Rita Asfour
Impressionist
Illustrations
Between 1960 and 1965 Rita worked as an illustrator for the largest weekly magazine in Beirut, Lebanon. Her colorful gouache paintings graced the front covers every week. She also painted the front covers of books using oils and China ink.
Figures
Starting in 1967 and through 2012 Rita was very prolific in painting her impressions of how she saw the world. In 1971 she had her own art gallery in Beverly Hills. She became a mother in 1973 and displayed that emotion in many of her mother and child paintings. Her many other subjects included figures, landscapes, and more.
Sculptures
In the eighties the modern art world was enthralled with paper casts. So Rita cast a few in paper and plaster. She enjoyed these two mediums because she formed the molds with her own hands in her atelier without any assistants. Rita abandoned casting in bronze because too many people were involved.
Abstract
Abstract art was never on Rita’s horizon. Her classical training and impressionistic leanings were solid. But time changes everything. So whenever she was paused between her comfortable paintings she would venture into the abstract world. Whenever in that mood, she also made many wearable jewelry earrings and pendants.
Las Vegas Showgirls
Rita’s last impressions are where she put it all together. She retired in Las Vegas in 2012 hoping to get a respite from her seven decade career. But her two visits to Bally’s Jubilee Showgirl Extravaganza quickly sent her back to her easel. There for the next five years she created her ETHEREAL showgirls suite.
