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

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

Happy Winter Solstice

Greetings;
Happy Winter Solstice one and all.......... Winter Solstice also known as Yule, Christmas, and Saturnalia, occurs in mid December. It celebrates the birth of the new Solar year and the beginning of Winter. Colors are Red, Green, and White. This is a festival of inner renewal.
The Winter Solstice is unique among days of the year — the time of the longest night and the shortest day. The dark triumphs but only briefly. For the Solstice is also a turning point. From now on (until the Summer Solstice, at any rate), the nights grow shorter and the days grow longer, the dark wanes and the Sun waxes in power. From the dark womb of the night, the light is born.

Winter Solstice is my celebration for this time of the year and so i've been bringing solstice in a big way,last night i organized a cookie drop in, great turn out 14 womyn with many sweets in hand and then tonight off to a solstice party. The pics above is a funky mirror hanging in my office kewl eh!!! Yes that is the cookie table early evening it got fuller. Well dear readers i am signing off now until the New Year .......Happy Holidaze from Mi Casa Su Casa.


In Artistic Solidarity;
Rhonda

The Gifts Of Creative Xpression

Happy Solstice Blessings;
Its beginning to look alot like celebrations are a brewing....People ask me do i like Christmas and yeah babies i do!!! actually what i like is celebrations that happen through out the year and creating my own celebrations which i have gone ahead an done this year for Winter Solstice ...My year has been challenging many loses but then there have been new beginnings so ya see it all balances out in the end is the way i see it. I choose to see the good stuff even when i am sad at times.

Posting has gotten lost in life these days with school deadlines an all,I will be working on a big assignment over the holidaze no rest for this artist ok ok a couple of days lol lol.

The pictures are stories in themselves....The Solstice card is one i made this year to send out i love collage...

Are ya trying to think of a funky gift to give what about an Art Subscription to Outsider Art In A Box..Check out how easy it is ,look in the right side bar and click away. For the past couple of weeks i have been at the post office sending subscriptions for Outsider thus far Australia is the furthest.

I have had the pleasure to soak up art events and last week was the Vancouver Art Gallery seeing the Georgia O'Keefe Exhibit.(Thanx Lynne) I also went to a local artist opening at the Radha Yoga and Eatery on Main St,what a kewl space..the artist i saw is Famous Empty Sky i love her work and will be taking a workshop from her in the new year.

I also went to a dinner party where creativity reigns throughout the space and the owner herself is a creative..at each of our plates was a cute stash of chocolate. Sweet eh!!!

Well i am off as i am on a deadline for an assignment that should have been in last week oops... i will be taking a break tonight to go on a dinner cruise to see the xmas carol boats and lights(more pics to come)

So come on create your celebration!!! I would love to hear how u do up your celebrations leave a comment

Art On

In Artistic Solidarity;
Rhonda

Have U Been Waiting Long........

Yes its me Rhonda,I live and breathe and sure didn't reliaze that time has passed by so quickly..

Outsider continues to live.life is creatively busy but wanted to update all on whats happening here at Outsider Central!!!

So i will begin with some peek-a-boos from Maxine Finch who creates chain mail keychains they are very kewl and Isabella one of our younger artists and very talented ,here are her darn it dolls aren't they they too cute.

I am actually creating more these days not sure how i can fit my bigger sculptures though into Outsiders Small boxes..


The other pics are my office is and where i work out of part time doing my other creative stuff and yep headquarters for Outsider Art In A Box.Stay tuned in 2008 for some funshops and info sessions on Outsider.

I hope this blog finds everyone well and creating away...

In Artistic Solidarity;
Rhonda

Thats What I'm Talking About.....

Hello Hello;
I'm finally here are u??? Soon to be Hallows Eve
can i say oops i forgot about my space here as i was enjoying life.Well i got NEWS!!!

Outsider has a new home and we are in the process of moving in yahoo!! I gotta tell ya its an exciting thing. We're gonna be in the hub of it all.For you vancouverites Outsider will be located at the corner of Main and Broadway in the old Lee building,we will be located on the second floor in office space i have one office and a friend has the the second space..Also there is a reception area,sitting area,kitchen and storage space..The total square footage is 633 sq feet but its soooooooo cute and cozy.

So in a nutshell that's what i have been doing is breathing some new life back into Outsider. Thank You to those people who contacted me privately to ask what is happening. There is more news to come which i hope to reveal soon. OUTSIDER LIVES!!! Stay Tuned More to come.....

Create On People, I'm glad to be back on board again.

In Artistic Solidarity;
Rhonda

Fall Back

Hello Artful Ones!
Here we are in September already holy creative where does the time go. I am feeling the surge of creativity flow through me and its like an old familiar friend giving me a warm hug. All i can say is Awomyn to having my creative mojo back!

Which brings me to the pics above, Outsider behind the scenes is alot of hands on work before the art work is put into the art vending machines. working with a shoe string budget has its challenges and so above are the boxes which are cut out and put together each box takes approx 3-5 minutes per box and its very time consuming and its something that i truly procrastinate on. so i am taking baby steps daily to build up my box inventory. so send me warm vibrations to get at it. As the title says i am now ready to fall back into Outsider and get reacquainted with this public art project.

Happy Fall Back Day

In Artistic Solidarity;
Rhonda

The Pattern Pieces Of Life......

