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Rita Christie ~ Artist

I   I became an artist after I was shot and kidnapped by a boyfriend in January of 1992. On that day, I honestly believed that I was going to die. After six hours of having my life threatened, I was finally able to get my abductor to pray with me. Shortly after our prayer, he agreed to take us to a hospital so that we could both get help.
   While recovering from my injuries, I began to have the urge to paint. I decided to follow this new desire and was amazed at the art that was coming from me. Having no prior artistic talent, I could not explain this new gift, but have used it ever since as a witnessing tool and a way of giving glory to God, who is so responsible for sparing my life.
   My art has been a wonderful surprise in my life. Sharing it has offered hope to victims and perpetrators in ways that my words could not. It has also been instrumental in raising awareness and funding for programs that help victims of violence.

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New Work

Daisy & Jack

Here is another portrait of Daisy & Jack - my sister's two Golden Retrievers. I made this portrait into transfers and put it on T-shirts for Christmas.

Kitty Caudill

This is a portrait of the mother of some good friends of mine. Her name is Kitty Caudill and she came to this country from Japan when she married a soldier. She had five children, all of whom I know and am friends with. She recently passed away. I made this painting for her children in her memory, and gave them each a print of it. I call it "My Tribute" ........and it really is.

These Pictures are of the Sanford Family. The children are Baby Jude and Janey (Janey Bug). The Parents are Sarah and Vance. I made them a Collage Portrait - mostly to prove to myself that I could - but also so that Sarah could bless Vance with something really special that she has been wanting to do for him for a long time. Sarah is an amazing mom who takes care of her children better than anyone I have ever met. She even quit her job to take Baby Jude to his Therapy appointments when they found out he had some special needs. She is an inspiration to women, and we could all take a lesson to her brand of love. This gift was a gift from God - He told me to do this. And I have grown as an artist because of it,.

Portrait Paintings

Livy & Eric

My daughter and her boyfriend have been together for almost 2 years. He recently left for college, leaving her behind to finish the rest of her high school years. She wanted this painting done for him to take to college with him and hang on his wall so he wouldn't forget her. He loved it and it is hanging in his college dorm room.

Eric

Eric Carbenia is my daughter's boyfriend and an amazing guitarist. The first time we saw him play was at aconcert at the school a year before he met my daughter. This painting was his Christmas gift from me. He was surprised and pleased!!!

Father & Son

This portrait was for the little boy in the picture who is now actually 16 years old. This is one of the few pictures he had of them together, because the dad in the picture has passed away. This was commissioned by my friend's daughter - who now dates the little boy. It turned out earrily real...and I'm so glad!

Jack & Daisy

Jack & Daisy were painted for my sister. These are her babies!! They are a part of the family - and wonderful dogs! I love painting animals because they express so much with just one look. I really tried to capture their sweetness!!

Boston Terrier

Acrylic on Board 2004

Adorable Pooch!
This Dog belonged to really nice people I used to know. I painted this portrait for them for Christmas 2004. He is a really sweet Boston Terrier Named Togepie. And yes....he is as Ornery as he looks in the Painting!

Charles

Charles was painted for my friend's sister. She hired me to paint Charles after he'd passed away. She said he was such a special cat - a rescue who'd lived like 18 years. He was vibrant until the end. It was hard for me to paint Charles - seeing how beautiful he was and realize that he was gone. Charles' mom got the painting for Christmas 2009, and she was thrilled. So happy to have helped her remember her baby.

Lucy

This is Lucy, my Sister's first Golden Retriever. She got Myesthenia Gravis when she was 10. She had to be put to sleep in 2003 when it became inhumane for her to suffer with it any longer. She was a great companion Dog-Cousin to my children. She is still missed very much.

Sadie

Sadie was commissioned by a friend of mine who grew up with me but now lives in South Carolina. Sadie was their dog for 15 years, and a member of the family. She gave this portrait to her husband for Christmas 2010 - and she said the reaction was a gasp followed by tears - from her husband, her two kids, and herself. Love you, Sadie!! So glad I could do this for your family!!!

