Art for the Environment

2015-2 Fire Below_RRoberts


“The Fire Below” 14″ x 14″ Oil on Canvas

Art for the Endangered Landscape Show and Sale

 

This painting sold at an exhibit sponsored by Community Partnerships Gallery at Adams State University, Alamosa, Colorado last December. Proceeds go to help us keep Wolf Creek Wild.

Wolf Creek Pass and its heavily used highway corridor hold a critical place in the ongoing struggle to balance natural systems with human disruption. The pass bisects some of the wildest remaining primitive country in the southern Rocky Mountains. To the north of the pass is half-million acre Weminuche Wilderness and to the south is the South San Juan Wilderness holding 160,000 acres. The boundaries of these two wilderness areas come to within 6 miles of each other at their closest proximity, but those are treacherous miles for wildlife and plant populations to negotiate.

Wolf Creek was also the area selected to release the reintroduced Canada lynx, an endangered species throughout its historic range.

The most controversial endangerment to consider is a 10,000- person resort complex proposed by developers on a piece of private land adjacent to Wolf Creek Ski Area.

From its origination as a questionable land exchange in 1986 to its current incarnation of transfering yet again more public land, this proposal has galvanized opposing factions. For more in-depth information on this aspect go to Wolf Creek Developments.

The Art for the Endangered Landscape project strives to shed a different light on development issues from the aspect of loss of visual beauty. This art celebration also honors what we have now and what we have to lose in a tangible and visceral manner. I am happy to support this conservation effort!

Painting Acquired by Trinidad State Junior College

Early Snow Mt Blanca_RRoberts

“Early Snow on Mt. Blanca” 14 ” x 16″ – Oil on Linen

Colorado Creative Industries has acquired public art through direct purchase of existing artwork for Trinidad State Junior College’s (TSJC) Valley Campus, located in Alamosa, Colorado, in conjunction with the project to update their main campus building. Colorado Art in Public Places Program requires one-percent of capital construction funds for new or renovated state buildings be set aside for the acquisition of works of art at the project site.

About the Painting

“Early Snow on Mt. Blanca” is one of the pieces acquired by this program. This painting depicts a familiar sign of winter in the San Luis Valley and is one that is close to my heart as an all-time favorite piece. The sun sets in the west while Mt. Blanca is briefly coated in pink to red hues. It is the prominent view walking or driving toward my home. I am happy that this painting will remain in the San Luis Valley.

Mount Blanca (Sisnaajini) Navajo Sacred Mountain

The mountain is considered to be the eastern boundary of the Dinetah, the traditional Navajo homeland. Blanca Peak should be thought of as the ‘north arrow’ on a map, which determines the orientation of a person’s mind and physical presence on earth. (http://navajopeople.org/blog/mount-blanca-sisnaajini-navajo-sacred-mountain/)

About Trinidad State Junior College – Valley Campus:
The Valley Campus of Trinidad State is located in downtown Alamosa. This branch of the school is a commuter campus of approximately 600 students, that features friendly staff and small class sizes. Hands-on programs include Nursing, Massage, Auto and Diesel Mechanics and Welding.  This campus also has an excellent Aquaculture program where students can learn how to run a fish hatchery. The Law Enforcement Academy and Auto Mechanics programs operate training sites at off campus locations. Students can also take a variety of courses offered in traditional classrooms including Business, Chemistry and Math. The Valley campus is unique in that the average age of students is late 20s. This non-traditional student population consists of students who are “starting over” and re-defining their career. At 7,600 feet in elevation, Alamosa sits in the middle of the San Luis Valley, the highest and largest mountain desert in the world. To the west are the majestic San Juan Mountains and to the east rises the rugged Sangre de Cristo Range. Great Sand Dunes National Park is located 35 miles to the north east and features the tallest dunes in North America. (From the announcement on callforentry.org)

My thanks to Trinidad State Junior College and the Colorado Creative Industries!

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Art for the Endangered Landscape Honoring Wolf Creek

AEL_RRoberts

“The Fire Below” and “Sunset Clouds” 14″ x 14″ Oil on Canvas, $1,960 each. Click on image for a larger view.

