Interview
Rhonna Del Rio
Rhonna del Rio is a Filipino-American residential designer and artist whose paintings bring light, balance, and the divine feminine into homes and wellness spaces. Her younger childhood in the colorful culture of the Philippines, combined with growing up and studying architecture in the U.S., shaped her into an imaginative and curious individual. Since 2011, she has transformed sketches on recycled coffee filters into large canvases that explore breath, movement, and emotion. Rhonna blends design and intuitive painting to create work that resonates with others.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“As far back as I can remember, I have always enjoyed drawing the world around me—mainly buildings and still life, probably influenced by my father, who was a civil engineer and architect. When I was thirteen, my siblings and I moved to the U.S. from the Philippines to be with my mother. I earned my NAAB-accredited Bachelor of Architecture and have continued working as a residential designer. In 2011, however, my yoga practice took me on an unexpected creative journey. Unaware at the time that I was opening a new chapter in my artistic path, I began sketching archetype imagery on 11x11 recycled square coffee filters. Without building codes to limit my imagination, I felt truly free. One day, after completing a nonstop 108-count vinyasa yoga flow at a workshop, the small squares couldn’t contain the openness I felt. That evening, my art expanded onto large raw canvases with nearly dried interior paint and wobbly tools I used as makeshift brushes because I needed to paint without borders that night. In that moment, I realized this process had a life of its own, and my journey as an artist genuinely began. Today, while still pursuing my career in residential design, I continue creating paintings not only for myself but also for others who discover my work, hear my story, and connect with it in their own way.”
What inspires you?
“I don’t believe I can narrow it down to just one specific thing, really. The truth of life or living day to day inspires me. When I’m painting, I feel like I catch glimpses of truth and life in each piece. Whether it’s an original I started or a commission that someone has entrusted me with, I’m inspired by what moves them as well. Seeing the possibilities in something less than beautiful is really a beacon where my imagination goes to play. Every day, I greet life by embracing the uncertainty of what will unfold. I hardly go to church, but I do pray daily, first before my feet touch the ground in the morning, and at night to seal the day. Prayer is, without a doubt, a huge part of what inspires me.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“Someone pointed out years ago that my series of collections seemed to have a color tone that set each one apart. I hadn’t noticed it until then, but after that, I started to explore what was happening in my life with each series. Interestingly, a yoga teacher of mine, Lauren Eckstrom, mentioned that at one point her classes focused solely on rooting ourselves, and the color associated with rooting in the chakra system is red. When I looked back at the pieces I created during that period, I realized they were all dominated by red. So I suppose I can say that my theme is guided by the energy I’m feeling, which is also influenced by the collective energy of my community at the time of each piece.”
How would you describe your work?
“Between residential design and painting on canvas, I’ve learned how both disciplines balance each other, each with its own rhythm. For me, true freedom comes in the brushstrokes, guided by the heart. Who would have thought a path I started in 2011 would, nearly 15 years later, extend beyond my own experience and touch the lives of others? I want to keep sharing my story and the paintings that have grown from it. Each piece carries a spark of inspiration, and I never take that for granted.”
Which artists influence you most?
“‘God is a designer.’ I saw it on a hat worn by a business influencer on Instagram, and it just clicked with how I see the world and my surroundings. Honestly, I’d say the artist who influences me most is God. That said, I also find myself completely captivated by Caravaggio; the way he plays with shadows and light is mesmerizing. It’s a reminder that inspiration comes from both the divine and the earthly, and I happily let both influence me in my work.”
What is your creative process like?
“I’ve been asked this many times, and honestly, I can’t provide a step-by-step answer. There’s a lot of staring at a blank canvas, walking past it, peeking over my laptop, or lying underneath it. I wait for a nudge. Sometimes it’s a quiet thought in my mind; other times, it’s a shadow or pattern that catches my eye, reminding me of something. Those moments can send me into hours of nonstop painting, then suddenly stop—sometimes I don’t touch the brushes again for days or even weeks.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“I can’t speak for other artists, but for me, my role is to keep creating and to persist, especially when it feels hardest. I notice AI becoming more present in the creative world, and while it has its place, I believe there’s something it can’t replicate: the heart, the texture, and the imperfections that the human touch on canvas allows. Those human touches matter, and I’m confident that art lovers will continue seeking them out. I'm not sure at what point AI-generated art will lose its shine, but as the creative pattern goes, the return to heart is inevitable, and that’s where my focus remains hopeful.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“I haven’t had any major exhibitions lately, but I usually participate in our local ArtWalk. It’s always fun to reconnect with familiar faces from previous years, share what’s been happening, and see how everyone’s work has evolved—all in a relaxed, community setting.”
Website: rhonnadelrio.com
Instagram: @rhonnadelrioart
