Meet Rhonda Sunshine Miller | Folk/ Expressive Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rhonda Sunshine Miller and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rhonda Sunshine, what role has risk played in your life or career?
When I started painting art. I never went to school for art. Just one day I picked up a paint brush and started . I started painting what was on my mind. I started doing self portrait of me. The painting looked nothing like me but it share pain. The thoughts of dying. I felt like I had already died inside. People would see my art and thought it was garbage. They laughed at it but they didn’t understand. Until one day, I walked into an art s how gallery and show my painting and said. Painting helps my mental health. I finally got transparency. I took a risk and telling people the truth that I was dealing with some mental illness. I was ashamed of what people think of me. Then all of sudden someone stood next to me and said ‘Me Too! I am glad Ibtook the rest of telling people that I suffered from mental illness

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art is more on the folk side. They say self taught! Well my art wasn’t meant to sell to anyone is was for me. A guy name Ric, told me I should sell my art. That is was different. I am glad that I listen. My art may have one eye up and the other side down. I used two faces for my ups and down. People say my art looks like Picasso but I didn’t know who he was at the time. I was only using it for my mood lol😂 I paint for my mental illness and maybe that’s what people think that’s what all artists do. To stand out. My lips and big eyes. I also have puzzle pieces on my art. It means that the puzzle box may not have all the pieces but you still see a clear picture.. I got where I am today because I have inspired many people to paint for healing. I learn my lesson with art is not to try to satisfy the buyers. Don’t change your paint style for them. If they want a certain paint style let them know that they can find someone to do it. I am not.
I want the world to know that it’s ok to be different in this world. You are not weird or strange. It’s just the people are so used to looking or painting ordinary or like others that when you paint different, they don’t know how to handle it. Keep being you. Be the eyesore in the crowd make them talk. More they talk more people want to see.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would take my friend to sugar mountain in North Carolina but it has to be in the summer! Where we can shop at the grocery store and get food for a week. and take turns preparing meals. We will watch movies, play games. We would go to the pool house and enjoy the pool. We will go shopping and dancing at different venues but most of all see the sunrise and sunsets! But we will be definitely cautious of the bears and when we finally leave, We will scream to the mountain top and say.. I WAS HERE!!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I like to shout out to Ms. Meralda no one knows her name because she a quiet angle in disguise.- she helped me and my family when we were in need.
Dr. Catherine Meeks- she taught me to respect myself as a lady. She mentored me to fight for justice and my heritage.. they are many people who came into my life and helped me BUt first, I had to show them that I wanted to change and I was not out here with my hands out.

Facebook: Rhonda Sunshine Miller