Art for the Endangered Landscape Show and Sale

Paintings, Sculpture, Photography, Jewelry by 40 Regional Artists. Proceeds go to help us keep Wolf Creek Wild.
Opening reception: 

at 4:00pm – 7:00pm

For more information go to www.slvec.org
You may visit the show Monday through Friday from 9am to 5 pm from December 7 to December 19, 2015
Community Partnerships Gallery at Adams State University, Alamosa, Colorado.

Wolf Creek Pass and its heavily used highway corridor hold a critical place in the ongoing struggle to balance natural systems with human disruption. The pass bisects some of the wildest remaining primitive country in the southern Rocky Mountains. To the north of the pass is half-million acre Weminuche Wildernss and to the south is the South San Juan Wilderness holding 160,000 acres. The boundaries of these two wilderness areas come to within 6 miles of each other at their closest proximity, but those are treacherous miles for wildlife and plant populations to negotiate.

Wolf Creek was also the area selected to release the reintroduced Canada lynx, an endangered species throughout its historic range.

The most controversial endangerment to consider is a 10,000- person resort complex proposed by developers on a piece of private land adjacent to Wolf Creek Ski Area.

From its origination as a questionable land exchange in 1986 to its current incarnation of transfering yet again more public land, this proposal has galvanized opposing factions. For more in-depth information on this aspect go to Wolf Creek Developments.

The Art for the Endangered Landscape project strives to shed a different light on development issues from the aspect of loss of visual beauty. This art celebration also honors what we have now and what we have to lose in a tangible and visceral manner.

Cover Art for Colorado Central Magazine

CCOctCover2015FINALColorado Central Magazine
cozine.com

About the painting:  This oil painting depicts fall cottonwoods on the historic Garcia Ranch. Reyes Garcia is now the steward of this ranch and allowed me to take a walk and paint this beautiful piece of property. As a retired professor of philosophy, environmental and indigenous studies, Reyes is deeply attuned to the legacy of his family’s land and the way of life it has provided for generations. With the Garcia family having originally settled in Conejos County in the 1850’s, he has a long history rooted in the special area between the Conejos and San Antonio Rivers in the southern part of the San Luis Valley.

Conserving the land and water is a way “to make my own small contribution to preserving the family legacy of ranching and the land-based culture of the ranchero tradition,” Garcia writes. “… I came to understand this tradition includes putting into practice ecological values by virtue of an instinctual love of the land that engenders good stewardship and a deep respect for all life forms, the seasonal rotation of livestock and their humane treatment, the acequia irrigation system especially, the transmission of skills which make self-reliance possible…”

in 2013, the Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust worked with Reyes to complete a voluntary conservation easement on the spectacular Garcia Ranch, to insure that this working ranch will remain intact with its senior water rights in perpetuity. Learn more about RiGHT’s ongoing conservation work and the ranch at www.riograndelandtrust.org

Exhibiting at Prestigious Salmagundi Club in NYC

SpringThawRRoberts

Spring Thaw, 12″ x 12″, Oil on Canvas

EVENT:  Virtuosos of the OPA Exhibition

WHERE:  Salmagundi Club
47 5th Avenue,
New York, NY

DATES:  September 17 through October 1, 2015

One of the leading art organizations in North America, the 3,500 member strong Oil Painters of America will hold its first-ever “Virtuosos of the OPA” Exhibition in the upper gallery of the prestigious Salmagundi Club in New York City, September 17 through October 1, 2015. Founded in 1871, the Salmagundi Club is one of the oldest art organizations in the United States.

A painting by Rita Roberts will hang alongside a number of familiar names in this select, nationally and internationally acclaimed group of artists.  Participating artists have all achieved Signature or Master Signature status obtained only by going through a rigorous application and vetting process.

Well known around the San Luis Valley of Southern Colorado, Rita’s paintings are beloved for capturing the essence of this region. The painting included is an early spring scene of ice patches on the Empire Canal, a favorite spot of the artist on her daily walks near Home Lake.

Visit http://blog.oilpaintersofamerica.com/salmagundi/ to learn more about the organization and see the entire exhibit.

Adams State University Acquires Rita Roberts Painting

Rita with Painting

“Stormy Skies Over Cut Wheat, San Luis Valley”

Adams State University in Alamosa, Colorado celebrated the grand re-opening of historic Richardson Hall, which was recently renovated through state capital construction funds.

