Rita Ortolino-Dioguardi

Bio for Website: Rita Ortolino-Dioguardi, a talented collage and quilt artist, has been creating collage art since a young girl. What started as childhood art projects has bloomed into unique and colorful pieces of art. These stunning images are spontaneous creations. Her paper collages are created by ripping, not cutting, simple splashes of color from magazines and glossy advertisements and her quilts are born from simple scraps of material. Each piece of art is given a witty name that helps bring the creation to life.  Rita has proudly served as a board member of ArtsMedford since 2023.

Materials and Techniques: When anyone at an event viewing one of my ripped paper collage art creations, I am often asked, “How long did it take you to paint that?” In a reassuring, calm voice I reply, “It’ not painted. Its created by my thumbs and the pointer fingers of both hand (and I demonstrate) ripping paper out of magazines or any paper source that will work for my completed creation.”

The joy of creativity comes as I rip colors I want to use from magazines and paper sources to transform my color choices into my original collage piece. By adding color, I help to create focus and precision to my creations and turn life into my original art.

I choose colors and lines to create my lively images. My technique is basic. I use my hands to rip the paper, hold a glue stick between my thumb and hand palm, apply the glue, and stick the paper source to the main sheet of paper. I use my pinky finger to make sure the source paper is firmly glued to the main sheet. When I decide the work of art is done, I take a rolling pin and like rolling out cookie dough, I flatten out my creation, name it and then apply a protected lacquered coating directly to the masterpiece. I let my creation thoroughly dry. My professional photographer takes the image which is then sent to the photo lab to apply my original art to metal, magnets, cards and other delights. I take great satisfaction in the feeling of making and sharing these creations.

My art is meditative, peaceful and enjoyable since all my ideas are born in my head first. I spend a great deal of time internally thinking and brain-storming to formulate what I will eventually rip and lay down on the main paper to create a lasting impressionable end result.

Website: http://ritadioguardi.com

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I am a board member

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I am a board member