Today we’d like to introduce you to Rhonda Braatz.
Hi Rhonda, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My art journey does not have a typical beginning, I do not have an art education. I began my working career as a restaurateur. I have owned three restaurants throughout my life. I moved from the Pittsburgh area in my twenties to New England. I managed different restaurants along the coast of Cape Cod before moving to Nantucket where I owned and managed my own restaurant. I came to know and appreciate many local artist and enjoyed working with them to carefully choose art for the walls. In the kitchen each plate was prepared to not only be delicious but also a piece of art. I guess I’ve always been creative in different ways. I could say that a person needs to be creative in navigating through this life. Let’s be honest, this world is full of people just trying to get through the pain and suffering of love, loss, and broken dreams. We manage, or should I say create our own ways of dealing with loss. I lost a child and it is a pain like no other. I truly believe that we shouldn’t forget the past as that is a part of who we are and grief is healthy, but we do not need to live there. Life is a gift and we have the power to create the life that we love and want we just need to believe in ourselves. Now, don’t get me wrong I am not a doom and gloom type of women but I do live in this world. I can see the suffering and at the same time I see the beauty of this world all around me. My art journey began about ten years ago when I picked up a paint brush and realized what a therapeutic and healing thing that happens when you paint. Something happens in your heart and mind and it has a way of letting you know that everything is going to be alright. That everything inside of you will work its way out. Well, that way out comes onto canvas and its a work of art. A one of a kind work of art. I have three different styles, one is the beautiful places and people that I see and I recreate them onto canvas. I enjoy the landscape of Charleston and what a privilege it is to see everyday the beauty of nature and the people that live here and hearing their stories just makes it so special and personal. The second type of art I create is digital drawings. At the end of the day when I have less energy I enjoy sitting down to not only draw but to reminisce of my past. Yes even the hurts, betrayals, and the dark places and people of my past that have made the light so much greater for me. I draw and create my deepest most personal feelings and then let them go out into the world. The third type of art I create is abstract. This is where I can let go completely with full abandon and freedom of expression through movement and color. Choosing color palettes is such a moody, emotional step in creating. I enjoy working with large pieces of loose canvas and getting physical. I get a lot of inspiration by studying the many great women and men of art. Helen Frankenthaler, Tracey Emin, and Vivian Suter are a few of the women artist I admire. Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko and Willem de Kooning are among my favorite male artist. I hope to keep learning from them but always stay true to myself. I have a deep seeded desire to someday make my own personal masterpiece and that one person will understand it completely and when that happens my artist heart will be complete. Until then I will keep making art.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I believe one of the biggest challenges in my art practice is staying disciplined and free at the same time. They need to co-exist together and it’s not always easy. You know, painting daily while also having a family to care for and many other responsibilities. Is there really balance in life, I find that kind of amusing because there are so many interruptions in life that need our attention and they are important but it equally important to paint so I guess there are just choices that we have to make. The biggest obstacle in my art practice is balancing the actual time spent making art and the business side of it. I think we know which way the pendulum swings for an artist, but no matter how you look at it, it needs to be ran as a business.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I mostly work on canvas with acrylics and oils. I do enjoy working with paper mache and clay when I’m craving something different.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
I’ve learned to always follow your heart and stay true to your own beliefs no matter what. There are so many influences out there in the world fighting for our attention. I take bits of advice from others and listen closely but in the end I’m the one making the choices. We only one life to live and I am the only one that can create what that looks like no matter what the circumstance.
Pricing:
- $500 – $20,000
Contact Info:
- Instagram: miss_rhondas_artistic_design
- Facebook: miss_rhondas_artistic_design
