Artist Spotlight: Rhonda Willman, Owner of Blind Awakening Art

Artist Spotlight: Rhonda Willman, Owner of Blind Awakening Art

Every artist’s journey is filled with moments of discovery, inspiration, and growth. For Rhonda Willman, fluid art has provided an exciting creative outlet where experimentation and self-expression come together on the canvas. Through a willingness to learn, try new techniques, and embrace unexpected results, she has continued to develop her artistic style and deepen her passion for creating. In this Artist Spotlight, Rhonda shares her creative experiences, favorite aspects of fluid art, and the inspiration that keeps her returning to the studio.

In 1978, I graduated from a local Tech school Commercial Art program, and worked as an independent Commercial artist, as well as working for a local T-shirt shop doing all the artwork for their silk screen business… this was in the days before technology, vinyl cutters and cricuts! We couldn’t design things on computers…we didn’t even have home computers then!

I hand lettered Billboards, store front windows, commercial vehicles, and sale posters for local stores. That was my income from art. My drawings and painting were my passion…but just a hobby. As time passed, other career choices and children took precedence and art was put on the back burner.

For the last 23 years, I had a very successful, but demanding Real Estate career that didn’t not allow for ANY time for art.

In 2022, I suffered from sudden vision loss. That was an absolutely traumatic , life changing event. I had to retire as I could no longer drive, see my computer, or paperwork. I don’t have a diagnosis. they know that inflammation cut off the blood flow to my optic nerves, and they can not be repaired. They believe that an unknown autoimmune disorder caused the inflammation, but they can not pinpoint the disease after over 300 tests were analyzed by the Mayo clinic.

So, after a few weeks of major meltdowns, and a few pity parties, I knew that I had to push on. I had to find a new purpose. Thankfully, I have a wonderful, and supportive family, and a husband who made his own life changes to accomodate me.

I had a lot of time on my hands, and spent much of it soul searching.

Through practicing meditation, gratitude and manifestation, I was guided to fluid art.  I had never heard of this art form but I was mesmerized by it!

I have about 15% of my vision. I can see movement, contrast, most colors, if the lighting is right.

I watched so many artists on you tube. And, I realized this is not just pouring paint on a canvas….this requires time, money, and dedication. There is so much science and experimenting involved. I have alway s been a sponge for knowledge so this was going to be right up my ally!

Describe your creative process when approaching a new paint pouring project. Do you plan your compositions in advance, or do you prefer to let the process guide you?

Honestly, it varies.  There are times when I get an idea in my head and I just can’t stop thinking about it…lol!  BBut othere times, I just grab a canvas, and paint colors that strike me at the moment. Sometimes I will test out a palette on a 4″ ceramic tile before I attempt it on a canvas. There are so many talented fluid artists out there that inspire me with their ideas and techniques.

Do you frequently use specific techniques or methods in your paint pouring work? Could you walk us through one of your favorite techniques?

I absolutely love the Bloom technique! I am still working on perfecting my “blow”! But I love when I get it right and achieve the perfect cells and lacing! But recently I have been doing a techniques that starts with 3 or 4 rings pours, depending on the size of the canvas. I only use 3 colors, black, white and 1 other. Afte tilting that, I then lay down some stripes of color at the top, and swipe through that, to the bottom, with cell activator. then I add more stripes of color at the bottom and swipe up, and over the first one, giving a “twisted” effect to the swiped pattern.

Can you share a memorable experience or a significant breakthrough moment you’ve had in your paint pouring journey?

I think the most memorable part of this journey for me has been the outpouring of love and support from the artist community and from my followers. I have met some very special people that I now call my friends.

Do you have any favorite tools or materials that you always keep in your paint pouring arsenal? What are they, and why do you love them?

I would have to say that my spinner table is probably my favorite tool. Even when I’m not spinning a project I may still put my canvas on that table. I prefer to stand up when I paint, and placing the canvas on the spinner table brings it to just the right height for me. And then my puppy pool that my spinner sits inside of has been a great way to keep from ruining my floors!

I do use a variety of other tools and probably some of my favorites would be my palette knives and my embossing tools. I can create so many different designs and patterns that bring interest to my work with those items.

How do you know when a paint pouring piece is finished? What criteria do you use to evaluate your work?

I always try to make sure that the paint is not moving any longer on the canvas. This is a lesson that I learned the hard way when I first started. I ended up with many pieces that cracked because I left too much paint on the canvas. I tend to be a bit of a perfectionist which is not always a good thing! Sometimes I find myself over working a piece trying to tweak it to get it just right when I should have just left it alone!

Are there any upcoming projects, exhibitions, or collaborations you’re excited about and would like to share with our readers?

I’ve had several vendor markets so far this spring with several more lined up in the next few months. Those are so much fun! I’ve also recently been accepted as an affiliate for several of the companies that I purchase products through. And I’m so excited to be able to promote those products!

I am currently involved in a monthly collaboration through a Facebook group called Art Kreations by Kym. All of the participating artists are provided with a base color, a dominant color, and a specific technique every month. We all create our interpretation using that criteria and record the process and either post it on YouTube, and or Facebook. It’s been fun to see what each artist creates and it’s such a great way to help promote each other’s small business.

I would love to be involved in more collaborations with other artists and hope to make that happen in the near future. I’m also in the final stages of completing my website. That has been a bit of a challenge for me, but I’m almost there! I’ll be able to offer my original artwork as well as print on demand products using my artwork.

Lastly, where can we find more of your work or connect with you online?

You can find me on YouTube, Facebook, Tik-Tok, and Instagram! And soon, on my website! For now, you can go to my site and enter your email address to get notified as soon as the site goes live!

Embracing the Journey of Creativity

Rhonda Willman’s artistic journey is a wonderful reminder that creativity is a lifelong process of learning, experimenting, and growing. Her passion for fluid art, combined with her dedication to improving her skills and exploring new possibilities, shines through in every piece she creates. As she continues to develop her artistic voice and share her work with others, her enthusiasm serves as an inspiration to fellow artists at every stage of their own creative journeys. We look forward to seeing where Rhonda’s creativity takes her next and what beautiful artwork she will create in the future.

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