Rhoda Miller/Artist Biography

Rhoda Miller grew up in Beach City, Ohio with her parents, Nathan and Viola, and two older sisters, SaraLisa and Katelyn. Throughout her childhood and into adulthood, Rhoda’s creativity was encouraged and nurtured by her family. After graduating from high school, Rhoda moved to Harrisonburg, Virginia, to attend Eastern Mennonite University, where she studied art and psychology.

During the fall of her sophomore year in college (November 2000), Rhoda’s oldest sister, SaraLisa, ended her life, after a long struggle with bipolar disorder and depression. Affected deeply by her sister’s death, Rhoda poured herself into her art classes. Rhoda finished her art degree in April 2003, with a final art show dedicated to her sister.

Background Information on OSPF Logo Art

Art has always been something that has interested me and consumed a fair amount of my time. At first, I enjoyed creating because it was fun, and the things I created were generally more focused on aesthetic appeal than on emotional expression. However, my sister’s death was a pivotal moment in my creative and artistic growth. My artistic style began to closely resemble my emotional landscape.

When SaraLisa died, I had a month left of the semester, and I decided to finish my classes. As a final project for one art class, I created a collage that dealt directly with losing my sister. This was the first art project that completely consumed me until I finished it. I was immediately aware of the healing that had taken place while I was in the process of creating. With each piece of color I added, I felt a little more whole, as if I was rebuilding myself through the intentional process of creating something outside of myself. After having my entire world shattered by the loss of my sister, I have felt so much healing with making something out of what was left behind. Besides memories of SaraLisa, I am only left with the material goods of this world. It is through these venues that I make new meaning in my life, through color, texture, and form. My art has and continues to provide endless healing in my life. I am honored to share my artwork with the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation. I can think of no better way to honor my sister, SaraLisa. My wish is that the image will continue to clearly illustrate the purpose of the Foundation, and that it will bring hope to those who see it.

Rhoda has used a wide range of means for dealing with her loss, through counseling, talking with friends and family, and journaling. However, art continues to be the best way for her to express her emotions on the road to healing. Her art pieces range from expressions of sorrow to joy and hope, and include a variety of mediums (mostly painting and sculpture). Rhoda feels most in touch with herself and her sister when creating, and is honored to use her art to communicate with others.

Rhoda is currently living in Harrisonburg, Virginia, where she works at a custom framing shop and gallery, as well as Crossroads Counseling Center, in the Mental Health Support Services program. In January 2007, she returned to EMU to obtain a second degree in art education, and she will graduate in April 2008.

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