This piece was acquired for the university’s permanent collection and displayed the main floor of Richardson Hall through the Colorado Art in Public Places Program. The program requires one-percent of capital construction funds for new or renovated state buildings be set aside for the acquisition of works of art at the project site.

About the painting…

A subtle grid pattern appears and disappears through layers of clouds above a harvested field in this landscape. It is indicative of the San Luis Valley’s agricultural heritage. The grid is integrated with the clouds as a statement of how closely related farms and crops are to the weather in this high elevation valley. The square format of the piece, plus the squares of the grid represent the patchwork of farmlands which cover the San Luis Valley like a quilt pattern, as seen from the sky.

Monte at Denver Art and Frame in Colorado Springs built and designed this custom frame specifically for this piece. He always does a wonderful job for me. Thank you, Monte!

Richardson Hall is the perfect place for this painting. I am honored to have my work in this beautiful, historic building. At 48″ x 48″ it is the largest piece I’ve ever painted so the fact that it’s in a public collection is a wonderful recognition. I hope all present and future students, faculty and staff as well as campus visitors find a place of contemplation and calm with this painting.

Career Advancement Award from the Colorado Creative Industries

The Colorado Creative Industries Division of the Office of Economic Development and International Trade (CCI), has awarded me with a Career Advancement grant. The grant is to be used toward publishing my Children’s Picture Book, Augustina.

Here she is!

2Angel_RRoberts1Augustina, is a humorous story about a lovable, barnyard oddball who dances her way into the carnival spotlight, and discovers her true identity — she is a heifer-potamus!

Educators, day care providers and social workers enthusiastically support this story:

“I see all kinds of application potential, everything from children who are adopted to helping children gain ego strength.” — Carol C., Clinical Social Worker

Please contact me for more information about Augustina.

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Teaching with Artists Network University

 
I am happy to announce a new, online course I’ve developed for Artists Network University!
 
See all the details at this link:  Understanding Clouds with Rita Roberts
Please share this with anyone who might be interested in taking a class with me. This class is for beginning artists with at least some knowledge of oil paints or experienced artists who want to add more drama, depth and feeling to their landscapes. Illustrators would also benefit from this class, as clouds can create mood, environment and believability for a characters’ story.
 
I hope to see you and / or your friends in this virtual classroom!

UNDERSTANDING CLOUDS (10/28/14 – 11/21/14)

Course Id: 3108-1
Course Start Date: 10-28-2014- Course End Date: 11-21-2014
Instructor: Rita Roberts
Tuition: $169.99
Description
Learn the secrets behind Rita Roberts’ evocative cloud-scapes by understanding the

clouds as form and structure. The content of this course can translate to any media.

 

50th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act

On Saturday, September 27th a group of artists enjoyed one of the last gorgeous autumn days in the Southern San Juan Mountains. Frame Shop Creede has all the paintings for sale, with proceeds going to the San Luis Valley Ecosystem Council.

Painting Bristol Head

Painting Bristol Head

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14-3 Bristol Head 1_Roberts

Bristol Head 1, 4″ x 4″ Oil

14-4 Bristol Head 2_RRoberts

Bristol Head 2, 4″ x 4″ Oil

Paint-Out to Celebrate the Wilderness Act

50th Wilderness Paint Out FLyer copy

 

The Wilderness Act is well known for its succinct and poetic definition of wilderness:

“A wilderness, in contrast with those areas where man and his own works dominate the landscape, is hereby recognized as an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain.”

14-2 Mountain Buddies_RRoberts

“Mountain Buddies” 10″ x 10″, Oil on Canvas. Available after the Paint Out at Frame Shop Creede.

The Wilderness Act of 1964 (Pub.L. 88–577) was written by Howard Zahniser of The Wilderness Society. It created the legal definition of wilderness in the United States, and protected 9.1 million acres (36,000 km²) of federal land. The result of a long effort to protect federal wilderness and to create a formal mechanism for designating wilderness, the Wilderness Act was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on September 3, 1964 after over sixty drafts and eight years of work. — from Wikipedia

The two equine friends are regulars to the Park Corrals. Friendly, always ready for a pet or a treat. Carrots are on my list of supplies to take some carrots to the paint out.

See you there!