We recently connected with Rhoda and have shared our conversation below.
Rhoda , appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
This is a love story because, in the grand scheme of things, isn’t Life all about Love? Or at least it should be?
The year was 1989. I crossed paths with a boy in Junior High, and during Spring Break, our lives intersected at the beach among mutual friends. With a boldness uncommon for our age, he asked if he could kiss me and be my boyfriend. Taking a leap of faith, I embraced the unknown, saying yes to my first kiss and first boyfriend. As the summer sun painted the skies, I found myself living just down the street from him, and soon enough, he became a frequent visitor, filling my days with laughter and adventure. Together, we navigated the streets of West Los Angeles, him pedaling and me perched on the handlebars, soaking in the joy of youth and newfound love.
As the school year drew to a close, he left me with a fortelling note that said, “You should go far in life, and hopefully I’ll be in the picture somewhere, sometime. If we ever drift… Find Me! And hold on tight.” Fast forward to my thirty-fourth year, a seasoned traveler returning home after years abroad. Acting on a whim and a distant memory, I found him and made contact on social media, a fairly new landscape at the time. After a few months of working on his branding and website, I took another risk and said yes when he asked me to come to his art opening. Over a long weekend in Las Vegas, we fell in love all over again.
The next few months were a whirlwind of fate being up in the air. We found ourselves in a long-distance relationship as I traveled across Southeast Asia and he prepared to move across the country for graduate school. When he asked me to join him on this new adventure of living together in a place we were both unfamiliar with, once again, I took a risk and said yes. In his arms, I found the courage to embrace the uncertainty of the future, trusting in our bond to carry us through whatever may come.
Now, as we stand on the precipice of our fourteenth year of marriage, hand in hand, we are embarking on a new chapter together. With hearts full of passion and creativity, we are launching happyandpappy.com—a digital space where we can share our dreams, ideas, and artistic endeavors with the world. In this shared venture, we find strength and purpose, ready to leap into the unknown once more, united in love and creativity.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Throughout my life, I’ve traversed diverse landscapes, donning various hats in numerous countries. An inherent creativity has been my guiding force, leading me on a journey enriched with profound encounters of Life and Love. Yet, it’s in my recent epiphany that I’ve come to understand my existence as a living art form.
Art has been my constant companion, an unwavering presence that has evolved alongside me. It has never left my side, merely transforming into different manifestations over time. To me, being an Artist transcends mere creation; it’s about becoming a conduit for the sublime.
Whether facilitating reiki-infused rebirthing breathwork, immersing myself fully in the roles of mother and wife, or engaging in traditional artistic expressions like painting, photography, or jewelry making, I am engaged in the same sacred act of channeling the ineffable. In each moment of presence, I am merely a vessel, allowing the essence of Life and Love to flow through me and into the world around me.
Art, in its myriad forms, has served as a lifeline for me on countless occasions—quite literally saving me from the depths of despair. Yet, amidst the canvas of life, it is the unwavering love and support of my husband and son that continue to anchor me, rescuing me from the mundane humdrum of daily existence.
Their belief in me, their unwavering faith, has been the guiding light leading me back to myself time and time again. From the tender years of our youth, when my husband and I first crossed paths, art became the language through which we forged our bond. Poetry intermingled with sketches adorned our love notes, weaving a tapestry of intimacy and connection that transcended words alone.
As our son came into our lives, his innocence and boundless creativity breathed new life into our artistic endeavors. Inspired by his playful doodles, I embarked on a venture, turning his whimsical drawings into hand-printed patches and the doodles I would draw with him into a line of T-shirts—a testament to the power of imagination and the beauty of collaboration within our family.
Bedtime stories became a canvas for our collective imagination, weaving tales that danced between reality and fantasy. One such story, brought to life through my illustrations, found its way into publication—an homage to the magical moments shared within the sanctuary of our home.
Today, as a family, we continue to nourish our creative spirits, whether through collaborative art projects, museum visits, or the simple act of engaging in thoughtful conversations about our dreams and ideas. In each moment shared, we find solace and inspiration, drawing strength from the bonds that unite us and the creative energy that flows through our collective being.
With our forthcoming venture, Happy & Pappy (happyandpappy.com), our aim is straightforward: to provide an outlet for our family’s boundless creativity. Our mission isn’t about solving problems; it’s about cultivating a nurturing space where creativity can flourish unabashedly. We seek to establish a digital home for our creative endeavors, a sanctuary where we can continue to craft, explore, and innovate purely for the love of creation.
Given the diverse array of passions within our family, we envisioned a platform capable of accommodating and celebrating each unique interest. Whether it’s painting, photography, storytelling, or any other form of artistic expression, we aspire to offer a welcoming haven for every creative pursuit.
Moreover, our vision extends beyond our own creative endeavors. We are committed to supporting our fellow artists and creators, providing a platform for their work to shine alongside our own. Our digital space will serve as a vibrant community hub, where artists of all backgrounds can come together to showcase their talents and inspire one another.