Pug Baby

Here's a cute little Pug that I absolutely HAD to paint! What a sweet face!
His mommy & Daddy were thrilled, and his image has been reproduced on Mugs and cards for lots of other Pug Lovers!

Burmese Kitty

Here is a picture of a burmese kitty that I painted for some really nice people who had this very cat. She was such a dainty cat with a very strange "Meow". This portrait was cherished by the lady pf the house who was very close to this kitty.

Bichon Frise

The personality of this adorable little Bichon named Cupcake was captured in this portrait which was commissioned by her mommy. She wanted paw prints and little bones around her because the frame that she put this picture in also had the bones and paw print theme.

Miko

This beautiful Himalayan Cat belonged to a friend of mine. He wanted his cat painted and of course - because she is so beautiful - her portrait turned out beautiful as well!! I have permission from him to re-use her image on mugs and posters because she is the perfect image of what a Himalayan should be!!

Willie on a Flower Pot !

One of my favorite professors loves William Shakespeare....so I took him some beautiful springtime pansies in this flower pot as a surprise!! Joe Wagner is one of my favorite people...and he loved this novel pot that he has kept - long after the pansies have died!

Mother

This is a portrait of my dacshund...if he were an artist. The work is entitled "Mother". It is a picture of my dog, "Fish" - painting a picture of his mother. I still have this hanging in my living room...because it brings me joy!!

Ford Ranger

This Ford Ranger was a gift to my ex-husband when we were dating.
We are no longer together, and the truck has long been sold but I did have the opportunity during our courtship to create this really cool painting.

Mustang Emblem

Mustang emblem for a mustang enthusiast. Yes - my ex-husband's brother is a collector of mustangs..so one year for Christmas, he got this painting. It was a strange request for a painting - but I go a little nuts at Christmas trying to paint what people really want!!

Morning Walk

This painting was done for Paul Williams, a close family friend for his 90th birthday. Paul has lived in my home town his whole life and walks every morning with his big white husky dog, Bear. I do not know what life in East Sparta would be without seeing Paul on his morning walk.
Happy Birthday Paul!!!

Jeffery George!

This is a quick sketch I did of my cousin while preparing to do a portrait of him for his girlfriend - now wife. It was a long time ago - and he doesn't look like this too much any more - but I love my cousin and had to include him in my collection of portraits!!

My Hand

I was asked to do a portrait of my hand holding a Dandelion with wafting seeds. The Dandelion with wafting seeds is the Logo of Rape Crisis of Summit & Medina Counties, and they asked me to do this for the cover of one of their publications.

Dying to do Letterman

This is the painting that I sent to the "Dying to do Letterman" people. They are going to auction it off on their website for Docu-Week...a promotional season that will hopefully propell this independnet film from a dream to an Oscar Winner! I have never met Steve Mazan or his family, I only know him through my friend, Gina, whose brother and sister-in-law made the film about Steve, his illness, and his dream. But I would do just about anything for all of them - because of the way Steve has embraced his situation with humor and humility. I am so proud to be a part of their team!

Special Places

John & Jamie's House

This house belongs to my former hair dressers John Coatter & Jamie Pownall. They are partners in every sense of the word. They have been boyfriend-girlfriend for 12 years, and also business partners for a long time. They began partnering with Faith Family Church and decided to become partners in marriage. This painting was their wedding present which was ordered by one of my best friends who is also one of their best friends. The framed version, below, has the verse : " But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24: 14 - 16

Moriconi's House

This house was done for a man who wanted to do something special for his wife for her birthday. He had seen so many of the other home portraits I had done on my Facebook page, and decided to have one done for his wife. The interesting this about this painting is that he had me paint the back yard. The house has a gorgeous and imposing from that is elegant. But the husband wanted to capture the area where they really "Lived"...the kid's pool, the patio. He wanted to places where their family memories have been made. I loved the concept - and the love was reflected in the painting!

