We've Moved On

Hi All;

Many changes have taken place over the last little while and i am going with the flow...Its been a great two years documenting my life as Artist in Residence here in my virtual studio!!!

Thanx so much for following this journey and i invite u along on my latest life journey..

come on over and check out my new digs..............


www.casasanctuary.com

In Artistic Solidarity;
Rhonda

I'm Leaving On A Jet Plane................

Well this is it...I am moving on...its been a full journey preparing to go forward to realize the dream of living in Mexico.My gal pal Joyce moved down to Puerto Vallarta (4 hours from where i will live) on the 10th of September and I am next to take off.

What I can say is that my remaining time here has been full of reflection although feeling displaced which will be replaced with culture shock soon enough...I finally took the plunge and booked my ticket(had others booked but kept changing dates as i wasn't ready with the many tasks that had to be addressed)..almost a month later than i had planned to go.but my move was a big one not to be rushed through and the time to take cleansing breaths.

Exhausted in mind,body and spirit after I left Harrsion Hot Springs and still things to do in a place of limbo,more prep for self and Kasper.

Well its all done except the many good-byes,hugs,well wishes and so on...So folks I am leaving on a jet plane and don't know when i will be back again..Stay tuned for the first newsletter from Mexico....Coming soon.....

Hasta Luego

Till We Meet Again

Rhonda

Rhonda and Kasper have left the Building.....

Howdy All;

After two years of creativity as Artist In Residence at Ranger Station Art Gallery..I have moved on!!!

its sad on one hand but there have been many rewards from this experience and the wonderful connections that were made.Realizing a living dream of a live/work space while exercising and challenging my creative skills..How fantastic is that..

I will miss the sounds of the boats on the water,the serenity and the beautiful landscape.Its been alot of work since May to downsize for my next dream.....MEXICO!! yeah babies. but things to do and some people to see before i blast off.

The packing etc was not the only things that was being tackled at the casa,I'd been asked to create a piece for an upcoming workshop in Hope on racism...so without further intro here is my piece called "Jungle Fever"

Jungle Fever speaks to ongoing racism that consistently is dialogued throughout the world.

This Mixed Media piece addresses how multi layered racism is. The black and white flowers are pretty like flowers are,however ones perspective can be the black and white of the subject matter(or is it) or just enjoy the flowers ignoring what the obvious issue is.

The Jungle Fever piece is busy not quite knowing where the viewer should begin..there are little stories and many subtleties throughout the piece.

Eeny Meeny Miny Moe..We have all heard this one from our childhood,trying to catch a Negra by its toe.

My Picture..The words written across my face are associated with the many names/labels that blacks have been called throughout ages.

I am black,no i am colored,no i am a person of color,no i am dirty,no i am a negra,no i am Afro Canadian and so on etc.

Black Market..Racism continues in the 21st century to be about those that are in power as to how its addressed,truly one can buy anything on the black market including persons of color.

As we the world progresses,there is much fanfare "to deal" with and put and end to racism.We are not even close but further away as technology replaces face to face contact allowing society to use a computer as a front to racism.

Jungle Fever digs,touches and confronts the assault of racism on this artist as a black,colored,person of color.

Lights,Camera....ACTION!!!

Since i came out regarding my intentions of making Mexico home...the journey has proven to be eventful inside and out..The amount of prep work is staggering and i am only moving me and Kasper.Interestingly enough my gal pal Joyce is also making a move to Mexico although her transition is to Puerto Vallarta we've been a support for each other as we step outside the familiar.

There is always more than enough room for learning about self when major life decisions are made, again i see exactly what i am made of. The doors are beginning to close here, there isn't a sadness but an excitement of uncharted territory,the gypsy explorer is ready for another adventure.

I've always been a risk taker and this is just another one to do. Resourceful has been a life walk for me however its not easy as in this case it would have been a whole lot easier to have piles of money to throw at every aspect of this move,this is not the case for me or the way(sigh) I've had to employ a hell of alot of faith and trust plus the support from friends during those dark moments as i hang on the side of the cliff...

