Cindy so i am looking forward to just playing with the techniques that i am learning. Well people course reading is calling my name, gots to go

To be continued:

In Artistic Solidarity;
Rhonda

Hail Creatives;
Another full day here at Outsider Central...I didn't make it to my art class on Monday so not much to report on that creative front, but i would like to share,encourage you to take a look at Empty Sky's Art Show that is upcoming this weekend. Click on the invitation above it will give all the details.

I am catching up on some very overdue reading for my course work,naturally i am distracted by other things going on that eat up my time but no complaints here as i love the spontaneity of my day to day life. Next week i am finally going to tackle grouting my mosaic counter top i made its more than overdue i will post pics when i am done. Its Friday in my hood and i am going to commit some time to my course as i will finish soon..Have an awesome weekend..Take a step to the creative side...

Till we meet again;
Rhonda

Rock and Roll of Creativity

Salutations;
Its Black History Month!!! this post is the past two weeks of my night class...it continues to be a learning curve and a nice balance from my academic course. Collage is an interesting medium and Empty Sky is an awesome facilitator with loads of experience..

Lots going on here at Outsider central, over the next few months i will update you all. The above pics give a bit of insight into my collage journey and i thought it was fitting to create a piece for my celebration and acknowledgment of Black History. The other pics are collage creations on a time limit the whole idea is not to over think but just do.

The last pic is a focused student,my friend Cindy. I raved so much about the class that Cindy signed up in the fourth week of class.. Gotta love the power of creativity.

Hmm u may have noticed that i removed Outsider Art In A Box Subscription(On The Right) with my present and upcoming schedule i am streamlining some of my commitments so until further notice it will be on hold.

Well i have overdue reading to catch up on and writing... Be Creative!!!

In Artistic Solidarity;
Rhonda

Flow and Ebb of Creativity......

Hail Creative Ones;
This is brief as i am on school assignment deadlines..Monday was my second collage class with Famous Empty Sky and let me tell ya she has an awesome way of creatively pushing us and my experience was being in my bliss of creativity..

Its funny how things present themselves when its time,this hands on art course came at time when i was questioning myself as an artist and my purpose. I gotta
tell ya that this brief time in this class has given me a tremendous boost and i'm feeling good!!!

The above pics are from Mondays class,yep finger painting again in fact it will be the last time so i embraced it to the fullest and the first pic are some of my papers i painted the other pics are the participants creations and some of our class tools.

Hmm where i am going with this ,well my artistic journey the past year since i took on Outsider Art In A Box ,what a ride its been i'm still bumping along here.

I've learned so much about myself and continue so...Say is Life..Well i am off to take part in the blue skies and shining sun plus do homework...


Let today be a creative day!!!

In Artistic Solidarity;
Rhonda

Creative Kickstart

Good Morning;
Its a beauty day in the Art Hood!!! Blue skies a little chill in the air but all is well. I went to my first art class last night and wow talk about hands on,the first thing we did was get our hands dirty,yep finger painting 101 does that bring back memories as
a kid....so there i was my hands were a rainbow of colors and having a blast moving colors around let me tell u,my kid was rocking in the color world!!!

Take a look at our plastic garbage bag aprons pretty funky eh!!!! The class consists of 15 people and is already pretty lively. The focus is a good thing for me right now a balance between heavy duty school work and now a creative focused course... can we say full plate.....

Well i am off to class people so have an awesome creative filled day!!!

In Artistic Solidarity;
Rhonda

Top Of The Day To Ya........................

Happy New Year Creative Ones;
Yes i am here living large in my creative world....The holidays were a blur but very enjoyed. As i glance at my day timer i see all the full squares for places,people and places that require my time and energy over the next several months.

I am taking a Post Graduate course called Building Better Communities(Art and Social Justice),i began a while back and its a challenge as an artist as well the heavy theory component. I am also taking a 9 week hands on Collage course with Famous Empty Sky at Britannia Community Center(there is still space) this starts on Monday as well as i will be facilitating an Art Party, details to follow here on the blog within the next few days.

I've noticed my own lack of creative interest and felt i needed to kickstart it so the hands on art course is a beginning. Having the time off over the holidays allowed me to reflect over Outsider. I have not truly played a part in Outsider as an artist but more of the administrator which kicks the creative stuffing right out of ya,so with this collage course i am taking on the role of artist again,i got to tell ya i feel giddy with the excitement and possibilities.

The pic above is two of my fave things drinking tea and reading..i discovered this mug in my thrift store travels and it called to me to take it home this is my fave second mug that gives me a boost in the early am as a kick off to my day.

Keep The Arts Alive Support your local Artists!!!

Good to see you all again....I will post about the upcoming Art Party Stay Tuned..

In Artistic Solidarity;
Rhonda