Artist Statement: I paint for the joy, the challenge, the satisfaction of creating something new…and because

Bio: Rhona has lived a full life in Bermuda. Educated at Whitney Institute, Mount Saint Agnes Academy and The Bermuda College before completing her studies in Toronto, Canada. She studied graphic arts at Ryerson Polytechnic Institute andgraduated from George Brown College of Applied Arts and Technology with a diploma in Graphic Design in 1977. Returning to Bermuda in 1977, Rhona married photographer and platinum printer, J. A. Mark Emmerson in October of the same year.Together they have three children, Hannah, Gordon and Joshua. All three children are also perusing creative fields. Rhona is the President and Creative Director of AAC Saatchi and Saatchi, the oldest and largest full service agency on the Island .Painting is the hobby of choice to unwind! Illustration has always been her first love and Rhona has actively continued to paint for both agency projects and galleries in her spare time. An active member of the Bermuda Plein Air Group, she enjoys the challenge of painting on location. She helped coordinated the first Bermuda Plein Art Festival. Medium: Water colour and acrylics but currently oil painting has become the medium of choice. Her many paintings are held in private collections in Bermuda, England, France, Canada and throughout the United States. Rhona’s work is also seen on many souvenir and gift items in local retail stores including china, cutting boards and t-shirts, wall murals, silk scarves, calendars and greeting cards. In addition, Face and Body painting has continued to keep her hand well practiced and colours vibrant for over 20 years at Harbour Nights and other private functions.