Macon artist’s work reflects the pain of chemo, and the joy of being cancer-free
Have you met Rhonda “Sunshine” Miller or seen her work?
She’s a talented, self-taught, local folk artist and you’ll get your chance to do both today, the first First Friday of the year amidst a whole lot of other art, entertainment, good food and great shopping in downtown Macon.
A reception for Miller’s month-long, solo show at the Macon Arts Alliance’s 486 First St. gallery is from 4-7 p.m. with an artist talk at 6 p.m. The exhibit is called “The Outsider” and shown is not Miller’s latest work but it is recent work done while undergoing chemotherapy for cancer.
She’s cancer-free now, but she captured some of the trauma in her art as well as a surprising joyfulness she brings out even in tough times.
Hence the nickname Sunshine.
I talked to both Miller and Sierra Busch, curator at Macon Arts:
“Rhonda’s work tells the story of the struggles she’s been through,” Bush said. “But at the same time, as anyone who’s met her can tell you, you’re attracted as much to her wonderful spirit as you are to the bright bold colors she uses. Her work and her personality are infectious.”
Bush said behind Miller’s bright colors and found objects something is being communicated, a story is being told.
“Yes, I was creating these pieces while going through chemo and what I’ve created is something that comes from deep inside of me,” she said. “The story behind it is that pain and anxiety but I also want people to see and understand that art doesn’t have to be beautiful, it doesn’t have to be perfect, but it has to come from feeling from inside you. From your soul. Art can sometimes be ugly but still be healing. Art is healing. It doesn’t have to be pretty.
Miller stresses she is untrained in any classical sense.
“I’m a folk artist and have my own style,” she said. “I don’t copy anybody, I just get my canvas and paint how I feel. I have plenty of inspiration from other people’s work and style but I never copy anything.”
Though her cancer is in remission, Miller said she still deals with depression despite the Sunshine vibe people pick up from her.
“It’s dealing with depression and anxiety that first made me want to paint,” she said. “It’s my medication – that’s what it is. Creating is my medicine.”
How does Miller feel about the show?
Her work has been shown in many places around town for the last several years and has sold well, even been taken to Atlanta, Boston, California and Hawaii. But this is her first solo experience.
“Oh, I’m scared, really scared,” she said. “But I’m really happy. I’ve been to so many shows at Macon Arts and seen what others have accomplished and thought, ‘I want to be here. I want a show here.’ It’s a dream come true. I guess the big thrill is knowing they found me. Somebody is looking and they see me and understand me and what I’m doing. It really is something.”
Miller said she’s pleased the first painting she ever did will be in the show. And she’s happy about the dress she’ll be wearing to her big event. I’ll let it remain a mystery and only say it fulfills another dream she’s had and comes from a really big idea.
And it’s pure Sunshine in the way Miller uniquely shines even on her darkest days.
A few doors further down First Street The 567 Center for Renewal is opening a show featuring the brightly exuberant work of Marthalyn Fortson called “Light Out of Darkness.” The reception is from 5 to 8 p.m. and light refreshments will be served.
A door down from the 567 at the Green Light Gallery, visitors can drop in from 2 to 8 p.m. to see sculptures done by Ric Geyer, fine woodworker and founder of Triangle Arts Macon. An interesting note: Miller credits Geyer as being the first person to appreciate her art enough to show it. She said time and again she’d shown her work to people but it was Geyer who saw it and said, “That’s great; I love it; bring it down here and let people see it.”
Or something like that.
A block over at 332 Second St, the McEachern Art Center continues its showing of works by Mercer University art students in an exhibition called “Work in Progress.” Hours are 4-8 p.m.
Among other First Friday events is comedian Sam Miller at the Capitol Theatre making his first Macon appearance at 8 p.m. Video games, trivia and cosplay are the thing at Reboot! Where you can play your favorite old games. The gaming tournament is at 6 p.m. while trivia begins at 9 p.m. following an 8:30 p.m. signup. A cosplay contest follows trivia. Brando brings original electronic music to JBA! starting at 10 p.m. and country rock band, The Peach Street Band, make their Macon debut at The Hummingbird Stage & Taproom at 10 p.m.
For the family, Hello Boba invites all to their Family Game Night where board games are pulled out for fun until 9 p.m. During the evening, with every large Boba drink purchased there’s a kid-sized Boba for free.
Make it an evening downtown and enjoy the restaurants, shopping and being out and about with friends and neighbors.
For more on First Friday, search Facebook Events for NewTown Macon’s January First Friday Page. For more on Miller, search Rhonda Sunshine Miller on Instagram and Facebook.
Contact writer Michael W. Pannell at mwpannell@gmail.com.
