Hi, I am Rita Thorp
Painting is my passion! I have been making art since I was a child. I have always loved painting, photography, sewing, cake decorating and even some wood working. I paint intuitively and expressively, from feelings and emotions. Many of my paintings are inspired through places traveled and people whom I meet.
Often I begin with a broad concept in mind, then choose my paint colours that reflect how I am feeling. I allow the painting to develop and come alive as I work. My mediums include acrylic paints, ink, pastels, and collage on canvas, paper and birch panels. My love of bright vibrant colours and varied design is evident. These elements are a true reflection of how I live life; happy and free flowing.
I live and work in Calgary, Alberta. My formal education is in Art History and Religious Studies, including courses in design, photography and abstract painting. For the past ten years my painting techniques have developed through lots of play and experimentation. As a professional I continue to expand and learn by participating in art workshops to stretch my creative abilities. I work alone at home however, the energy painting in a room together with other creatives is always fun and energizing. I paint to express myself and be happy therefore spreading happiness and enjoyment of my work.
Gallery Representation
Maud Gallery, Edmonton, Alberta
The Gallery George, Vancouver, B.C. (online gallery)
Past Events and Exhibitions
2013 Kalinka Group Show, Calgary, Alberta
2014 Calgary Public Libraries, Calgary, Alberta
2014 University of Calgary, Dept. of Religious Studies, ‘Homage to My Teachers’ Calgary, Alberta
2015 Artist at Home Studio, Calgary, Alberta
2016 Artist at Home, Calgary, Alberta
2017 Artist at Home, Calgary, Alberta
2018 Artist at Home, Calgary, Alberta
2019 Artist at Home, Calgary, Alberta
2021 Artist at Home Garden Show, ’21 for 2021′, Calgary, Alberta
2022 In The Abstract Exhibition ‘If I Could Tell You’ painting/January/ juried in with Southern California Open Regional Exhibition, USA
2022 Spotlight Exhibition ‘Time Waits For No One’ painting/ May 16-22 at Federation of Canadian Artists, Vancouver, BC
2022 Inspired By Nature June 24-25
Porsche Centre
Calgary, Alberta
2022 On The Edge ‘Holding on to Love and Peace’ painting/ June 27-July 17 at Federation of Canadian Artists, Vancouver, BC
2022 True Colours Exhibition ‘Shapes of a Secret’ series at The Gallery George October 5-30th, Vancouver, BC
2022 40 Years of Art-FCA celebration Show ‘Watermelon Summer and Garden Party’ paintings/November 1-13, at Hallway Gallery Space, Calgary, Alberta
2022 Open Studios/Sunday Fundays
November 6, 13, 20
Calgary, Alberta
2022 Internal Dialogues Nov 1-30 ‘Sing to Me’ painting juried in with Southern California Open Regional Exhibitions, USA
2023 Exhibizone/Biafarin February 24-March 31 ‘Live in Peace’
Commissions
2021 December ‘Queen of the Turtle Family’
2021 December ‘Finding Their Way Home’
Collections
2014 ‘fallaces sunt rerum species’ (The appearances of Things are Deceptive) Faculty of Arts, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta
2021 ‘Life is Precious’ Foothills Hospital ICU, Calgary, Alberta
Awards
2022 Believe That You Have It and You Will Have It. Awarded Bronze for Abstracts with Red International Juried Painting Competition, January 2022. Camelback Gallery Scottsdale, AZ USA
2022 Family Standing Tall. Awarded Bronze for Black and White IX (9) International Juried Visual Arts Competition, March 2022. Camelback Gallery Scottsdale, AZ USA
2022 Love and a Cough Are Not Concealed. April 2022. Received Award of Excellence with Top Art Awards Acrylic Painting
2022 Holding on to Love an Peace. Received Bronze Award for Shades of Green International Juried Visual Arts Competition, April 2022. Camelback Gallery Scottsdale, AZ USA
2022 If I Could Tell You. Placed 7th in International Achievement Awards. April 2022. Camelback Gallery Scottsdale, AZ USA
2022 Spring Dance and Heart and Hand. Honorable Mention Award. Abstract International Juried Competition, Art Show International Gallery. Los Angeles, California.
2022 Horses of Another Colour. Runner Up Prize Award. Color International Juried Competition, Art Show International Gallery. Los Angeles, California
Publications
2023 Vanity Fair UK magazine March Hollywood Issue, print
2022 House and Garden UK magazine April print and digital issues
2022 House and Garden UK magazine May print and digital issues
2022 House and Garden UK magazine June print and digital issues
2022 Tatler UK magazine June print issue
2022 House and Garden UK magazine November print issue
2022 Blank Spaces Magazine, December cover and write up. Canada
Artist Workshops and Courses I have participated in:
2023 M. Shemchuk/ Calgary, AB
2022/2021 Nicholas Wilton’s Creative Visionary Program/online
2021 Louise Fletcher’s Find Your Joy/online
2018 Susan Woolgar/Calgary, AB
2016 Blu Smith/Calgary, AB
2016 Joan Fullerton/Calgary, AB
2015 University of Calgary, AB
2014 Steve Aimone/Victoria, BC
2013 Bob Burridge/Victoria, BC
One of the best ways to make yourself happy is to make other people happy. One of the best ways to make other people happy is to be happy yourself.
Gretchen Rubin
I love making art and I love being surrounded by it. My aim is to inspire viewers with my art and infuse their space with the colour and energy it embodies.
Pink isn’t just a colour, it’s an attitude.
Miley Cyrus
Colour is my day long obsession, joy and torment.
Claude Monet
A picture is a poem without words.
Horace