Today we’d like to introduce you to Rita Marie Ross.
Hi Rita Marie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I arrived in Austin TX in 1983 looking to get out of the cold winters in Sandusky OH on the shore of Lake Erie. One of my good friends from OH had moved to Austin and convinced me it was a great place to live. 43 years later I am still here and continuously keep meeting interesting people and collectors!
In the early years. I took my handmade jewelry to the “Drag” a market near UT. It was there I met many creatives willing to share not only their friendships but information that help steer me in the right direction to make a living as an artist. It was this network that exposed me to other shows and venues. My jewelry work had morphed from simple designs into abstracted figures and that morphed into copper sculptures! I have enjoyed making and teaching jewelry and sculpture in this area for over 40 years now! I
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I am not sure there is a smooth road to being a full-time artist. You have to believe in yourself and what you are making and show up consistently. The art part is easier for me than wearing all the hats that go with running a business, like promotion, bookkeeping, writing about oneself etc.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I make large intricate woven metal art sculptures. Most of the materials I work with are sourced from local scrap yards. Copper wire and tubing are my favorite materials! I can easily manipulate the metal by heating it with the open flame of my torch to make it soft enough to weave and bend. It can take being reheated over and over again, which is sometimes necessary for my projects.
“I love the movement” is the repeated response to my work. My sculptures reflect my memories of movements, be it from a dance performance, the way a wave created a repetitive pattern, etc. Use your imagination! I am an observer and tend to seek stillness in the evidence of movement. I am weaving my life’s tapestry, my history, our history all together. We are connected to what we have experienced and this work is meant to be peaceful, interesting and beautiful. The shadows created by light throughout the day interact with the open weave of the work adding a whole new perspective. It’s the new perspective part that I hope is felt by people viewing my art.
Over the 40 plus years I have been making my art, I haven’t seen anyone using the same techniques I have developed! It is not lost on me that I feel more confident at 70 than I ever have and I am excited to be take on new challenges in both jewelry making and sculpture!
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
When I was younger, I was somewhat fearless about approaching people that I thought had exceptional metal art. Many of those artists invited me to their studios to discuss their work and process. The bottom line is “get out and see art!” Go to an art opening or art festival and talk to the artists that you admire.
Taking a class is also a good way to find a mentor. Volunteering to work in creative situations can give insight and opportunities.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ritamarieross.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ritamarieross/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ritamarierossart?fref=ts
