Rita Eddy - A trip to Kenya this past year and being near to all the animals has been my inspiration for my paintings this year. My interest in photography provided me with excellent photographs to work with. Each year, being a student of Sue Hand in Dallas, PA, I choose a theme and media to work with creating six paintings. These paintings will be the basis of my work for the Tour this year. I will also have a variety of paintings in different medias as well as note cards created from my paintings.

Combining photography with my art work has broadened my perspective of art. I have learned new techniques, use more color, and have added pastels and acrylics along with my use of watercolor. My interest in art started in high school and now that I am retired I can spend more time on this labor of love.

In Susquehanna County I am a member of Hill Country Artists along with memberships in Endless Mountains Council of the Arts, and the En Plein Air Society. My work can also be seen in Montrose at the Corner Café, Penn Star Bank, the County Office Building and Endless Mountains Health Center, as well as Pure Pennsylvania in Great Bend and the Susquehanna Health Center in Susquehanna. My work has become part of private collections locally as well as throughout the United States.

This year I will be displaying my art at the Holy Name of Mary Parish House in Montrose with another artist. This historic building is the perfect setting for an art show. The Harvest Moon Festival sponsored by the church will also be at the same location with lots of food and many activities. On Monday I will be displaying the use of pastels to create a painting. I can be reached at 570-553-2500 or at jirieddy@epix.net.