Did u know that i have a huge fear of heights? however i have lived much of my life in a literal/abstract sense on the edge as i adventure into one thing or another..Some may think its foolish or is it soul -full,but u have to figure that out for who u are.

One foot in front of the other is truly easier said then done..This last month I've delighted in planned and spontaneous times with friends..I've loved every visit with you.

The several loose ends will get tied up this week,then its a wee bit of decompression and Blast Off.....Pretty soon I'm gonna jump right off that cliff with THE ACTION BEING(holy shit) , my heart in my mouth and without a parachute..its all Angel Wings Baby lol lol

The card in the pic picked this morning Stay In Your Own Skin is from the deck Trust Your Vibes Oracle Cards(Sonia Choquette)

In Artistic Solidarity;
Rhonda

Play-Full Times

Hola Dear Readers;

Summer continues to grace us with its presence...Thank Goddess!!! gotta love the blue skies and heat..Looking about the Casa and studio there is space,space on the walls,open floor space. Let me tell u its a concept having all of this free space.. Has it sunk in that very soon i am outta here.....NO! there is much to do yet before i can close the door here and walk on,However my to do me in list grows shorter by the day..

The packing and getting rid of has felt endless but as of Tuesday the studio is completely cleared out,now its the packing of my personal art collection,suitcases, figuring out storage .Well i am sure u get the picture.Life here consists of more than prep for Mexico,I'm having play-full times hanging with friends,enjoying my backyard space,dinners and much more.This time i am opting out of a going away party so its catch me if u can,if not till we meet again...

Today was a playdate,it was a blast as i facilitated my gal pals Monica and Irene in spontaneous intuitive painting,the setting was bootiful in my backyard on the water with the boats in the background and Loreena Mckenna singing away.The gals were testing a workshop out that i want to facilitate in Mexico called " Losing your Senses"

Losing Your Senses

By freeing ourselves from the intimidation that many of us feel about painting, Intuitive Painting is a way to create art that is fun. It encourages spontaneous artistic expression. No previous artistic experience is necessary. Each of us is unique and will discover the painting process in their own way, expressing our own perspective through painting with and without all of our senses and traditional tools.

Willingness to be playful and open-minded is the fundamental driving force for intuitive painting. The principle is simple: ground yourself in awareness, ease, and let your inner source guide you. Who cares how you mark up a page, as long as your marks are created from your inner-spirit?

During this four week Intuitive painting PlayShop series, we will approach painting from a fun new perspective as we take away one of our taken-for-granted senses. Based on the age-old monkey story, we will explore intuitive painted by removing our reliance on one sense each week to express (paint) our own unique story.

Last Sunday was Andy Tuckers Artist reception called "Heads Up" this is a very diverse one woman show and her many creative mediums that she does,interestingly enough her 3D works consists of trash from the bush,this show has bought some challenges from the viewers perspective it comes down to u really love it or can't stand it. so definitely its thought and feeling provoked art.

The arts council,community residents and supporters surprised me with a going away send off here at the gallery i was completely floored somewhat speechless(not for long) lol lol it was very touching and certainly the reality hit home that the hour glass will turn over soon.

The next artist in Residence Aaron M. will be incoming with new creative perspective and i am happy and ready to pass the torch on.So my readers its time to say so long for now..as always good to see ya..

In Artistic Solidarity;

Rhonda

Thank You to Megan,Pam,Crystal,Laurie,Leah,Nonni,Petra,Luchia,Ed,Brian for your help in dump runs,packing,garage sale help,etc and so on and if i have forgotten to name u here Thank You sooooooooooooo much for your support..I am very grateful!!

Plan Not To Plan

Hola Amiga's and Amigo's;

I'm somewhat close to being ready to launch into my new life although when u look about its utter chaos around here.

There has been lots of learning that I've gained from choosing to move on from Canada,some of that learning has been downright emotional..guess u are getting the picture that my heart is open and i am totally exposed this is what is called wide open people.

