Rhonda Gibson is an artist who has lived her motto of broken to beautiful. Taking inspiration from fallen leaves, she transforms them with colour and pattern giving them a new life.
Brisbane born and bred, Rhonda is happily married to Glenn, and they are proud parents of three wonderful young women.
In December 2020, Rhonda’s life took a sharp turn when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. The year that followed was both the best of times and the worst—marked by treatment and recovery, as well as the uncertainty of a global pandemic. It was a time when the whole world seemed to pause and rediscover what was truly important: family, friends, health, and beauty in simple things.
During this season, Rhonda also discovered her love of leaves. The fallen “litter” of the Australian bush reminded her of people cut off from their life source, left unnoticed in the shadows. What began as a form of therapy soon blossomed into a creative journey, and from that experience Leaves of Life was born.
Rhonda collects fallen leaves, never picking them from trees, and finds beauty in their imperfections. By painting them with colour and pattern, she breathes new life into each one—transforming and reimagining their splendour. This journey reflects her own, and those of others, during difficult times. With patience and loving attention, she believes we can all transform from broken to beautiful.
Process
Rhonda’s creative process begins with a simple walk—basket in hand—through the parks and bushland around Brisbane. She collects fallen leaves from Australian native trees, especially the gum leaves she loves for their silky surface and variety of shapes and sizes.
The leaves are carefully cleaned and prepared - some are pressed or dried further, while others are perfect just as they are. Rhonda retains their natural shapes and imperfections, letting each leaf’s character remain part of the finished piece.
With high-quality acrylic paint, she adds colour, texture, and pattern. Depending on the piece, a clear picture varnish may be applied to further preserve the artwork, though often the leaves are strong enough without it.
These leaves have already endured the harshest of elements—sun, rain, and storm—and will remain as vibrant and intact as the day they become yours. Ancient works on a natural canvas like papyrus are preserved to this present day, and in the same way your Leaves of Life will stand the test of time.
The result is an artwork preserved for life—completely unique, impossible to replicate, and imbued with the resilience and beauty of both nature and human creativity.