Art by Rita Spiegel
I’m Rita, founder of Art by Rita Spiegel. Society may say I’m a “senior”. I call myself a 57-yr old young-at-heart, female artist, dog mom and nature lover. Watercolor is my medium and my main focus is pet portraits and nature. Most of the time, I work with pet "pawrents", who love and cherish their animals.
I paint memories. My art’s theme, the love and spirit in your pet seen in their eyes
How did I become an artist? Most artists say they’ve painted since childhood. That statement pertains to me as well. I have sketchbooks dating to Elementary school. Looking back, I see the start of my current work. Dogs, animals and nature filled my childhood drawings and paintings. As I grew up, these subjects remain. With encouragement from my family, I attended San Diego State University, graduating in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts, in Applied Arts and Sciences.
What do I love about watercolor? The flow of water, color and layers, created on paper, gives the soft quality I reflect in my subject’s personalities.
My vision in painting pet portraits is capturing their little spirits on paper. I begin with an inspiration photograph. I paint their eyes first, connecting to their personalities and spirit. I envision the portrait coming to life and continue with my painting. As an official “Dog Mom” adds a unique perspective to my art, reflected deeply in my pet portraits. I use the energy of the animal in my work.
The love of animals, the spirit within them (particularly dogs), transcends social boundaries. It’s easy for people of different colors, sizes, gender or physical abilities to accept the same for dogs and other animals. The unconditional love of a pet is inclusive and accessible to all people. My theme, my paintings reflects this through each animal’s eyes.
My dog Cocoa, a rescued Pomeranian (see her painting), is my inspiration. Turned into a shelter as a puppy, with a wounded eye, that couldn’t be saved, Cocoa was adopted out and return with a broken elbow. All before she was 18-months old. Now, she’s a happy dog. Cocoa even paints (and sells) her own paw-painted bookmarks too. She motivates me to paint the loving relationship and memories “pet parents” have with their animals. You can even follow Cocoa on Instagram and TikTok
Like other artists, I’ve encountered challenges. In 2006, I suffered a stroke. Painting was critical in my recovery, both emotionally and physically. I channeled my feelings into my art. The physical and mental parts of painting benefited my bodies recovery.
Along the way, I’ve had accomplishments. In December 2018, I had my first show at Backfence Society in Vista, CA; a second show in 2019 at the Vista Chamber of Commerce and O’side Wellness Workshop and in 2020, a 3rd show was scheduled, then canceled due to COVID-19. In Spring 2020, I started getting commissions, created a eNewsletter and social media accounts (Instagram, Facebook, Patreon) promoting my work. In summer 2020, I created prints and evolved my website to accept purchases. In September 2020, the Oceanside Cultural Arts Foundation chose me to exhibit from October 2020-January 2021, including an Opening Gala.
My artist future - Be part of it!
My future, promoting pet portrait commissions, selling prints and taking action to be a financially successful full-time artist.
My Long-term Goal
To publish a 45-page children’s picture book. I’ll create more paintings of Cocoa, to be illustrations for the book. She's a special needs dog, I adopted in August 2019. Cocoa resilient, whose story inspires both adults and children. They resonate with her. Her smile and her challenges. Starting as a homeless stray dog with physical limitations to a successful canine artist, living her best life. I believe her story, along with my paintings, will inspire others see the benefits of being unique and special.
How to get Involved: I have art for all price ranges.
On a personal note, I'm born on the cusp of Taurus & Gemini. Born in Florida, but a Cali girl since I was a kid. I love the beach and traveling. I'm obsessed with chocolate, loves the Rutles' Tragical History Tour, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, The Advengers and all things Harry Potter. I love reading, writing, learning different cultures, tea, coffee, and people with a strange sense of humor. I respect wit, book worms, intelligence, British humor and USA sarcasm, accents, history, strangeness, gothic style, fashion, music, movies, and all things beautiful & beautifully ugly.
