The Creative Bed

Salutations from the Sanctuary...nice to see ya here.as I write this I am tying up some loose ends to take a time out actually some time away from the sanctuary as I am feeling alot of stress along with exhaustion meeting deadline after deadline.

April brings me to three months to complete all the pieces with a small window to tweak before July..Yeah I know what your saying.." you have lots of time Rhonda" well actually no as I look at the 6 studio lists that document pretty well all the pieces and what needs to be done...its the little things that can do one in. I have over thirty pieces .....SHIT!!! rather ambitious when it all this started although there is much headway being made...being smack dab in the middle of it all makes the big picture so much larger...Friends have jumped in to help in various ways and I am damn grateful...

The most interesting help I am receiving is the organizing and cleaning of the studio,now when this was first suggested I was doubtful,resistant,cynical cause I could not see this decreasing my stress as i glance at my studio chaos so I gotta say reluctantly am saying yes..I will get back to u on the outcome of studio clean/organize.

The picture of the bed is kewl huh?? this piece was given to me and it will be used as part of my show...that bed is a great symbology for how I am feeling these days there it sits waiting for me to just lay down and chill...

My time out will be a good time to rebalance,connect and just be with friends in a different environment..

No Art for awhile...unplugging from u all...see ya soon.......

May the creative force be with u.....

In Artistic Solidarity;

Rhonda

Thoughts Become Things......

Howdy Ho Readers;

I hope this post finds your life full of abundance....Although i say that i am very aware that its challenging on so many levels for many of you right now,it just seems that so much is out of balance these days.

As i step into the studio daily and realize that time is ticking to meet this enormous deadline naturally stuff has arose which has impacted my creativity in one way or another,however i am in the studio even when i am creatively blocked there i sit or clean up the studio.I had a dream of one day being and doing art and today for the last six months I've done just that.Eat,Breathe,Talk Art what an amazing journey thus far its been. It has been much about self discovery and hmm i think maybe only a couple of layers have been peeled back.

I have so many of you to thank for your support which makes my work all the more full of meaning.Because been in overwhelm mode my mentor Luchia suggested that i write all my pieces down and what needs to be completed..Holy jumpings what a task before me...This is real what is happening here in the studio!!! My days begin anywhere from 6-7 am..the morning walk(dependant on weather) is a great kickstart as i allow my mind to wander and my body moves into balance.

I still continue to love my surroundings here...the peace and quiet are my best friends

What i am trying to say as each day when i step over the threshold into the studio i find out what i am made of and its alot ,the good,bad and the ugly but still there is a part of me that holds back..not quite sure what is going to come out of me.There are surprises from when i began in my head thinking of what i was going to create,my head had some pretty strong ideas,the heart and soul translated what truly needed to be created through my hands.

Thoughts truly do become things but i think that u are not told that they have to get by your heart and soul first...

The above pics are pieces that are in progress...Do something for me actually for yourself. take time for u,treat u in a way that u want to be treated.!!

To Thine Own Self Be True and rock on in the creative world.....

In Blessed Artistic Solidarity;

Rhonda

P:S.....I've chosen to share the pics with you but i am not going to put a name to the pieces at this time..Please be aware theses pieces are all in progress...

Become A Fan On my Facebook Page......copy and paste into your web browser

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rhonda-Simmons/360161663155?v=photos&ref=ts

Art-Full

How do readers?? are ya enjoying winter in whatever form it is visiting you....I am happy with the sprinwinter(spring,winter) this year how grateful i am that being here this year that last years winter didn't repeat..yahoo!!! i continue to yearn for blue skies,humid air and sunshine..however writing that i am happy to be where i am today as an artist in residence.

