Originally from Rhode Island, Rita received a Bachelor of Arts degree with a concentration in Art Education from Rhode Island College. She joined the Navy after college and was able to absorb a wealth of artistic inspirations while traveling to exotic places around the world. For the past twenty-two years, she has been applying her artistic energy to her costume business, where she designs and sculpts large foam promotional costumes (hot dogs, ice cream sundaes, etc.) for fast food franchises.
Now living in Arizona, Rita has expanded her activities back to her fine arts roots and has taken several local classes and workshops. She enjoys experimenting with a variety of media, and trying to capture the rugged beauty of the desert, in landscape and wildlife painting. She is currently a juried member of Arizona Artists Guild, Scottsdale Artists’ League, Mesa Artists League, Wildlife Artists Association, and founder of Phoenix Outdoor Painters and Sketchers.

“I am always interested in experimenting with different water media, especially acrylic, casein, and gouache. I love to capture the essence of nature in my paintings, keeping my drawing representational but my colors festive and imaginative. My real passion is plein-air painting, and I paint outside every chance I get.”