Meet Rhia Black | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rhia Black and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rhia, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I have always been a creative person and I have always used my art as a way of coping through stressful times. It only seemed natural to start trying to sell my art and skills after I started making way more crafts than I could keep. A family member suggested that I try to start selling some of it and I haven’t stopped since.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I consider my artwork to be a blend of dark fantasy and American traditional imagery. I try to really mix the two ideas and aesthetics together to create pieces that are dreamy and full of symbolism. I have a whole world in my head, and I try to make pieces that bring that into reality.

The journey of creating and selling hasn’t been easy, but it has been worth it. I have been able to make all kinds of connections and friendships by just putting myself and my work out there. I feel like I have come so far since I started Skeletons Make Things and yet I have barely seen the tip of the iceberg. Through it all, I have learned to try to be confident in my skills and stand by the message I want to convey.

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.
If I had someone coming to visit me from out of state, I’d defiantly have to take them on a day trip to Bishop’s Castle in Rye, Colorado. If they are anything like me, they feel at home in the woods and there is no place like it on earth. If we were going to stay in Colorado Springs, we would have to check out Manitou Springs and Old Colorado city to see some of the other local artists and metaphysical shops. I’d take them to diner at Mother Muffs and we would probably catch a show at the Black Sheep.

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 owe the drive and passion I have for creating to my Grandmother. She was an artist herself and always encouraged me to try new things and to keep creating, even if I wasn’t confident in what I was making. I also have to shoutout my parents and close friends who were my first cheerleaders.

Website: skeletonsmakethings.com

Instagram: Instagram.com/skeletons.make.things

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skeletons.make.things/