About

Rita J. Romero,  is a noted California artist who has been creating fine art paintings and commissioned portraits for over 30 years. With an eye for detail and mastery of anatomy, R.J. Romero uses traditional ‘old master’ techniques to produce vibrant contemporary images in oil paints, pastel, graphite, charcoal, and digital media. The ability to capture a likeness and unique personality of her subjects has made Rita’s portrait work especially popular. Her fine art paintings and drawings have been exhibited in many art shows  and her work hangs in private collections across the United States.

My Journey as a Contemporary Artist
Like most artists, I began drawing and painting since I was a child growing up in Tucson, AZ.  From the start, my figurative drawings and watercolor paintings were more advanced than other kids my age, and I was preoccupied with learning everything I could about drawing and painting.  I have always wanted to be a classic realist artist, which I made quite clear anyone who would listen. But my parents lovingly  discouraged me from the path that would result in me becoming a “starving artist”.  It wasn’t until my late twenties that I decided my life’s mission was to become a professional artist.

After moving to New Mexico, I  eagerly enrolled at Santa Fe Community College. I became disappointed with the lack of education on traditional painting methods. While trying to be a good college student, the concept of X plus Y = Z didn’t relate to my mind, since I only wanted to learn everything I could about traditional art techniques.  While living in Santa Fe,  I was extremely fortunate to work part-time  for and study under the tutelage of renowned artist Clark Hulings. Over the next two years I  continued to refine my skills with self  study and a lot of practice.  Soon I was participating in local art shows and my paintings were accepted into the M.K. Sloan and Edith Lambert art  galleries in Santa Fe.

For several years,  a couple of marriages and other life events distracted me away from my goals.  But being an artist is a calling that can not be denied.  No matter how much I tried to suppress it, that drive to draw and paint was always burning inside me – like an addiction or obsession – making me miserable every day I didn’t pick up a brush.  In 1999, determined to realize my dream of being a professional artist, I moved to San Francisco. Over the last 10 years, with the support of local clients, the Internet, friends, and a terrific husband, I am well on my way to fulfilling all of my dreams.

The Inspiration Behind My Art
My art can be described as contemporary realism with a traditional approach. Sort of a ‘painterly realism’. I believe that the best art communicates something that evokes thought and an emptional response in the viewer, creating an experience that affects them personally.

As a painter, I am continually fascinated by the properties of color, light, and shadow, which is evident in a lot of my paintings.  Personally, I love the kind of painting that up close looks like abstract patches of paint, but when you step back the patches transform into a realistic image. I’m a big fan of Velazquez for that reason, among many other great painters. I think it makes for a more interesting painting than when everything is perfectly finished like a photograph.

Aside from figurative works, I resist falling into the trap of other well known artists who limit themselves to doing just landscapes, still life, seascapes, etc. When an artist gets well known, the public tends to stereotype them for a particular style or subject matter. That is really limiting. I get excited by all types of subjects: landscapes, portraits, still life, etc. Each idea, each concept seems to want a life of its own. Each painting or design stands on its own merits, and I learn from the creative process of each piece. Usually, the subject suggests the type of medium I choose to use to bring it to life. The properties and limitations of each medium challenge my creativity to interpret the subject how I envision it.

The creation of my art is both a great passion and very intense pleasure. The desire for perfection can be very frustrating, but experiencing the moment when your painting or drawing suddenly takes on a life of its own is one of the most thrilling feelings next to good lovemaking. But more importantly, it is an indescribable feeling of satisfaction when a viewer develops a connection with my art.  I don’t consider a painting successful until I have achieved my personal standard: to create a work of art that has a life of its own. I can think of no higher calling than to be able to create a work of art – be it painting, music, dance, etc. – that can touch people in intimate and profound ways like nothing else can.

” Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures.”
Henry Ward Beecher

Commissions
I accept  requests to create custom  artwork, however, commissioned art paintings can only be accepted if they do not interfere with previously scheduled commitments. Please contact me for information on scheduling availability. Pricing per painting will vary depending on a number of factors (subject matter, media, level of detail, etc.), and needs to be discussed on a case-by-case basis. All residual artistic rights as to the images in any paintings or any other art I create are fully retained by me (the artist), unless specifically provided for in the commission agreement.

Memberships
Portrait Society of America
Pastel Society of West Coast

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