Today we’d like to introduce you to Rhea Pettit.
Rhea, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
My parents loved art and encouraged my passion for it early on, for which I’m grateful. At girl scout camp, I announced that I was going to be an artist when I grew up, and really needed to draw instead of swim that day; they agreed to my request – pretty powerful stuff for a 7-year-old. I started using oils at about age 12; I had no clue how to use them, but I loved their buttery goodness.
I grew up in East Texas and had limited access to fine art education until moving to Austin and going to UT. I have always been interested in portraiture and figurative work, and not so much the giant abstracts that were (and remain) popular, and couldn’t see how I was going to make a living with fine art. I dropped out and got a “real job”– after a few years, I was craving creativity, so I went back to school and got a degree in graphic design. I was a designer/art director for 25 years, sometimes illustrating, and dabbling in fine art occasionally.
Five or six years ago, feeling the pull to paint “for real” instead of dabbling, I threw myself into a flurry of workshops, built a small studio in my backyard, and painted every free minute I had. In 2016 I transitioned to painting full time as a professional painter. They say find work that you love, and you’ll never have to work another day in your life. So true!
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I paint what I love: humans and other animals. From my marketing/advertising experience, I always want to communicate a concept, whether it’s thought-provoking, or just for fun. Most recently, I’m exploring the connection between our species and others. I find it horrifying that we are taught at an early age to believe that animals are products, not sentient beings. If we focus on our similarities, instead of our differences, perhaps we can learn compassion. That is my intent with my “spirit animal” mashups. I’m also exploring the relationship between the earth and its inhabitants. If we appreciate the beauty and life-sustaining resources of Mother Earth, perhaps we can save our planet, and save ourselves.
Serious issues keep me up at night, so just for fun, I’ve begun a new series of animals “photobombing” iconic works of art. These are meant to bring a smile while honoring art… and animals. Everyone deserves to be a muse! I learned to use a limited palette from Jennifer Balkan, and use it almost exclusively. It’s pretty amazing what you can do with a few basic colors!
Artists rarely, if ever pursue art for the money. Nonetheless, we all have bills and responsibilities, and many aspiring artists are discouraged from pursuing art due to financial reasons. Any advice or thoughts you’d like to share with prospective artists?
Whoa, that’s a tough one. We are experiencing a new renaissance in art; I’m seeing more amazing art being produced than ever before. However, there are way more artists than collectors. I’m lucky to have a few loyal collectors, and I accept commissions as well, but I took a drastic reduction in income when I let my day job go. My husband pays the lion share of our bills; if I were single, I would definitely have a part-time job to help support myself.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
I’m currently in a 3-person a show called “Heroines + Warriors + Goddesses” at Link & Pin Art Space in Austin. It celebrates the courage in the feminine. I have 12 pieces in this show, including Ann Richards, Ruby Bridges, Frida Kahlo, Jane Goodall, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The show runs through September 30.
I have three works in the upcoming Art Hop, a juried show in Georgetown that runs September 29 – October 27. Closing this week is a 6-artist show at the Pflugerville Library. (I now live in Pflugerville). I will be at Soma Vida Gallery this year for East Austin Studio Tour – the biggest show in Austin happens over two weekends in November. To see what’s hot off the easel, follow me on Facebook (RG Pettit Art) and Instagram (@rheapettit), or check out my website.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.rgpettit.com
- Instagram: @rheapettit.com
- Facebook: RG Pettit Art
Image Credit:
Phil Pettit
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