Life is an ongoing journey, now I'm not saying its been smooth sailing,there have been some ruts that I've tumbled into from time to time and Murphy's law has come a knocking for short visits.

Plan not to Plan is a fitting title for this posting as i had a master moving plan and boy it was pretty everything right down to the detail..In my head it ebbed and flowed my plan with beautiful classical music playing quietly in the background,OK well now lets talk about the reality.

1. I live in a rural location well if that's not enough there are no service pick ups out here. OK there is but at outrageous prices.

2. there is one of me

3. I have way too much crap( I'm past using the word stuff or treasures as this shit is outta here..gone is the attachment)

4. I have the worst stairs in the world quite steep.

5.International moves have different requirements in packing

6. The what the hell do i do with the stuff I'm keeping(way way less then when i started out)

7. Good Boxes cost money!!!

8. The reality of flying with a pet( holy!! this is a whole post in itself)

9. The ideal of thinking I'll meet my outta of here timeline...... right!!!

and so on etc............

So my initial plan has been shot by the reality of the actual day to day plan...That's the downside of my present reality...There is an upside its called the unexpected...

1. The help time from friends and goddess knows I've needed it...its manifested in so many ways

2. Gifts and surprises( ugh my tear ducts are working )

3. Pick me ups....I've needed to be picked up several times when i have hit the wall and now especially when i am almost to the finish line...phone calls,face to face visits

4. Reality Checks...no shortage of those and u know who u are!!!

5. REALLY!!! The LOVE AND HONOUR from so many of ya...

So the plan was thrown out the window awhile back and now i am free flowing emotions and all...so no worries if u see me mumbling away to myself,looking all intense, moving at a faster pace then normal...Let me go cause i am on a Mission making my way to Mexico on Manana (meaning: Tomorrow) time

Signed;

Learning and Loving Rhonda

Pics....
1.beautiful necklace from my friend Violette made by her

2.My lucky Catcus, my friend Cindy made for me..."People Love to Give Me Money"

3. Kasper boxed and ready to go

The Art Of Detachment

Hi Y'all

The sun is shining...this morning I was chatting with a friend when she said to me "I hear the detachment in your voice" hmm this was pondered when walking and sitting by the lake...what was interesting about this conversation yes I am detaching my feet are in two directions waiting for soon they will point the same way at the same time.

I feel the detachment but have no idea what it sounds like...although its been in practice since the decision was made to call Mexico home. The days of interaction are much like the last post,its about the clearing out,letting go and detaching from it all here. Let me say ya never know when my tears well up with vulnerabilities rising and the menopause can not be used as an excuse,goddess knows I've tried lol lol lol.This is big stuff but as the words are written into this posting its all good. Moving about has been part of my life however this is the second biggest clearing out process that I've undertaken.

I am now at the point with the remaining stuff that I want you to just take it...remembering several months back when my mentor suggested that I give away all my old artwork(not my personal collection) she did not come close to me agreeing, I was horrified,defensive and full of resistance..

The universe has a funny way of making one listen as three times from friends they uttered " looks like you will be traveling quite light" with a snort I dismissed that sage advice until very recently when I felt utterly trapped within all of this stuff,when the time is right there are shifts and so I shifted allowing much of the stuff to lead me especially the art pieces to where it would reside and it truly has been a beautiful experience.How happy I am knowing that what I once loved has been embraced by others that feel the connection its been humbling and insightful.

I am truly near ready to walk on into new life feeling free from old stuff to me new to u....the clear spaces has me awe struck. The hardest part of letting go is the beginning and then in my humble opinion its all uphill from there. I feel like a new and improved person trying on,doing and being detachment..its something that has definite advantages of living life.

I am detachment!!

In Loving Detachment;

Rhonda

Staying on The Path...............

Howdy Readers;
Well here I am not at Casa Sanctuary but another Casa my friends who reside in Calgary Alberta...This time out was planned awhile back and now that i am here i can't even begin to tell u how wonderful and needed it is. My friends embraced me with love and i felt i was in my second home..life has been hectic with all the many things that need to be attended to with moving to Mexico,I feel so affected on all levels very emotional as time is moving me towards launching into a new homeland and life...

