Rita Blitt: Exploring the Journey and Passion Behind a Lifetime of Artistic Creation
**Rita Blitt: A Lifetime of Joyful Creation in Abstract Expressionism**
At 90 years old, Abstract Expressionist artist Rita Blitt remains a vibrant force in the art world. With a career spanning nine decades and mediums ranging from painting and drawing to film and sculpture, Blitt’s body of work reflects a profound connection to movement, nature, and the joy of artistic creation.
### The Artist’s Journey: From Kansas City to Global Impact
Born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, Blitt splits her time between her hometown and Berkeley, California, maintaining a dynamic studio practice that continually evolves. Over the years, her thousands of creations have found homes in prestigious public institutions such as the National Museum of Singapore, the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles, and the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art.
Her public sculptures grace locations far beyond her Midwestern roots, appearing as far afield as Singapore and Australia. This global presence reinforces her ability to transcend geographical boundaries through deeply universal themes of movement and emotion.
### Inspiration in Motion: Dance as a Foundation of Expression
Blitt’s art has always been inseparable from movement, particularly dance. From tracing figures on frosted windows as a child to creating sweeping, conductor-like gestures while painting, her process is imbued with a sense of rhythm and dynamism. “Creating is a process; it should be done for joy,” Blitt asserts—a philosophy that underpins her extensive oeuvre.
Collaboration has also played a central role in Blitt’s practice. Choreographer David Parsons and composer Michael Udow are among her frequent creative partners, further linking her work to the performative arts. These collaborations blend music, dance, and visual art into cohesive narratives, evident in her films and documentaries.
### A Dialogue with Abstract Expressionism
Blitt’s career aligns her with the Abstract Expressionism movement, a mid-20th-century genre dominated historically by male giants, such as Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning. However, recent exhibitions, including *Women of Abstract Expressionism* at the Mulvane Art Museum, are reshaping this narrative. The show situates Blitt alongside pioneering female Abstract Expressionists like Elaine de Kooning, Helen Frankenthaler, and Lee Krasner, highlighting her lifelong contributions to the movement.
Museum Director Connie Gibbons emphasizes the similarities between Blitt’s work and that of these luminaries, despite her physical and intellectual distance from the New York-centric art world. Blitt’s Midwestern roots fostered a unique independence in her practice, allowing her to explore Abstract Expressionism on her own terms.
### Joy, Courage, and the Art of Creation
Blitt’s work often reflects her relationships with family, the natural environment, and her emotional experiences. Her recent paintings showcase an ongoing fascination with trees, blending flowing shapes and vibrant colors to capture their beauty and vitality. “People say, ‘Oh, [art] has to look like this, or it has to look like that.’ But I want them to know it’s about the joy of creating and having the courage to listen to their inner being,” Blitt says.
Her ability to translate joy into art extends into the philosophy that art requires active engagement from audiences. “Someone once said that an artwork isn’t finished until it’s viewed by others,” she notes, speaking to the communal aspect of art and the stories it holds.
### Continuing to Inspire
With a legacy firmly established yet ever-expanding, Blitt continues to create from her personal wellspring of inspiration. Her latest works demonstrate the enduring energy and curiosity that have defined her as an artist for nearly a century. Whether crafting monumental sculptures or intimate paintings, Blitt’s art remains a testament to her belief in the transformative power of creativity.
As she inspires new audiences with her work and her story, Blitt serves as a reminder that the fervor for creating has no age limit. Her art, rooted in joy and movement, invites us all to reimagine our relationship with both the artistic process and the world around us.