So ... After all that "confession" ... please look through my portfolios and contact me to get a quote for a commission.
Share
I paint memories. My art’s theme, the love and spirit in your pet seen in their eyes
How did I become an artist? Most artists say they’ve painted since childhood. That statement pertains to me as well. I have sketchbooks dating to Elementary school. Looking back, I see the start of my current work. Dogs, animals and nature filled my childhood drawings and paintings. As I grew up, these subjects remain. With encouragement from my family, I attended San Diego State University, graduating in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts, in Applied Arts and Sciences.
What do I love about watercolor? The flow of water, color and layers, created on paper, gives the soft quality I reflect in my subject’s personalities.
My vision in painting pet portraits is capturing their little spirits on paper. I begin with an inspiration photograph. I paint their eyes first, connecting to their personalities and spirit. I envision the portrait coming to life and continue with my painting. As an official “Dog Mom” adds a unique perspective to my art, reflected deeply in my pet portraits. I use the energy of the animal in my work.
The love of animals, the spirit within them (particularly dogs), transcends social boundaries. It’s easy for people of different colors, sizes, gender or physical abilities to accept the same for dogs and other animals. The unconditional love of a pet is inclusive and accessible to all people. My theme, my paintings reflects this through each animal’s eyes.
My dog Cocoa, a rescued Pomeranian (see her painting), is my inspiration. Turned into a shelter as a puppy, with a wounded eye, that couldn’t be saved, Cocoa was adopted out and return with a broken elbow. All before she was 18-months old. Now, she’s a happy dog. Cocoa even paints (and sells) her own paw-painted bookmarks too. She motivates me to paint the loving relationship and memories “pet parents” have with their animals. You can even follow Cocoa on Instagram and TikTok
Like other artists, I’ve encountered challenges. In 2006, I suffered a stroke. Painting was critical in my recovery, both emotionally and physically. I channeled my feelings into my art. The physical and mental parts of painting benefited my bodies recovery.
Along the way, I’ve had accomplishments. In December 2018, I had my first show at Backfence Society in Vista, CA; a second show in 2019 at the Vista Chamber of Commerce and O’side Wellness Workshop and in 2020, a 3rd show was scheduled, then canceled due to COVID-19. In Spring 2020, I started getting commissions, created a eNewsletter and social media accounts (Instagram, Facebook, Patreon) promoting my work. In summer 2020, I created prints and evolved my website to accept purchases. In September 2020, the Oceanside Cultural Arts Foundation chose me to exhibit from October 2020-January 2021, including an Opening Gala.
My artist future - Be part of it!
My future, promoting pet portrait commissions, selling prints and taking action to be a financially successful full-time artist.
My Long-term Goal
To publish a 45-page children’s picture book. I’ll create more paintings of Cocoa, to be illustrations for the book. She's a special needs dog, I adopted in August 2019. Cocoa resilient, whose story inspires both adults and children. They resonate with her. Her smile and her challenges. Starting as a homeless stray dog with physical limitations to a successful canine artist, living her best life. I believe her story, along with my paintings, will inspire others see the benefits of being unique and special.
How to get Involved: I have art for all price ranges.
- Commission your pet portrait of your animal or as a gift.
- Order prints of your favorite painting.
- Join my Print of the Month Club or Bookmark of the Month Club. Become a Patreon of my art. You'll receive a new piece of art every month.
On a personal note, I'm born on the cusp of Taurus & Gemini. Born in Florida, but a Cali girl since I was a kid. I love the beach and traveling. I'm obsessed with chocolate, loves the Rutles' Tragical History Tour, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, The Advengers and all things Harry Potter. I love reading, writing, learning different cultures, tea, coffee, and people with a strange sense of humor. I respect wit, book worms, intelligence, British humor and USA sarcasm, accents, history, strangeness, gothic style, fashion, music, movies, and all things beautiful & beautifully ugly.
So ... After all that "confession" ... please look through my portfolios and contact me to get a quote for a commission.
Share