2025, MAY – RITA MARIE ROSS

 

What material(s) do you use in your sculptures?
“I mainly use recycled copper wire, sheet and tubing  that I gather at the scrapyard and will include aluminum, silver or brass in smaller amounts depending on what I am going for.“

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is your primary forming method?
“The sculptures are fabricated with hands,heart, hand tools and lots of intense heat from my oxy-acetylene torch. I also use different shape anvils and my own body strength to nudge subtle curves in the large pieces where I am using copper tubes.“

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is your favorite surface treatment?
“I love the organic textures that are achieved by reticulating the metal.  (Bringing the surface up to its melting point and pulling away!) Most of my sculptures, be it sheet, wire or tubing receive this treatment.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What are your favorite Tools?
“Oxy-acetylene torch!!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Describe your studio environment.
“My studio is a warehouse in a warehouse complex in South Austin. There are designated areas for creating sculpture and jewelry, and there is a small personal gallery that holds finished pieces. I have another bronze artist sharing the space with me and that works out very well.“

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How/Where do you market and sell your artwork?
“I exhibit in several juried shows in Texas in the spring and fall, as well as the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar’s fine art and craft show in Austin for 10 days during the holidays that gives me a lot of exposure to homeowners. Our complex has at least two “open studios” during the year and collectors are welcome to drop by for private showings.   “

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What sparks your creativity? What drives you to create?
“I relate to many things outside of me in the natural world to what I am feeling inside so a vine, a root system, patterns on the shoreline or a cloud can spark an idea! The focussed attention of working with fire keeps me sane while working through whatever is on my mind.“

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Did you come to sculpture from a different career? Tell us about your journey to becoming a sculptor.
“I have to say I did not have much of a career when I graduated from high school in the 70’s. What I  did have, was a desire to work with my hands and create things. I made and sold jewelry in my early 20’s and found a local silversmith to work with in the small city I grew up in. I worked in a small factory and started selling jewelry to my fellow workers and the management! It was this experience that gave me the confidence to continue working in metal. Although I did not attend a college program or trade school, I found willing mentors throughout my life that have taken me in as an assistant or an apprentice. I am curious and  persistent when I want to understand a technique and  will research and experiment till I gain the skills I need to create my vision.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How have you have taken your experience as a well-established maker in the field and passed that knowledge along to other artists?
“I have taught jewelry fabrication classes on and off in my studio and taught at the Creative Side Jewelry Academy in Austin TX for eight years. As far as teaching sculpture, I have taught some of my own techniques of weaving copper wire based on wild weave basketry to make 3 dimensional work.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What’s the best advice you’ve been given by a fellow maker, mentor, or teacher?
“Do the damn thing!” I will put this advice in context. When I was being mentored, I would complain and over-analyze what was to be done. I have mellowed that advice out to “Just begin.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TSOS Member Profile: Rita Marie Ross

Website: www.ritamarieross.com

Instagram: @ritamarieross

Bio:

Rita grew up in Sandusky, OH, a small industrial town on the shores of Lake Erie. The geographic nature of her hometown was a resource of natural beauty, from the beaches to the tangled woods and farm fields. The high school she attended valued the arts and prized itself on a passionate faculty and state-of-the-art facilities.

It was here that Rita was introduced to jewelry, copper enameling and many other art forms. After she graduated, she continued her education under the guidance of a local silversmith and went on to make and sell her own fabricated jewelry.

She moved to Austin, TX in 1983. and developed a line of figurative sterling silver jewelry inspired her to explore large scale sculptures. She worked with Darly G Colburn as his understudy from​ ​1990 until 2003. Together they opened and managed galleries which promoted their works, as well as other local artists. With over 40 years of experience working in metal, she continues to make original sculptures and jewelry for corporate, as well as private collectors.

 

 

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