About The Artist

 

"I’m constantly overwhelmed by the simple beauty and uniqueness of everyday life. "I work to capture a moment or a feeling, or to present an ordinary subject in a new way. "I want to hold the viewer a moment longer with a sense of wonder, or  perhaps a bit of humor. "Life is short and fast. I want to slow down and see it.”                    ~Rita Kirkman

Rita Kirkman was born an artist. She was drawing portraits of friends and family members by the age of 11, and had her first paid portrait commission at 17. While still in school, she began a 12 year career sketching quick portraits at amusement parks.

“Hey, I can draw you in five minutes!” was a frequently heard catchphrase from the portrait stand at Cedar Point. The competitive atmosphere among the artists had the ambitious ones cranking out a portrait in well under 5 minutes. “I think my record was 2 minutes and 45 seconds!” laughs Kirkman. These days Rita still does the same quick portraits at venues such as the San Antonio Rodeo, and her caricatures can be acquired at dozens of Texas festivals and events throughout the year.

But there’s more to this artist than quick caricatures. For several years Kirkman has been improving her artistic skills and expanding her subject matter, achieving international recognition and awards. Her work has been published in The Artist Magazine as well as others. She is a Signature member of the Pastel Society of America and a recipient of the Master Circle Award from the International Association of Pastel Societies.

The vibrant colors and detailed strokes that make up her paintings bring to the viewer an unexpected emotional response. Those paintings featuring her children are especially sweet. Portraiture, wildlife and landscapes all benefit from the talented eye of this artist. "Life is too full to only paint one thing. Everything I see gives me ideas!"