Tucci's

This beautiful home belongs to Stacy & Doug Tucci. They had this home built from one they saw on their honeymoon. Stacy contacted me through Facebook and wanted to have me paint a picture of their home for Her husband for Father's Day.
It was a big hit with the whole family!!

Lily Garden Shed

This picture was painted for the Zoar harvest Festival to be entered in the Art Exhibit & Competition. It is a painting of a charming little shed in the middle of a garden of lillies & beautiful wild flowers. I will update this if it gets chosen by the panel of judges for exhibit and/or any awards. Entered July 15, 2011

Peaceful Meadow

The Queer Place I

The Queer Place II

Leesville Trio

Here are three paintings of some beautiful property that will forever belong in the hearts of some beautiful people in my life

These were gifts to the love of my life, his wonderful sister and their father. Although the family farm was sold last year by the majority vote of the surviving heirs, I pray that these portraits of the land they loved so much will remind them of this treasure and how, no matter what happens, love cannot be transferred with a deed.

For Reflection

This is not a real place, but one I painted from the memory of a dream. This is one of the first paintings I did, and was amazed at what I could do!!

Watson's

This is the home of Norm & Carol Watson. My Granny lived right beside them as long as I remember, and when Granny was very old, the Watsons helped her and looked out for her. I now have the privilege of delivering their paper every day. Our friendship has grown from memories of my granny to daily conversaton and sharing. Made for them for Christmas 2010.

Gortney's

T

This house is the home of two very good friends of our family's. The house is in East Sparta - a beautiful old Victorian. the people who live in it are as beautiful as the outside structure. A special Christmas present for some special people!

The Town Pump

This is The Town Pump - the center of my home town. This sketch has been used on post cards, greeting cards, and is present in several businesses in East Sparta, Ohio.

Audrey's House

This house belongs to Audrey Malavite.
She is an amazing artist who I have become friends with through my other job. I painted this for Audrey's 80th birthday. It is a beautiful little cottage in the middle of the woods..full of all of her art and an amazing studio! She was completely surprised and delighted!!

East Sparta Grade School

Waynesburg Elementary School

Waynesburg Gradeschool

Magnolia Grade School

Sandy Valley High School

Sandyville Grade School

This is a five-painting series of the former schools of the Sandy Valley School District. The Grade Schools and Former High school were torn down between 2008 - 2009. A new high school, middle school, and elementary were constructed and opened in January of 2009. These Paintings are painted in honor of the memories these buildings hold for so many of the people in this district.

Town Pump Painting

This is the same Town Pump as was in my sketch. Some people asked if I could do a painting of it - so I did one of the Pump in the fall. The red trees behind it get a vibrant deep red every year in the fall - so this painting pays homage to two of my favorite hometown sites!

271 Bridge

This is a bridge in Summit county. It is actually a copy of another painting that one of my friends wanted but could not afford. I painted her this copy - which was as close to the real thing as she could get.
She says she loves this one even more!!

The Magnolia Mill Paintings

iMagnolia Flouring Mill - Painted for Canals Days 2009 because one of my dear friends commented that she remembered ice skating on the pond. I had to paint one to honor the memory. Also available in Matted Prints,Coffee Mugs, & Greeting Cards.

Stockton & Brewster Cheese Plants

Stockton Cheese Co.

Brewster Cheese Company

I was commissioned to do these paintings as a Christmas gift for the owner of Brewster Dairy in Brewster, Ohio - who also owns Stockton Cheese Plant in Stockton, Illinois by the president of the company back in 2004. These companies make all of the Swiss Cheese for Kraft and other national brands. I got to go to both locations to scout the studies for both of these paintings - which were both really nice trips. These currently hang in the office of the owner.

Wishing Well

Here is a painting of a wishing well that I did for a Christmas Present for my family. They each have a print of it in their homes....and I still have the original in my home. I have reproduced this painting for people who want a special picture for an anniversary or wedding gift - and have asked me to put names or initials and dates on the wishing well to personalize the painting.