Today is my six months that i began this adventure...so as of March 1st i have four months to complete my body of work!!! Yikes.i am border line overwhelm and hysteria especially when i look at the big picture..Stay with me here for a minute while i BREATHE! its full moon today

Quickening moon:
This is a month when new life is beginning, but still lies dormant. Pregnant animals, due in the spring, begin to feel the quickening of their unborn young. The earth itself is quickening, as seeds and bulbs far beneath the soil begin their journey towards the light. We know these things are coming -- and we know also that this is a good month to make plans for the future. We can dream and hope, and set goals for ourselves. Accept responsibility for mistakes you've made in the past, and move on. Magical workings this month should focus on personal achievements and advancement.

Progress is perking away in the studio,i have had to stop with bringing any new creative ideas aboard as my creative hands runneth over....

The title is fitting of my past week....Casa De Sanctuary/Studio was full up with guests coming and going...the truly kewl factor is they are all are artists..yep yep..

Monday: Krystin from Mission came for a play time in the studio...as usual we chattered and created...Krystin has worked her artistic magic on invitations for my show in July...I'll share a sneak peek soon. Take a stroll over to Krystin's blog to see more of her art.

http://www.walkingwithkrystin.blogspot.com/

Tuesday: Violette from White Rock also came for a play time but we ended up talking and brainstorming which is a bonus as it helped me push through some blocks i was having with some of my pieces.. u know the drill stroll on over, i love her work.

http://www.violette.ca/blog.html
if u scroll down a day or two u will read Violette's thoughts on her visit to Casa De Sanctuary. The title of the entry violette wrote is called "Assemblage Heaven"

Wednesday: Daniel from New Jersey USA,picked up Daniel on Tuesday night ...I met Daniel last year in San Miguel,Mexico and he has been a great supporter of me..this young man is uber talented..this is his second trip to Canada to visit me ,last year a couple of months after i returned from Mexico and this time which is perfect timing as i have been grieving Mexico lately.(it will be one year March 7th that i returned from Mexico) My new website was built by Daniel.Love his Text and Thoughts Work

http://www.danielpatrick.org/
http://www.thepricelesschapel.com/

Wednesday: I hired a couple of the teenagers from the Alternative school to come to my studio to build some of my pieces.

Thursday: I facilitate a art programme that i set up for the Alternative High School once a week,this is part of my outreach for my artists residency.

Friday:The end of an Art-full week at Casa De Sanctuary,i am exhausted but so creatively filled..Thanx so much for reading along

The beginning of March has me with a consistent full schedule but i love the fact that its all art related....I got a load of gratitude for my life right now...............IT ROCKS..

Well its 8:36pSunday night February 28thfull moon,i have a gal pal visiting but felt compelled to finish this up....Thanx so much for stopping in.......let me know that u have passed by here leave me a
word or two....

In Artistic Solidarity
Rhonda

Pictures:

1. daniel &moi in the gallery

2.Alt School art project for gallery show in April (chair)

3.Alt School art project for gallery show in April (screen)

4.Daniel working in the classroom at the alt school

5.Building of my art pieces...Justin,Harley and yours truly

6.Justin and Harley working it

7.Violette

8.Creativity by Krystin

9.Krystin

10.Studio piece in progress

Drifting.................

When I began writing this post in my head a few weeks back,I was on my morning walk on the beach marveling at the many pieces of driftwood strewn about.Yesterday was a beautiful,clear sunny coolish day ,after coming to a resolution with one of my creations it was high time to step out...The driftwood never left my mind and it was time to take a pic.

At the end of this month I will be halfway through my residency which is totally blowing my mind. The creations that want to be seen spill out of me I dream of asleep and awake which makes it difficult at times to be totally present with people unless u want a hell of alot of art talk. There are those kindred creative souls that are open to sharing this experience with me and want to know what's cooking in the studio..Thanx so much for that!!!

Mornings are a beautiful window in the beginnings of a day for me,regardless of what time I go to bed,morning appears and I am up.There are times when I do force myself to languish under the bedcovers and gaze out the window to the lake,however I am called forth to the outdoors... Many things here at "Casa De Sanctuary" are showing themselves in the flow of the creative process.. I named my show which is kind of funny cause as things go it wasn't the name that I started out with quite awhile back.

