Artist Suzanne Frie Rittenhouse finds that what she loves most about art is the challenge. She talks to RAW about her work. Be sure to RSVP to view them at the next  RAW San Diego on Thursday, August 26th at the Se Hotel! 

Tell us about yourself and how you first got started making art.
I am a mother of two wonderful and unique girls.  I am married to a military service member that constantly has me on my toes by moving around the country.  I grew up in Northern Virginia, right outside Washington D.C. where I would constantly visit the Smithsonian art museums.  I have two degrees and just recently completed a certification that helps me in the volunteer field of financial budget counseling.  I have been creating art since I was a small child.  My mother recognized my talent at age five when I drew a picture of a girl walking her dog with the sun shining above and at that point in time she started to collect pieces for a scrapbook.  I have to admit that she is one of my best collectors of my work, but what proud mother isn't right?  I was encouraged in school to continue art and attended gifted and talented programs through high school.  I took art classes in junior college and the university but didn't think of being an artist as a serious career until I married my husband and realized that it was one of the abilities that was portable no matter where he would be stationed. 

How would you describe your aesthetic?  
Confidence in my ability and skill has taken a while to grow and blossom and part of that entails overcoming the challenges of themes and styles that I once loathed and learning how to incorporate it into my art.  It has taken me a while to follow a specific aesthetic, but I have recently adopted the perspective of my mentor from Seattle that encouraged me to view art as Powerful, Beautiful, Balanced and Harmonious. 

From where do you draw inspiration for your work?  
There are so many things that strike a chord of creativity, but I have to admit that seeing and relating to other artists often helps with inspiration. Discussions on other pieces and how to change or challenge the work always helps. Off-the-wall thinking also helps ... just silly ideas ... the ones like "What about this"  or "Could I add this?".  I also draw inspiration from the typical topics like nature, photographs, my children and increasingly more from modern design and architecture. 

What do you love most about what you do?  
Surprisingly enough, I think that the most fun about the art that I do is the challenge.  Can I do it?  Sometimes I will come up with an idea and then I will question myself whether to stay with the comfortable or take the challenge.  More often than not, the challenge wins and ends in success.  I suppose the simple answer would be that it is the process more than the end product that is the most fun and exciting part of rendering art. If people love it, great! 

From start to finish, explain your process; what does a typical art-making day look like for you?  
Intermittent work coupled with children and daily life interruptions!  The best part of how I make art is that is has steps and takes time to dry, so this provides opportunities for me do computer digital work for composition, color, layout and design coupled with cutting, mounting, painting, sealants and sometimes wax works.  But often, the majority of the work is either layering lots of paper for paper painting, or with digital compositions.

Medium of choice? 
Mixed Media

Are there any artists or art movements, past or present, that strongly inform and influence your work?
Yes, my mentor's work, Gerald Arlen Wright and Mondrian

Any previous exhibitions/collaborations that you are particularly proud of? 
Silverdale and Bremerton, Washington Artwalks as featured artist of the month and single shows.

Any accomplishments/goals you hope to achieve as an artist in the future?
Primary goal would is to be a self-sustainable artist. (Dominating the world art market wouldn't hurt either!  Ha ha!)

Why showcase at RAW?
Because RAW supports the new and emerging artist and provides opportunities to artists who might otherwise not have the chance to promote and display their works.

Favorite thing to do outside of your craft?
Biking, exercising and volunteering!

Any current rising stars within the art arena that you would recommend we look out for?  
Right now...I would recommend my mentor Gerald Arlen Wright  (www.geraldwrightartist.com) and Ruben Ubiera from Weston, FL.