Rita Wilson is an accomplished artist and writer with over twenty years of experience as an educator. She has won several awards for her artwork and has been published in Rune and Riverspeak Literary Magazines, wolfmatters.org, Voices from the Attic, the 100 Lives Anthology, and Wisdom of the Crone. Her first book, Greek Lessons: A Cultural Odyssey, includes several photos of her paintings. Better Times, the painting of her mother and grandmother that graces the cover of her book, won first place in the West Hills Art League annual exhibit and was juried into the Webster Arts Relationships Exhibit. Rita was admitted to the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh in 2022. A proficient oil painter, she has recently begun exploring watercolor and enjoys experimenting with a new medium in her home art studio in Moon Township. She is excited to announce the recent publication of her novel When the Only Light is the Moon by Sunbury Press.
Artist’s Statement and Writer’s Thoughts
My involvement with art includes the vision of shapes and contrasts, the challenge of composition, and the tactile joy of mixing color on the palette. I’ve learned to appreciate objects as shapes and shadows, and I enjoy transforming photos, ideas, or three-dimensional objects into visual interpretations on canvas. Using a palette knife allows me the freedom of experimentation, enabling me to move the paint on the canvas, changing direction, scratching, and blending until I am satisfied with my creation. I mix my colors from a basic palette and work within this minimal palette to create a rich spectrum of colors and shades. My art reflects the passion and personality of the people and places I paint.
My writing process is like my painting process. Within each, there is the matter of composition. With writing, I’m taking words, thoughts, expressions, and ideas, and arranging those elements on the page to form a cohesive, interesting story. Just as I enjoy transforming ideas into a visual interpretation, I also delight in transforming ideas and thoughts into narrative.