I will sign a contract specifically for the show....so get out your daytimers as my Artists Reception opening of my solo show will be July 4th 2010 2-4 pm. I share this date early as hoping that some friends that are a distance away will be able to make it.

Thus far I have 26 pieces that are in some state of progress in and out of the studio. So now my focus will turn towards completing these pieces with so many varied diverse details. I'm beginning to be excited and scared shitless cause this is real time folks...big steps here inside and out!!!

The driftwood becomes part of my sanctuary in one way or another from these morning walks and this is only a small part of what is too come on the beach so the locals say. Last week I had the pleasure of spending a wonderful evening with a local resident who resides here part time. Alex's main home is in Toronto but his family home is here in the village. This is a space that I've admired on my morning walks through the village so I was thrilled to step over the threshold.

Our evening was full of good food,spirits(Thanx Alex) laugher,sharing,becoming acquainted..Alex is also an artist a photographer to be exact and his work is very kewl!!! We shared what we enjoyed about Harrison Hot Springs and something Alex said took my breath away and I became deeply reflective.. Alex said that he enjoys the "Silence" Yes I can so relate to that I have embraced the silence in a big way to the point that its hard to move me away from here if only to run errands. If u were to ask me already what is my fave time of year its NOW...its just me,nature and the locals...tourist season is not part of the equation ........there's space all about and I love it Yes Alex especially the silence.

The environment is a fab place for an artist to create....there is no time to feel lonely..hell no with the amount of company I have out here lol lol...I am happy that u all are enjoying the Casa!!!!

Well its another creative day and so I must say my see ya sooner rather than later....

In Artistic Solidarity;
Rhonda

Create 2010...................

Salutations Dear Readers;

Warm hello's from the outback of Harrison Hot Springs....yes its becoming usual that its taking me time between postings but here I be right now. As up glanced at the title your probably wondering yeah what??? I for one do not make News Years resolutions not quite sure when I dropped it .Resolutions felt loaded with lots of pressure plus the fact that they never lasted past a month.

So I liked the idea of picking a word for the year and integrating it throughout my life. How fitting that I chose create as it speaks volumes this year doing the residency programmed.

1: to make or bring into existence something new

2: to produce or bring about by a course of action or behavior

3: to produce through imaginative skill

My plate is quite full right now with Studio creativity,projects&deadlines..growing up unlike others I didn't hear finish everything on your plate,well I'm now in a position that my plate must be cleaned before I take second helpings from the creativity buffet.

January I've had a temporary house guest,my gal pal Mary...its interesting how ones daily routine becomes modified.Although I have been able to be in my studio it amazes me how distracted I got with someone else here. Looking forward to full on focus once again now that I begin the familiar dance of routine.So please don't take it personally when I don't return phone calls&emails promptly,it will be more likely in a timely manner.

Studio process has been insightful I started out with some strong ideas on some of my pieces, the present evolvement of work is way different than I could imagine and I'm surrending to what needs to be created despite the fact that some of it is hard.

Mary was a wonderful studio voice with suggestions,praise,ideas,names for pieces and even witnessing her wade into her own creativity. The cockles of my heart are warmed when I see people speaking and working in creativity(Art is my heart).Tuesday was a wonder filled day starting off with my morning walk then studio time.around 1pm my outside doorbell rang which Mary answered,at the bottom of my stairs I hear a knock and a deep baritone voice saying" Rhonda do u want to go out on the boat" Well yeah!!! so away we go on Harrison Lake,the sun was high the water clear like glass. There were four of us thoroughly enjoying being on the water puttering away in the sailboat called "Mellow Yellow"(owned by Ernie and Irene).

As much as I am hooked on routine spontaneity is routines partner both grace my life.

Its hard to believe that end of next month 6 months of residency will embrace me.

Thanx so much for stopping in and reading the blog...I appreciate u being there.This year is an experience that is worth sharing with others.

Remember Create A Way.....