Additionally, we recognize the importance of transparency and authenticity in sharing the realities of life as a family of artists. Alongside our creative offerings, we intend to open up about the challenges and triumphs we encounter on our journey, offering glimpses into the joys and struggles inherent in pursuing a life steeped in artistry.
In essence, “Happy & Pappy” is a testament to the transformative power of creativity, a celebration of artistic expression in all its forms, and a testament to the resilience and camaraderie of the artistic community.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
Growing up as I did, it’s no wonder that self-doubt and self-sabotage became familiar companions in my journey, particularly in pursuit of my goals and dreams. Over time, I’ve come to realize that these struggles are not unique to my own story; they are a universal human experience, transcending backgrounds and upbringings. Yet, I’ve discovered that sheer willpower alone cannot banish these demons. The true key lies in the unwavering commitment to showing up, day after day, regardless of the inner turmoil.
As an Artist, this commitment takes on a profound significance. It requires sitting with the intimidating blank canvas or page and daring to create, even in the face of uncertainty and fear. It demands making a daily appointment with one’s craft, showing up faithfully to honor the creative process. And through this steadfast dedication, something magical begins to happen: the voice of the sublime grows louder, drowning out the whispers of doubt and insecurity. In the act of creation, we find liberation from our own limitations, discovering a reservoir of strength and inspiration that resides within us all.
My husband, a seasoned artist well-versed in multiple mediums, has helped me to realize this crucial lesson—a lesson that hasn’t always unfolded smoothly. Witnessing my sporadic bursts of creative fervor, interspersed with bouts of self-doubt and hesitation, his strong presence in my life has illuminated a profound truth: our creative journey is a delicate interplay between the masculine and feminine energies inherent within us.
In navigating this intricate dance, we’ve come to understand that our partnership serves as a mirror reflecting our individual paths towards self-discovery. Through the lens of our shared experiences, we’ve unearthed the depths of our own souls, confronting the shadows and embracing the light within.
When delving into the creative process, the disciplined resolve of masculine energy yearns for the fluidity and intuition of the feminine counterpart. It’s a symbiotic relationship, each aspect complementing and enhancing the other, much like the harmony found in the act of self-expression and vulnerability.
Together, we’ve embarked on a journey of embracing both the structured discipline required to manifest our visions and the innate flow that breathes life into our creations. Through mutual support and understanding, we’ve learned to navigate the ebbs and flows of inspiration, forging a path that honors both our individuality and our shared artistic vision.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on NFTs. (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)
My revelation regarding NFTs came when I realized the immense power they hold for artists. Historically, artists have navigated a landscape fraught with barriers, relying on galleries, agents, and intermediaries to showcase and sell their work. These traditional channels often imposed gatekeeping and limited exposure, hindering artists’ ability to reach wider audiences. However, with the advent of NFTs, artists can circumvent these obstacles and forge direct connections with collectors and fans through digital marketplaces like OpenSea, Rarible, and Foundation. This seismic shift democratizes the art world, granting artists of diverse backgrounds and styles unprecedented access to recognition and previously inaccessible markets.
Initially, our foray into the world of NFTs was driven by a desire to explore this burgeoning medium for our own artistic endeavors. However, as we delved deeper into the intricacies of NFTs, our fellow artists began to take notice and express interest in our journey. While NFTs themselves embody a democratic ethos, navigating the platforms, conceptual frameworks, and technical aspects of this medium presents its own set of challenges.
With Michael’s background in art curation, we naturally gravitated towards a role in representing artists whom we have collaborated with in the past. Leveraging our firsthand experiences and ongoing learning process, we have seamlessly transitioned into advocating for and supporting the artists we represent within the dynamic landscape of NFTs.
Furthermore, NFTs empower artists to maintain greater control over their work and secure fair compensation for their creations. By leveraging smart contracts, artists can embed specific terms and conditions into their NFTs, such as royalties, resale rights, and usage permissions. This innovative approach ensures that artists receive ongoing revenue from secondary market sales, providing a sustainable income stream beyond the initial transaction. Additionally, artists can cultivate direct relationships with collectors, fostering a sense of community and appreciation for their art.
Moreover, NFTs unlock new realms of creative exploration previously inaccessible within traditional mediums. Digital art offers artists the freedom to experiment with multimedia formats, interactive elements, and augmented reality, pushing the boundaries of artistic innovation. Furthermore, NFTs facilitate the development of “tokenized ecosystems,” enabling artists to collaborate with fellow creators, developers, and collectors to create immersive experiences and decentralized applications (DApps) that showcase their work in dynamic and engaging ways.
In essence, NFTs herald a paradigm shift in the art world, empowering artists to reclaim ownership of their creations, reach global audiences, and push the boundaries of creativity. As this technology continues to evolve and gain mainstream acceptance, it has the potential to revolutionize not only the creation, sale, and consumption of art but also the way it is experienced and appreciated by audiences worldwide.
Contact Info:
- Website: happyandpappy.com / awakethetribe.com
- Instagram: @happy_and_pappy / @awakethetribe / @happyandpappy.nft
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rt
odoran/ - Opensea: https://opensea.io/collection/
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