I am walking a path of choice and its been very interesting far from smooth walking oh the number of small and large potholes I've fallen into...... SHIT!
this walk is not easy people,places and situations all pop up on my path and want ok really demand my attention right now (sigh) it all began with the cleanup process in the studio as its the biggest pack up to tackle,well everything plus that i was aware of and not came up inside me,I was an emotional mess..for those of u who know me ya know that i keep much of my stuff close to myself but when your clearing out in the physical sense (material goods) up comes emotional stuff and ya gotta deal cause its not going away. This is a hard and big transition in my life cause i truly do feel i am going HOME. Time to settle down for awhile all this moving over the last number of years has taken its toll on me.

In Harrison Hot Springs there is a beautiful little path that is very much about beauty,it offers up the beauty of nature,beauty of inner peace and outer peace, and the topper is that Ernie a local artist has used this path as his canvas well to be exact the trees..On random trees are clay masks...BEAUTIFUL!!! and delightful.. at the end of this path is a circle of joy in my opinion anyway it is the circle of women all women masks..

This timeout well i try to walk the path daily it brings me peace,joy and balance....its a reminder of my walk onward in life...I hope for those of u that walk or read of my ongoing journey , maybe u may find your own path or come to Harrison Hot Springs and enjoy this walk. Thanx for showing up and being here.. U Rock!!!

P:S this particular mask is my fave in the pic above...

Signed; Chilling

In Artistic Solidarity;
Rhonda

Upcoming Workshop

WORKSHOP: Lighten Up

Lamp making workshop

Have you wondered what one could do with those outdated chandeliers & lamps that no longer hold space in your home despite the fact that they are all the rage in the vintage shops,yes they do have good bones on one hand but on the other they are downright ugly...

Lighten Up is all about reinventing the old into something new. This workshop starts with the basics, each participant is given a kit with diverse items that will begin the process of rebuilding right down to the lampshade.

Participants will also learn how to wire a lamp.

June 18th.......10:00 am -4:00pm

Mission Arts Centre

33529 First Avenue,
Mission, B.C. V2V 1H1
on the corner of Catherwood

Workshop outside if weather permitting otherwise in multipurpose room of Arts Centre.

$75.00 includes Lamp Kit....if you would like to add certain fabrics,paints,odds and ends to your lamp then by all means bring it.

Please Bring a bag lunch or restaurants etc are within driving/walking distance.

Mission Arts Centre also operates a Tea Room which will be open 1:00 pm-4:00 pm

Pre-Registration and Payment are required to reserve your spot

Cheques are payable to:

Rhonda Simmonds

P.O.Box 383

Harrison Hot Springs,BC

V0M 1K0

PayPal is also available,please let me know and I can send you an invoice for payment..Please Note that there a $1.50 service charge added to registration fee.

In Need of more information.....Rhonda Email: alteredanything at shaw dot ca

Solemate Reception Part 3

Ok here are the last of the pics i will put up on the reception,it truly was a blast and i loved adding the extra touches that made it special in my opinion..Well from here we move on to wrapping up my time here in Harrison Hot Springs and my two year residency..I finish here in August not sure of the date but am working on that. Thank You again for stopping by the reception,thanx for the lovely gifts,the phone calls,email all of it makes a big difference.. Have a great long weekend..May the sunshine all over u...

In Artistic Solidarity;
Rhonda

Solemate Reception Part 2

Hi All;
Here are pics from the May 7th reception..it was a magical day..DJ'S added music throughout the day and evening. Homemade Chocolates in the shape of boots and purses made by Crystal,custom Pink and Black Cupcakes with buttons on top, A Shoe Pinata made by Krystin filled with yummy suckers and funky pins. A full food table and chocolate fountain.

It truly was a fun filled day I wanted to give back and say thanx for the support. more pics to come in Part 3..

In Artistic Solidarity;
Rhonda