In Artistic Solidarity;

Rhonda

Pics(click on pic for closer view)

1.My 2010 word

2.Piece in progress

3."Mellow Yellow" Sailboat

4.A view of my place from the boat

5.kewl rock sculpture

6.Paula,Ernie(owner of boat) and yours truly, Mary took the pic

7.ATC workshop that i host on Friday nights in the gallery

8.Miss. Destiny who is now fixed (Awomyn)

9.Eagles and we also saw a seal(no pics of seal)

In The New Year of 2010

Howdy and Blessings of an abundant 2010;
I hope this writing finds u rested from the holidays..I return from a recent trip to Washington DC to visit my daughter. enjoyed myself but i am glad to be back at Casa De Sanctuary..

One of the sights i wanted to partake of while in DC was the Smithsonian and i did get to see one of my fave museums which was the museum of African American Art..it rocked!!! there was an artist that i truly embraced his work..

Yinka Shonibare.co.uk

The colors,subject of his work truly hit home for me on so many levels..check him out
I didn't create anything while i was away and began feeling that shortly before i returned home.
Although i am not back in the Gallery on weekends until the beginning of March, there are other spots in my daily calendar that require my attention. I am almost halfway through my residency and its been a kewl ride thus far and the experiences that has come my way.

I will be posting my new website url shortly so stay tuned...This is short and sweet but i wanted to pop into to say How Do?? I do not make resolutions anymore haven't done that for years..i try and live one day at a time.

I have posted a few pics of Solstice 2009 which i consider my xmas celebrations,in particular i would like to share one of the pics...My friend Mary and i began this when we were in Mexico on the balcony of the Casa i was housesitting..we would write our doubts ,fears in chalk on the balcony then we would dance on them while singing....we introduced this to two of my other gals pals on Xmas Day as we all bundled and walked..we wrote down our doubts and fears and respecting the privacy i didn't take pics of our words...we sang and danced away on the beach..

Happy 2010 Friends and Family

Big Hugs;
Rhonda

Pics:

1.Yinka Shonibare piece called "Black Gold"

2. Taylor and moi

3.Dancing our doubts away

4.My hood,Harrison Hot Springs...hanging with the gal pals

5.Solstice Setting

Creative Fire

Hey is that u? well its me...
Happy Solstice All!!!! my title is pretty fitting as of late there has been a creative fire raging inside of me,quite a bit of my off time is now spent in the studio creating away and i am loving whats coming out of me thus far. Which brings me to say i am sorry for those social invites that I've turned down to celebrate the holidays. Solstice has always been my big winter celebration that i do focus on,this year like last will be very quietly spent alone with the fur babies and nature.

I've been struggling alot with being here in the gray and some snowy weather as i grieve for soaring temps,blue skies and warmth of the sun. My holidays are very low key as i don't subscribe to the consumerism that is associated with Christmas,last year i was so impacted by the Mexican celebrations that i am making different choices. Although i did step out on Saturday to a house party in Abbotsford in which i had a great time,it didn't hit me that i needed that social contact with others.

Ya know i do this blog so that i can document my year here as AIR (artist in residence) i appreciate all the feedback from u and its been a surprise at how many of u do read my babble..thanx for the emails,letters ,cards & phone calls.

Luckily the creative fire continues so i will take full advantage of it and roll with it. The pics above open the sanctuary to give u glimpses into the creative workings...this is short and sweet today as i am gonna wander back into the studio.I wish each and every one of u Blessed Holidays.

Bright Blessings;
Rhonda

Pics:

1. card received in mail today from my dear Garry,this is a painting he did of the funky building i live/work in if u look close its the back of the building that faces the lake...a light is on in one of the windows which is my studio. a window is open in my bedroom,the back door i go in and out of. Main floor is the gallery,festival of the arts offices. second floor is my studio and living space.

2.This is a big ass dictionary that i picked up at thrift store for a piece i am working on.this is the before

3. This is the after of the outside of dictionary......click on pic for close up

4."A touch of elegance" repurposed mirror....click on pic for close up

5.some of my work and projects on display at the gallery downstairs

6.Destiny in one of the positions that i love SLEEPING!!!!