Merry Meet;
Can u believe its almost September, Hmm i wonder is my clock spinning faster than usual.Life continues to unfold here at Outsider Central as i put one foot in front of another. I truly have been on a long break and continued evaluation of the project. I am slowly getting back into creativity as somewhere i lost the will of creative expression it just up and left. Slowly i feel that deep within voice and feeling of creative expression in me but i need to be gentle for fear of losing it again.

Yesterday i got overwhelmed with a creative burst of energy and i nudged it into a slow motion action,a small hall wall was calling out for an identity of its own,wallpaper came to mind but what??? i glanced around my space and there was my whole case of pattern pieces calling to be put on the wall it was a very fitting exercise of emotional and creative exploration.As each piece of the pattern had its place and refused to be slapped into place without some thought.

Unfortunately i was unable to get a decent picture of the patterned wall but i will keep on trying...My dear friend Cindy E. bought me a new digital camera as a belated birthday gift so that i could continue to go forward in my life and capture my creative expression. Thank-You Cindy for your support of me and my art!!!

Well people i wanted to pop in and say hi...Have an awesome day

In Artistic Solidarity;
Rhonda

FREE THE CREATIVE SELF WITHIN..............

Small Spaces & Artist Of The Month

Hello My Creative Ones;
Yes i live and breathe....After a short break and transition here i be...I have moved home and studio together in a very funky area of Vancouver BC...

I am now living in a small space which is a given when living in the city and your on an Artists budget..The first pic above is my art wall in my small space..

Outsider is tucked in storage and boxes while i put it back together again and look for studio space that has a tad more of a permanent feeling. I could write my own Artists Survivor series...

Artist Of The Month is Andrea Flaa and u can find her kewl creative expression in small from the art vending machine and some truly funky large pieces at Ruby Dog's Art House check it,above is a sample of her work....Enjoy and please support the arts!!!

Hey Good to be back blogging to ya

In Artistic Solidarity;
Rhonda

Moving Right Along................

Hi Everyone;
Checking in with a brief update.... I will be moving house and studio very soon and so my time has been occupied with finding space...Much of my stuff which includes the studio will go into storage.

As some of u are aware i lost the studio due to the programme i was sharing with closed their doors and i had hoped to take the space over but the landlord doubled the rent,so my dreams went up in smoke. I have had to let go of 80% of Art Stuff which has been very sad ,other things are on hold or in limbo re:Outsider Art In A Box and I am sorry about this.

So Please Hang In There I shall return..Upcoming is a new artist of the month at Ruby Dogs Art House for August.

In Artistic Solidarity;
Rhonda

Create Your Way...................

Good Morrow...........
I hope the weekend was full of rest,relaxation and for u creatives loads of expression. After last week being a tad down and unsure where Outsider is calling home,i decided to get over it and just go with the flow and flow i did this weekend.

I received beautiful unexpected blessings and lessons...Unfortunately i never made it to the studio this weekend the intention was there but the flow was taking me elsewhere but thats why i am up early this beautiful Monday so i can make a creative dash and create while i have the space...

So the pic above is a story i would love to share about flowing. Thursday Night the phone rang and someone was going on about i wasn't sure what and i assumed it was a pesky telemarketer i was just about to blow them off when i heard Outsider Art In A Box mentioned, hmmm my ears perked up and i tuned in...Well it so happens that Molly Clark(on end of phone) a producer for a Art Series out of the USA was surfing on the web and came across Outsider Art In A Box and they would like to interview me on their way to Alaska.

Well needless to say i was in my art centre and my mood increased tenfold,maybe life didn't suck after all lol lol

So it was arranged for Saturday as they were coming from Seattle...Well Saturday dawned and the beauty day called forth and so onward i went flowing... it was an awesome day spent with fabo friends,loads of spontaneous events took place and there i was right in the middle of it... Well early afternoon came about and no call from Artland yet??? My friend and i were still hanging and she was in need of food our location was on beautiful Main St.

I suggested several places that were very crowded and so i finally said we gotta go to Sollys that place rocked and we could sit and and enjoy the outside tables. So there i sit at Sollys with the perfect Outside seat taking it all in, when suddenly i see this oversize RV turning left in huge letters and very colorful written on the Rv ARTLAND!!!

Imagine my surprise and i am thinking wow and then hey i am supposed to get interviewed,well they roll to a stop in front of Sollys i go up and knock introduce myself to Claire part of the production team of Artland, So she explains to me that the cameraman was unable to cross the boarder and so everything was set back but they would be in touch and still would be interested in the interview,Molly Clark who spoke to me on the phone was also back in Seattle trying to problem solve so that their cameraman could continue the journey.

For more info about ARTLAND .................WWW.ARTLANDUSA.TV

So that was an bonus part of my day on Saturday, it always amazes when one door closes other windows and doors open.. If anything i know of this weekend that Outsider will continue to live and be part of my journey,this public art project has taken me down many roads inside of self and outside in the real world..

Thank-You for those that stuck with me through the growing pains its been damn appreciated let me tell you!!! and hey if you are stopping in here leave me a comment say hi!!! I love to hear from those that stop by..

Well my people its time to sign off and jump into another day of adventure and some unknowns..

Create On!!

In Artistic Solidarity;
Rhonda