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August 2008

AOD:
Tell us a little bit about your background?

CAROLYN RITTER:
My first mentor, a retired art professor from the University of Maryland, introduced me to the world of art when I was in middle school. From then on there was no stopping me! I recieved a B.S. in Art Education from Auburn University and began teaching in schools and workshops in Georgia, Florida, and Washington. I have always explored new techniques in my painting through workshops (Fran Larsen, Val Thalein, Ed Betts, and Plein Air painters of the Southeast, Joe Perrin, and Gordon Anderson to name a few).

I worked in my husband’s animal hospital for ten years which sparked my career as a painter of animals.

A painting of my cat was featured on the cover of the AVMA journal in October 2000, and a painting of a retriever was chosen for the Georgia speciality license plate in 2006. I have done illustrations for CatFancy and have been featured in other national magazines.

The State Botanical Gardens of Georgia in Athens, and Callaway Gardens have held solo shows my my work, and ArtCandy Editions has published many of the botanicals. After a recent move to Florida, I am anxious to spread my artistic wings here. The lush plants and facinating birds are calling me!

AOD:
Who or what has influenced your work? Are there any artists, in particular, you admire?

CAROLYN RITTER:
I am drawn to the movement and the intimate views in the paintings of Georgia O’keeffe. The flowing narrative landscapes of Grant Wood inspire me. Joe Perrin, Emeritus Georgia State University, taught me to concern myself with the process rather than the outcome and watch the painting unfold. That changed my whole approach to painting.

AOD:
Your portraits use a vast array of colors to capture emotions. How did your painting style develop? How do you select a feature, such as a face, to focus on within your paintings?

CAROLYN RITTER:
My personal style developed by showing up at the canvas every day and painting whether I was inspired or not. I just let the color and style “happen”. The most important feature in animal portraits to me are the eyes, and I focus on that in the beginning.

AOD:
What materials do you use to produce your work?

CAROLYN RITTER:
What ever it takes! When doing plants, I use a variety of tools to achieve the textures that make a painting so rich! I often texturize the canvas or board before applying paint using thick gel mediums mixed with gesso applied with a variety of objects and tools. I also do a lot of glazing and layering of color.

AOD:
Take us through the process of one of your favorite paintings. (From idea, sketches, etc.)

CAROLYN RITTER:
In Philodendron II, I began by spending time among the plants at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia quietly observing and taking photos. I look for interesting light and shadows as well as composition. Then I do thumbnail sketches trying to strengthen the composition and SIMPLIFY.

Back at the studio, I determine the size and shape of canvas or board, prepare the canvas, and do the drawing in charcoal. In this case (but not always), I do the entire painting in a flat pattern of black and white. While that is drying, I make a thumbnail color chart selecting warm and cool colors and I write down how I mixed them.

Then the fun begins and I go with the flow.

AOD:
How do you keep yourself motivated and interested in painting? Do most, if not all, of your artworks reflect your mood at the time of creation?

CAROLYN RITTER:
I usually have no problem being motivated. What always gets me going is a visit to some good galleries seeing what other artists are doing and thumbing through Southwest Art Magazine and Art Collector. Also, I will read some of my favorite books, The Art Spirit by Robert Henri, Life Paint and Passion by Michele Cassou, Point Zero: Creativity Without Limits by Michele Cassou, and Making Pearls: Living the Creative Life by Jeanne Carbonetti.

I don’t think you can keep your mood out of your artwork if you are passionate about painting!

AOD:
Is there any advice you’d give to those who are aspiring artists?

CAROLYN RITTER:
I would say not to wait to be inspired – paint, paint, paint! Take plein air painting. It helps you simplify your work and zero in on what is important – omitting clutter. Talk and paint with other artists who are better than you!

AOD:
Any art showings you would like to share with us?

CAROLYN RITTER:
I always have work at the Raiford Gallery in Roswell, Georgia. Having just moved to Florida, I am gearing up for the fall and winter season so watch for me in the Sarasota area. Locations will soon be posted on my website carolynritter.com. Also, ArtCandy Editions has recently released a new print of one of my flowers.

I have just posted two new animal paintings on my Web site, My Blue Heron, and Eyeballing Sparrows.

For more information about Carolyn Ritter and to view more of his work visit:
carolynritter.com