Meet Rhennel Joseph: Grenadian Artist

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

Hi Rhennel, what’s your definition for success?
When I was younger, because of what was projected around me–be it on tv, observing adults, society or the media–I always believed that success was based on how rich you were, and how much people liked and or knew of you. However, as I have gotten older I have come to realise that success is truly about Freedom, Confidence, Inner peace and Balance. Success to me is being able to be fully happy with yourself. Meaning: – You are in a good space mentally- You are happy with the person you see in the mirror and accept that you are not perfect and NO ONE is or will ever be; practice makes better NOT perfect. – you have found a way to turn your passion into something you share with the world; whether it brings you money or not–simply because it allows you to share you. – You are confident {enough} in yourself to be yourself, share your skills, thoughts and dreams/ goals whether or not it is liked by the masses – You have found a balance between work, play, health, family and boundaries with the outside world Ultimately success to me means you have found a way to live YOUR life how YOU see fit and you are pleased with where you are, and where you are headed! …At the end of the day you could be rich and seem ‘successful’ to society but be truly unhappy and unsuccessful personally because you are not being AUTHENTIC to yourself.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Simply stated, I would describe my artwork as ‘fictional-realism with a hint of abstract’. It is a fusion of different mediums used to convey what I am feeling at the moment, with an input of vibrant colours and details. Primarily I create paintings on canvas using acrylic paints, but I truly enjoy adding elements of different materials—be it sand, stone, shells, beads, powder, newspaper, fabric or leaves—In all of my painting. It is important to me that there is some pop of colour in my artwork! That truly adds life and personality to piece. The majority of the time, I authentically paint to release the ever flowing thoughts in my head; it is truly a calming process that just so happens to be an outlet and hobby in one. My love for colours is undeniably influenced by my culture and surroundings—You will always feel a hint of the Caribbean in all if not most of my pieces. I am greatly fond of creating texture with the materials and mediums that I use. My favorite mediums to work with are: Acrylic paint, ink, colored pencils and chalk. I tend to have a mixture of all, if not most of them in my paintings. I do not aim to create realistic art, but I do appreciate details and vibrant solid colors. I enjoy making the viewer either wonder with materials were used in making the painting, or have them wonder what truly inspired the painting. I am deeply inspired by Peter Terrin’s style of art; His colors are always vibrant and always seem to have depth and emotion in them, but are very relaxed and unique at the same time. I aspire to add some of his style to my future paintings. Artist Bio With intense passion for her craft and a desire to strengthen the world of art, in Grenada, Rhennel Joseph is a seasoned artist, specializing in abstract, perspective realism, and making use of vibrant colors across the body of her work. She attended the St. Joseph Convent, where she completed her Secondary education. While working on her Business degree, Rhennel spent most of her Summer vacations working as a Manager at Luminesque Cafe, in Nyack, New York. After completing her studies in Business Management, at the St. George’s University, Rhennel attained a Bachelor’s Degree.  She worked at 304 Boutique, where she was responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the business, as well as assist in maintaining good standing relationships with the company’s high-end clientele. The daughter of a local seamstress, Rhennel learned the necessary skills to design high-end clothing, and accessories, such as handbags and purses and home decor pieces, including linen and bedding. In the Summer of 2018, Rhennel’s artwork were on display at We Are Women Owned popup shop in Soho, NYC. Among her many accomplishments, notable pieces of Rhennel’s artwork were purchased by local hotelier (and one of the world’s largest collector of art), Naguib Sawiris, Silversands Hotel, and are now on display at his private Villa. Some of her artwork were also on display at the arrival terminal at Maurice Bishop International Airport. Rhennel also participated in an Independence Art Auction at Silver Sands Hotel. The love for Rhennel’s body of work is highly recognized and admired by Silversands Hotel, and by many art-lovers on the island of Grenada, as a whole. With honor, Rhennel designed the first artwork for Silver Sands notebooks. She also commissioned a piece for the hotel. When Rhennel is not working on her art, she can be found designing and sewing bags, tending to her dogs, modelling for local designers (less often than she should lol) and researching healthy foods and fitness lifestyle options. Lessons I have learned: -It never hurts to try; the most someone can say is NO. – Always listen to your gut and create what is true to you and makes YOU happy first–there is always a niche out there waiting for you. – Networking is important even if you may not like socialising–you would be surprised where your next work opportunity may come from Or you might be surprised where a little socialising with the right person can lead you next. – DO NOT COMPARE yourself to others or try to copy others. Try your best to stay true and develop YOU. It is amazing who you can become and what you can create if you allow your true self to live. I Simply want people to may more attention to the caribbean artist. They are truly missing out on a lot…

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I Would recommend: ATV Adventure The waterfalls Grand Anse Beach A country Drive Umbrellas (Restaurant) Aquarium Restaurant House of Chocolate (Delicious pastries) MUST HAVE Local ‘Sugar & Spice Ice Creams 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?
I would have to say my parents (Patricia & Robin Joseph)- They are both creative individuals and truly allowed me to explore being creative! Be it by painting without fear or dirtying the house lol, my mother allowing me to use her sewing machine and break her needles multiple times lol or my dad giving me feed back on my paintings, or taking by big canvases to get stretched. My Husband (Llewelyn Duncan)- He has truly encourage me along the way even when I wanted to give up! Sometimes he is confused by what I’m doing but he still supports me along the way. Elizabeth & Narelle- I am truly grateful to them for allowing me to showcase my talent as Silversands Grenada and giving me the opportunity to share my paintings with art lovers around the world. Laura Cepeda- Always encourages me to chase my dreams!

Instagram: therhenneljosephproject OR Rhenneljo
Facebook: The Rhennel Joseph Project

Image Credits
The photos of me were taken by CG Creatives – Careem Gilbert for a ‘Brown Cotton’ Photo shoot (a Trinidadian Designer)