Meet Rhea Diehl | Multidisciplinary Visual Artist & Creative Entrepreneur

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

Hi Rhea, what is the most important factor behind your success?
Oh, definitely the message you spread as a brand, and the cohesion of that message across the components of your brand (and yourself!). When it comes to your brand, you want the message you’re spreading to be the defining factor, or at least one of the main characteristics that will influence people to work with you. Being genuine to your brand and employing that message throughout all aspects of your life is so important, especially as an entrepreneur in times of such corruption. It’s crucial for people to be able to trust that you truly are what your brand puts out in the world. So in my case, I strive to bring light and color into an otherwise dismal, desaturated world that this life has so quickly become. While this is conveyed through the way I conduct myself as a person and treat others, it also is conveyed through my brand with the tone of voice I use, my deliberate use of color and color theory, my creative knack for storytelling, and the whimsical art style I employ in my work.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Ah, yes. The main attraction. Heh. As a visual creative, I love using specific, planned color palettes in my work to influence the emotion, setting, and psychological effects of a piece of art. Having always been fascinated by color theory throughout my years of studies, I have a passion for learning how different hues can invoke a spectrum of moods, thoughts, and other elements of the subconscious mind. I like to present a unique perspective in each and every work of art I create, whether it be in illustration, photography, or graphic design.

I wish the road to this had been easy. Having been a perfectionist since grade school, I’ve always pushed myself to exceed my goals, and the expectations of my peers. It’s helped me to develop a great work ethic and creative confidence in the industry, but it’s also become my demise, time and time again in the past when it comes to a healthy work-life balance. Admittedly, I’m still learning to find that sweet spot sometimes when it comes to taking on too much work and preventing burnout, but I think that also just has to do with my eagerness as a relatively new, successful creative in the arts & design industry to keep filling my portfolio with all of these fun, enriching projects. As of late, though, I’ve been able stay pretty balanced in my work-home-social life while completing some really meaningful and fun projects.

If I could say anything to other Creatives just starting out, I’d say: Everyone’s path and timeline is different.

The first couple of years of my career, I would see the other creatives I graduated from my university with starting to take off, and feel so far behind, finding myself feeling negative feelings of jealousy towards the people that I thrived with just a couple of years prior, and discouragement towards my own work and ideas. The insecurity I had in myself and my work when I first started constantly made me doubt if this was really what I wanted to do, if I was talented and skilled enough to pull it off. Thankfully, I grew up very goal oriented and ambitious, and I don’t give up easily; I’m very stubborn. Now, as my career starts taking off, I realize, “of course you have the talent and skills for this, you’ve worked your ass off for this for at least a decade now”. Anyway, just remember that everyone is on their own path and journey. No two timelines are the same, so focus on your own, and you’ll get there.

When it comes to what I want my brand (and myself) to be known for, a big part of that stems from my own personality. I have an altruistic nature, and I try to weave this into all aspects of my life and brand through generosity, compassion, and activism. I’ve always wanted to make a difference in the world with my art, and use it to give back to my community. Right now, in addition to running my creative studio, I’m excited to be offering my creative services full-time to a historical, non-profit arts and culture social club as their Head of Marketing. Working alongside a community of seasoned, experienced fine artists and art patrons at the Providence Art Club, this venture is currently feeding my creative spirit ten-fold; helping me make some great connections in the art industry, and giving me the opportunity to collaborate with the Providence community on art-centric and historical projects in the creative capital of New England.

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.
I’m a desert girl, 100%. I love the desert landscape, picturesque moments, and wide open night sky more than anything else in Southern California. I feel at my most centered when I’m visiting places like Joshua Tree State Park with my camera equipment, cruising the vintage thrift shops & night market in Yucca Valley, or stargazing from my Yurt, miles away from the light pollution.

One super cool spot that not a lot of people know of is Bombay Beach. It’s about a couple of hours outside of the city, but so worth the ride. If you’re into obscure art installations, mural-ized building ruins and deserted ghost-town vibes, you’ll absolutely love this tiny must-see artists’ town on the shores of the Salton Sea. Sorta close-by in Borrego Springs are these super cool, intricate copper sculptures that you’ve got to drive around the town to hunt for (thankfully, they do provide you with a map). The artist is slipping my mind right now, but they’re so worth checking out!

My other favorite spot to hang out in SoCal? Palm Springs, all the way. Between the mid-century modern aesthetic (I am OBSESSED), all the cool shops, the killer restaurants, and the clubs, Palm Springs is the spot for twenty-somethings looking to let loose. I always feel so relaxed and welcome in this progressive, inclusive town.

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?
Oh, man. I’ve had so many amazing people help me along the way on this journey. I don’t think I would’ve gotten this far without the unconditional support and endorsement from my mentor in college, back when I was pursuing my Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design. I went to Johnson & Wales University in Providence, RI for my undergrad, and Deana Marzocchi, the Dept. Chair/Associate Professor for the program, quickly took a liking to me and my ambitious spirit. Not only did she know exactly what to say to me in times of great stress and sadness (college was a rough time), but she also knew how to push me as a studying artist, and get me to push my creative boundaries and take my work to the next level. I owe her a great deal of gratitude for the success of my endeavors.

Website: www.rdiehlcreative.studio

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