Artist’s Statement / Biography / Resume

artist’s statement          

Mary A. Ritter

To me it’s simple—

I never think of myself as an artist, a maker, or a marketer.  First, sparked by a scene,  a travel experience, or perhaps a photograph, a story is ready to be told.  I research techniques that will convey the visual message, and I do the work.  I hope the work will draw the viewer to it, telling a story or evoking an emotion.

The world of my childhood and youth –

provides an unlimited supply of nostalgic images.  Growing up with a large family in rural Minnesota, playing on our farm and in the woods surrounding it with only siblings as my playmates, having a pony to ride and share, attending a one room country schoolhouse and a white country church with a tall steeple ~ these mental images challenge me to record them, and I’ve chosen textiles and threads as my medium.

In our current world, sometimes filled with anxiety and crises –

I enjoy retreating to The Loft Studio to quietly put needle and thread to fabric to create art.  My textile art will tell you a story, help you remember adventures from your youth, or perhaps recreate a scene stored in your memory banks.  It might take you on a trip around our country or throughout the world.

Working with fabric and thread – 

was something that entered my life at an early age.  My mother taught her daughters to embroider and to sew as a utilitarian skill she felt we would need in order to provide for our own families.  For dozens of years I followed that mode, making clothing and useful objects for my home.  In retirement,   I can turn to telling my life stories using the same skills.  Utilitarian or art:  Fabric, color, texture, expression …. these elements have always been a part of my life.

   biography

Mary Ritter has been involved with artistic expression for less than ten years. She started her interest in fabrics and sewing as a young girl, learning from her mother who made much of the clothing her four daughters and sons wore.  While stationed with her husband in Hawaii in the 1970s, Mary practiced Hawaiian quilting and made a queen-size quilt designed from the White Ginger flower.  Her interest in working with fabrics and thread was renewed, but she would not pick up and needle and thread again until shortly before she retired in the early 2000s.  The Loft Studio, located in her home in Cary, is where she experiments with embellishments, fibers and design, creating quilted stories from her memoirs, travels and her husband’s photography.

Mary was born in rural Minnesota and grew up on a farm.  After completing her undergraduate degree at the University of Minnesota, she and her husband moved around the western United States with US Air Force and US Government assignments.  In addition to Minnesota where they both were born, they have lived in Wisconsin, Texas, Illinois, Kansas, Hawaii, California and Utah before retiring to North Carolina.  She completed her Masters of Arts Degree in Education with emphasis on Reading and Literature at California State University, Sacramento.  During these studies, her interest in story telling was piqued.  Later in her career, she participated in NASA Classroom of the Future (technology emphasis) Fellowship and a Library of Congress American Memories Fellowship (using technology to teach emphasis).  The lesson she developed continues to be published on the Library of Congress web site as well as being used as an example on the New York State curriculum resources page – NY Learns. She has taught in elementary and middle school classrooms, as well as in adult education for teacher training.  The final years of her career she managed the technology at three schools and advanced the transition to technology for teachers.

    resumé

Organizations

• Triangle Art Quilters – Raleigh, NC https://triangleartquilters.shutterfly.com
• Professional Art Quilters Alliance – South (PAQA)  http://paqa-south.org
• Studio Art Quilters Association (SAQA) https://www.saqa.com
• Fiber Journeys – Three friends collaborating and learning
• Carolina Preserve Piecemakers: Neighbors exploring & creating together.

Awards

Durham Orange Quilt Show 2014, Durham, NC –

• First Place- Farm Home: Where My Story Began, Original Design- pictorial
• Third Place- Fall Frenzy: Look Out Below! Original Design- Nature
• Honorable Mention- Look, Mom! -Original Design-Wall Modern Innovative

North Carolina Quilt Symposium 2013, Fayetteville, NC  –

• First Place, Group Quilts – Mountain to Sea Quilt Series (14 panels / 14 artists);   “Moses Cone:  Flat Top Manor”

Durham Orange Quilt Show 2012, Durham, NC

• “Best of Show” 2012 – Mountain to Sea Quilt Series (14 panels/14 artists) Moses Cone: Flat Top Manor
• “First Place, Original” – Tropical Ocean Sunset
• “Honorable Mention” – Sweet Tropical Sunshine
• “Third Place” – Quilted City Scape Black Jacket

Douglas County Fair 2008, Alexandria, MN

• “Grand Champion” – Sweet Tropical Sunshine

Exhibits:

• Emerald Art Center, Springfield, Oregon: March 2019: FISSURES; El Tajo Gorge, Spain. 24″w x 34″h

El Tajo Gorge, Ronda, Spain 24″x34″

• Page-Walker Art and History Center, Cary, NC: August 2018: FABRICATED STRUCTURES – 16 of my pieces were exhibited in this 3 Artist Show.
  

