Meet Rhonda Babb

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Rhonda Babb a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Rhonda, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

I spent my career in the professional arts working for clients as a brand marketer and graphic designer. Despite my success as a commercial artist, I knew I needed something more. I am here to do something else and have a more profound personal mission. Though I didn’t realize it then, in 2005, I took the first steps on a journey that would change my life.

Somewhere between Hurricane Katrina and Al Gore, it became clear that our world was in trouble. In the mid-2000s, climate change was an imminent threat that we were only starting to recognize. Disquiet and an urge to use my skills for something more positive drove me to learn about sustainability and living a life of meaning as much as possible. I poured myself into my studies—enough to earn a Master’s in Sustainable Design from a local university. Yet, it still didn’t feel like this was enough.

Fast forward to 2020 and the pandemic. This pause gave me time to reflect and finally allow the artist within to emerge. I learned how to screen print and fell head over heels for the process of making art. I continued to learn skills as a printmaker and, in 2023, decided to create fine art for my full-time career. I decided to make art that talked about social issues and climate change.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

The Hope Symbol Project aims to raise awareness of our accelerating climate catastrophe. I am using visual communication tools and art to emphasize the urgency of this issue in the hope that we can build a better, more inclusive world for today and tomorrow.

Through my brand, I ask that you, the individual, better understand the issues. Once they are more evident to you, I ask that you develop a decision filter to help you make positive choices about people and the planet. Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu first taught us that a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. Start on the path of sustainability. Once you do, it will be hard for you to turn back. Even simplistic actions will make a big difference and lead to significant changes.

My work is currently shown in art galleries and online. I am developing future projects that will be larger and seen in more public venues.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

When I attended art school as an undergrad, I had the forethought to choose a major that offered the widest variety of skills. When I went to school, computer graphics were in their early days. Even at a young age, I knew this was a moment when everything in the design industry would change. I also wanted a basic knowledge of typography, drawing, color theory, and graphic design. So, having a varied skill set helped me get work early in my career. I suggest staying curious and learning the basics. No matter what technology comes down the road, it is important to be well-rounded.

As I have gotten older, I am loosening up and more open to new possibilities. When I left school, I thought I had a clear life path. I wanted to achieve career and life benchmarks at certain ages. In many cases, these were expectations placed on me by society, my bosses, my parents, etc. These weren’t the things that I wanted, and achieving them didn’t give me a sense of satisfaction. I understand now that it is vital to listen to your inner voice. It is okay to take a road that is less traveled. Thankfully, I figured that out before it was too late for me.

Most importantly, be open. Never stop learning. I am still enjoying taking classes, reading, and trying new things. Knowledge and experiences are what life is all about. Being open to receiving information and skills keeps your mind engaged and sharper.

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?

I am a late-blooming emerging fine artist. It took me a long time to reach the point where I could make art my vocation. I am VERY fortunate to have a support system that allows me to do this. That said, the art world is highly competitive, and sustaining an art career can be daunting unless you are a well-known artist. My current challenge is navigating the art business and simultaneously making new and relevant work.

There are so many talented, unique artists out there. I am figuring out where I fit into this space, how I can get my work seen by a larger audience, and how I can sustain this work financially. My work is not just art, for art’s sake. I have a particular audience that I am reaching with my message. To work through these issues, I have joined an artist group and have engaged a coach to help me grow my art practice. I also study others who have been down a similar road to see how they have worked through similar challenges.

Contact Info:

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Resilience
Where do you get your resilience from?

Resilience is often the x-factor that differentiates between mild and wild success. The stories of

Productivity
Beating Burnout

Often the key to having massive impact is the ability to keep going when others

Leadership Development
Finding Your Why

Not knowing why you are going wherever it is that you are going sounds silly,