User:Lou-Andrea Callewaert/Rhonda Dicksion/Bibliography

Some of these sources were copied over from my proposal as I use many of the same sources.


 * 1) Dicksion, Rhonda  The Lesbian Survival Manual: Cartoons Naiad Press Publishing (September 1st, 1990)

Reviewed officially by google as a “marvelous debut” for lesbian cartoonist, Rhonda Dicksion, The Lesbian Survival Manual was published in 1990 during a time when Lesbians and many queer individuals were fighting for their rights, especially in the United States (where Rhonda Dicksion is based). The book contains various numbered "lesbian survival hints". It is filled with cartoon-style strips portraying many different scenarios involving lesbians through a humorous, lighthearted tone with mostly subtle references to bigger issues. With very little shading and a less sexual, more juvenile art style, Dicksion's storytelling is comforting, meant to make readers have a laugh.


 * 1) Dicksion, Rhonda The Erotic Naiad: Love Stories by Naiad Press Authors Naiad Press Publishing (November 1st, 1992)

The Erotic Naiad is an anthology written by lesbian authors all working with Naiad Press and Publishing. It is a grand collaboration among lesbian literates and is reviewed as passionate tales of love and sex amongst women. At the time of its publication, in 1992, there was still a heavy stigma against the media portraying explicit relationships between same-sex individuals. For Rhonda Dickison, collaborating on this project put her on the map with other queer artists and she began to gain notoriety for her freelance cartooning soon after.


 * 1) Dicksion, Rhonda Stay Tooned: Cartoons Naiad Press Publishing (October 1st, 1993)

Continuing her streak of comedic and satirical approaches to the lesbian experience, Rhonda Dicksion wrote and drew Stay Tooned in 1993 and it was published the same year by Naiad Press on October 1st, 2023. Stay Tooned explores not only the aspects of lesbian relationships, lesbian individuals, but also dares further. Dicksion wrote about interracial lesbian relationships. The cartoon wasn't as popular as her other works, but reading through the signposts and humorous anecdotal comic strips, Dicksion normalizes the lesbian relationship, making it seem accessible, simple, and as common as straight relationships, a feat just as important as groundbreaking queer fiction.


 * 1) “Rhonda Dicksion.” Rhonda Dicksion | Fine Art by Rhonda Dicksion, https://rhondadicksion.com/ . (date accessed: October, 2022)

Showcasing her history, current works, awards, gallery, blog, and contact information, Rhonda Dicksion's website is one clearly designed by an artist. Through her website, Dicksion's journey as an artist becomes clearer. Though there isn't much focus on her work as a queer author, there is mentions of them as well as a directory on where to find them. Her professional information is all stated in her about me page as well as bits and pieces of her inspiration for her works and achievements over the years of her career.


 * 1) Dicksion, Rhonda. “Rhonda Dicksion.’” Annkullberg.com, Color Magazine, (20 May 2021), https://annkullberg.com/rhondadicksion

In her own words in an interview, Rhonda Dicksion made her name in Fine Arts when she became the editor-in-chief of Color Magazine. She additionally teaches courses through the website Annkulberg.com giving insight into her specialties. Her expertise is honed in colored pencil art specifically and in collaboration with Ann Kulberg, other aspects of finearts. There is very little relation to any of her 1990s work as a queer cartoonist, but through different editions and courses she teaches, you can see the influence that cartooning has had on her current work. One of the courses she teaches is on cartooning and if you read through the description, her past works are listed as course materials.


 * 1) Carolyn, Shark. “Vibrant and Bold Color Pencil Drawings by Rhonda Dicksion I Artsy Shark.” Artsy Shark, 25 July 2020, https://www.artsyshark.com/2020/07/27/featured-artist-rhonda-dicksion/.

Carolyn Shark, an art critic, writes about Rhonda Dicksion's work in a blog post format, showcasing Dicksion's later 2010s artwork. Through a critic's eyes, Dicksion's work is described as full of color, unique, vibrant, bold and clearly inspired by her earlier artwork as lighthearted and joyful. It's important to know not just the statistical evidence of how an artist's work is received but also qualitatively through showcases and reviews such as this.


 * 1) Waverley, Hannah, “Interview with Rhonda Dicksion”, Tsuga Fine Arts Association, (September 14th, 2021) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaEXx5dPelU

In an interview with the Tsuga Fine Arts Association, Rhonda Dicksion and her interviewer examined Rhonda's life as an author and artist. Given that Rhonda Dicksion doesn't have many appearances caught on film, this interview provides background from the author/artist herself. Speaking candidly about her past and techniques, Dicksion reveals how she got into art and storytelling as a child and later into Fine Arts. Through her many trials and defeats, Dicksion also shows how persistence and passion were the key to her success. This interview not only aids in information gathering but in getting to know the author from the author herself.


 * 1) Colored Pencil Society UK, “Rhonda Dicksion”, CPSUK, (2020-present) https://ukcps.org.uk/index.php/award-winners/398-award-dicksion

Credibility comes with credentials and Rhonda Dicksion has many. A part of the Colored Pencil Society of the UK, through their database it seems Rhonda Dicksion is the recipient of many awards. The Lyra Award for Exceptional Merit was given at one of her art shows titled Desert Gods, a colored pencil art show. One of her works titled Still Life With Harvey won second place at the Edmonds Art Festival in 2019 and another titled Wanderlust won first place. Her list of awards and achievements is even longer and extremely important to her journey and recognition as an artist.


 * 1) Colored Pencil Society America, “Rhonda Dicksion Portfolio”, CPSA, (2018-present) https://www.cpsa212-arizona.org/uploads/1/0/1/4/101460856/cpsa_212_portfolio_page_rhonda_dicksion__1_.pdf

Organized by the Colored Pencil Society Association, this source is far more visual than explanatory. Its value lies in the sheer collection of works gathered in one place. With an introduction by Rhonda Dickison, the rest of the portfolio was organized by the association as it states on their website, in order to showcase her art.


 * 1) Arizona Artists’ guild, “Rhonda Dicksion Collections”, AAG (2020-present) https://arizonaartistsguild.net/membership-2/#!biz/id/62c203a7db007338a15c8eb2

Invited by the Arizona Artist’s guild to be a member, Rhonda Dicksion was instated as a member. The importance of her work cannot be denied as well as her influence on her chosen art forms, cartooning and colored pencil art are recognized across the board and in the AAG she contributed to over five exhibitions and many of her most popular collections are still listed on their website.