  The Port of Honfleur, Honfleur, France: (21.5”w x 14”h) 2018The Port of Honfleur is the harbor of the Norman town of Honfleur, France. Expeditions to Quebec from this harbor led to its development. Le Vieux Bassion (the old basin) has enchanted residents and visitors for centuries. Artists still strive to render paintings of the buildings and their reflections in the water. $300

  

  TEA TIME on Callé de Cadiz: Valencia, Spain 2017 Mary A Ritter (25”w x 33”h) A Valencian scrambles back to her third floor condo ready to relax after a long day. After an hour or so, she will return to work until late evening. The tea is poured and she relaxes on the balcony overlooking Callé de Cadiz, watching the families beginning to gather for their siesta in the sidewalk cafés below. The traffic is quieted during this time of day, and the warmth of the sun and the tea are a respite from her busy world. $450

  

  Fischmarkt Street: (19 x 24) 2018 In Cologne, Germany, Fishmarkt Street remains much as it did centuries ago. Looming over it is the Cologne Cathedral showing great contrast in its architecture. $300

  

  CAROLINA SPRINGTIME: (57”w x 40”h) 2018 Dogwoods! Wisteria! Cherry Blossoms? Who wouldn’t be passionate about North Carolina’s springtime which showcases beautiful blossoming trees. Driving through the woods that align the roadways, one can see deeply into dark thickets where bright blossoms seem to provide their own sunshine. Listen! You can hear the birds enjoying their shelters therein. The shimmering blossoms serenaded by birdsong inspired this art quilt. $750

  

  The CHÉNE CHAPPELLE, France: (39”w x 56”h) 2018 The Oak Chapel still holds its ground as the priests and worshipers attend to its needs. $650

  

  QUALITY TIME: (35”w x 38”h) 2017 A son can never get enough time with his dad. After a busy time in the big city, the two companions sit beside the lake in NYC Central Park, watch the model sailboats, and just enjoy some time together. The noise of the traffic, beeping horns, calling voices, and the shadows from the tall buildings are kept at a distance. This is quality time – father and son. $450

  

  Freedoms Four: (36w x 38h) 2017 I am passionate about the constitution of our nation and its Bill of Rights. Freedoms Four reflects my concern that the freedoms we have enjoyed since the United States was formed are being eroded and destroyed. We, the citizenry, must VOTE, communicate with the elected officials, and be involved in order to preserve the rights embraced by our founders. It is not the intention for this piece to be pretty; the colors are meant to draw the eye so the content will be studied and absorbed. $900

  

  En Vacance: (24”x24”) 2017 This tourist relaxes and watches the world go by. Created in the style of Van Gogh. NFS

  

  Le Fleures pour Grand-Mere: (24”x24”) 2017 The life, energy and color in a photograph of my 99 year-old mother when she received her bouquet of roses on Mother’s Day was an inspiration that Van Gogh would have loved. Traveling the world and creating artwork that tells the story of places I’ve visited and people I’ve known, are two of my passions. After visiting Auberge Ravoux in Auvers-sur-Oise near Paris where Van Gogh lived his last days, I was inspired to study and appreciate his artwork and techniques. This piece is the result of that interest. Created in the style of Van Gogh. NFS

  

  CELEBRATION IN THE CITY: (65”w x 67”h) 2016 Fireworks explode overhead as the city dwellers enjoy the show. $800

  

  Village 1: (15″w x 19″h) 2015 The sunshine filters through the buildings of the village as the sun sets. $150

  

  GREAT LAKE! WINDY CITY! SO BIG (20”w x 27”h) This piece is inspired by a photograph taken by my niece, Lisa Arneson. The juxtaposition of Lake Michigan, Chicago and little Emmett created the metaphorical connection. The sky was pieced in small colors to represent the fog rolling into the city with the sun just breaking through. The lake is shimmering in the back areas, but full of color and personality when nearby. NFS

  

  Fall Frenzy: 2014 The children are enjoying a frolicking time in the leaves, but big sister is about to spring a surprise. This is a whimsical experience that many of us have experienced or observed in our own place in time. The entire piece was painted on a recycled piece of cotton broadcloth. Machine embroidery and quilting add detail to the faces and background objects. Inspired by a photograph taken by Jody Cahill, mother of two children, Morgan and Emmett. NFS

  

  Look, Mom! (28”w x 21”h) 2014 A young mother’s quick shot of her son calling her, like he does several dozen times a day, results in a truly whimsical view of his round little face framed by the culvert that runs under their driveway. Painting the circular rings on batik fabric with fabric dyes created the circular shape of the culvert, along with quilting to emphasize the tunnel effect. The face is pieced and then embroidered, and a touch of fabric paint is added for the finish. This piece is inspired by a photograph taken by Kristi Enevoldsen, mother of the little boy, Dalton.

