BIO
Calgary based artist Rita Thorp paints abstract art using acrylics and mixed media. Rita enjoys the process of spontaneity and listens to her intuition. She begins with an overall theme, inspired by feelings from experiences or nature or people and chooses a palette that speaks to her from these feelings. With several brushes, tools and media, a painting will emerge responding to the layers built on each other. Canvases are displayed around Rita’s studio and house so she can view them from different perspectives and when they are called to be played with or adjusted, they are put back on the easel. A painting is done when it feels done, sometimes taking weeks. Rita’s love of colour and free style expression is evident.

ARTIST STATEMENT

Meditating on Blue series was inspired by the frescoes I saw in the Heraklion Museum on the island of Crete. The frescoes were painted with a similar colour blue which I find very calming and relaxing. From the caves of Chauvet and Lascaux thru to ancient times and to our lifetime, it’s in our nature to create and express ourselves. I am passionate about creating work that resonates with the viewers own experiences and feelings. Every morning when I open up my eyes, I say a quiet thank you to the day and night and whoever is listening. Living in a state of gratitude and awareness leads to a wonderful life of creativity and abundance. Humility makes one teachable gentleness makes one peaceable. Abstract figures Gentle and Kind, mirror each other from the sides. These paintings offer a calm beauty and awareness to what is possible. Meditate on the simple abstract shapes and titles to find peace and meaning in your own life.