  

  SIESTA on Callé de Cadiz: (2018) In Valencia, Spain, the view from the balcony overlooking Callé de Cadiz during siesta All is quiet, as it should be. 25wx33h” $450

  

  Autumn Splendor (Perryman) Poinsettia Power! (Ritter)

• Cape Fear Gallery, Fayetteville, NC, October 2018: Moments in Time:  Celebration in the City and Moses Cone Manor (see below)

• Woman Made Gallery, Chicago Illinois, October 2018: Quilt + Resist:  36″ wide x 38″ high:  QUALITY TIME  (sold)

• PAQA-South: ArtQuiltpassions: May – July  2018; 36″ wide x 38″ high:  FREEDOMS4!

• PAQA-South: ArtQuiltsreminisce: May – July 2017; 32″ wide x 35″ high:  CALLE DE CADIZ – TEATIME

• SAQA Benefit Auction (donation): online bidding ~ September 16-November 6, 2016; 12″x12″; PRAIRIE BREEZES

• PAQA-South: ArtQuiltvoices: May 20 – July 2, 2016; 32.5″ wide x 29.5″ high:  VOICES INTERMINGLED

VOICES INTERMINGLED – The Mosque/Cathedral, Cordova, Spain by Mary Ritter 29.5″HX32.5″W Standing in the nave of the Mezquita-Catedral de Cordoba and listening to the all-encompassing pipe organ brought me back in time. Built first as a mosque, the chanting of Moslem voices dominated for 700 years. When the region was conquered by the Pope, the mosque was not razed as was customary, but a Roman Catholic nave was built in the center of the mosque. Thus, the intermingling Muslim and Christian VOICES mixed in spirit, inspiring me to create Las Mezquita and the city Cordoba, past and present, that surrounds it.

• 2nd ARTS and FLOWER Juried Competition, The Arts Council – Fayetteville, NC;     May 2016; 27″ wide x 46″ high;    HYDRANDEA

• PAQA-South: ArtQuiltsreminisce: April 22 – June 21, 2015  Page Walker Arts & History Center, Cary, North Carolina; juried; Solitude: Snow in Winter and Church on Sunday; 32″w x 35″h

• SAQA Benefit Auction (donation): online bidding ~ September 16-November 6, 2015; 12″x12″; a la GAUDI (sold)

• PAQA-South: ArtQuiltconnections: Oct 22 – Nov 16, 2014 Page Walker Arts & History Center, Cary, North Carolina; juried:  Great Lake! Windy City! So Big!       27″w x 29″ h

With the fog rolling out from Chicago over Lake Michigan, this toddler enjoys the feeling of being So Big!

SAQA Benefit Auction (donation): online bidding ~ September 16-November 6, 2014; 12″x12″; SIZZLING SUMMER (Sold)

• SAQA Trunk Show (traveling): 2014-2017; 7″x 10″; ALOHA!

• PAQA-South: ArtQuiltwhimsy: Apr 23 – June 22, 2014 Page Walker Arts & History Center, Cary, North Carolina; juried:  Look Mom! 25″w  20″h

A young mother’s quick shot of her son calling her, like he does several dozen times a day, results in a truly whimsical view of his round little face framed by the culvert that runs under their driveway. Painting the circular rings on batik fabric with fabric dyes created the culvert which was enhanced with machine embroidery. The face is pieced and then embroidered, and a touch of fabric paint is added for the finish.

• Smokey Mountain Quilt Show  2014 – Fall Frenzy:  Look Out Below! 23″w x 26″h

• Smokey Mountain Quilt Show  2014 – Farm Home: Where My Story Began;           46″w x 40″

• The Quilt Fest of New Jersey X-March 2014 – Mountain to Sea Quilt Series  – (14 panels / 14 artists)  – Moses Cone: Flat Top Manor; 17″w x 26″h

• Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival 2014 – Mountain to Sea Quilt Series  – (14 panels / 14 artists)  – Moses Cone: Flat Top Manor; 17″W x 26″H (see above)
• Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival 2014  – Poinsettia Power! 90″W x 48″H

Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival 2014  – Farm Home: Where My Story Began (See above)

PAQA-South: ArtQuiltfreezeframe-September 2013; juried; Moses Cone: Flat Top Manor (see above)