My Favorite Stuff

Best Friends

This painting I did for a fund-raiser for the Friends of the Pound in Canton. They had special night for people of the community to eat, drink, and attend the reverse raffle and silent auction to raise money for the Stark County Dog Warden's "Friends of the Pound" Volunteer Group. This painting along with several baskets and some other art work helped raise about $2,000 for just the silent auction items alone!

Carefree

This painting is for a very special fund raiser. My dear friend Stacy has a little boy, Seth, who has CCA - it is a birth defect that affects the face and sometimes cognitive and/or muscular systems. Recently,. her little guy had an operation that did not go well and he spent 21 days in the ICU in Dallas. The community planned a special day for her family of fun and fund raising. This Painting was made to donate for the silent auction. It is titled "Carefree" because all little kids should be!

Carnival

This was created for a fund-raiser for a little girl named Lucy in Chicago who has cancer. Her parents have to take her to Memphis for her treatments for the next three years. Money for the family has become very tight. I was contacted by my friend Gina, whose brother and sister-in-law produced the independent film "Dying to do Letterman" to do a painting for this little girl. The "Dying to do Letterman" film is about a comedian with incurable cancer who chases his dream while trying to beat the clock on his illness. Since the film, the comedian, Steve Mazan, has become a connection and a source of hope for others with cancer. I was more than happy to help out Team "Dying to Support Lucy!!" with this painting.

Pieces of Me

This was done with scraps of watercolor paper painted with metallic paint. I placed them to form a woman in a triumphant pose. This piece was done specifically for the Rape Crisis of Summit and Medina County's fundraiser in fall of 2005.

Dance

Three women sharing a happy moment in a carefree dance. This painting celebrates life! It was donated to the Battered Women's Shelter of Summit County for their silent auction in Spring 2005, to raise money for the women and children in the shelter.

Moonlight Swim

This painting was done for a girl who was my secret sister when I worked for the shelter. She is now the director of Development for the agency. she loves dolphins- so I had to do this picture for her!

Pain

This painting was submitted to the Migraine Masterpiece Competition in 1999 and was part of their on-line gallery that year

Celebration, A Life

My cousin is Hearing Impaired. I painted this for the Deaf-Ed Gallery in his honor. It shows swatches of things that are important in his life, and my hand signing "I love you".

Pussy Willows in a Vase

Pretty little Pussywillows and metallic flecks in a transparent vase. A Contemporary Slant on a Still-life.

Embrace Your World

This was a gift to one of my friends who left her job as a social worker to follow her dream! She moved to South Carolina to work in Women's Prison.

Fine Arts

Happy little Jazz Session I painted shortly after I started listening to Jazz. It is one of my favorites. It was sold to a Jazz Musician who saw it on-line and really liked it, too!!

Christmas Tree

I made this for my Christmas cards several years ago. I love this picture and have reproduced it many times for cards, mugs, posters, etc.

Santa

Created for Christmas cards in 2004. One of my friends wanted something completely different for Christmas. Everyone who knows me knows that Santa is my absolute favorite...........so Santa was an easy choice for her very different personally created Christmas cards!

Life, Don't Fret!

This was a gift to my soul brother, Kevin Hall, who is a career musician who rocks!! He was going through some stuff and I made him this guitar man to let him know "it's just life, don't fret!"

Words of Healing

This painting shows the transition from anger in being a victim to finally finding a peacefull acceptance and even thankfulness for survival and becoming victorious over a traumatic experience. It was purchased from my collection by a Victims Assistance Advocate who fell in love with it after seeing it on-line!

Brotherhood

"Brotherhood" was painted for a silent auction for the Battered Women's Shelter in Medina. It was won by a Juvenile Court Magistrate and has it in her Chambers.

Bring it On

Free

I made these paintings for the facilitators of the victim-offender dialogue I had with my offender in 1999. They were so helpful in preparing us both for a very necessary step in my healing from my shooting. Both Davey Martin & Roni Burke are people of boundless energy, optomism, and resources in helping all victims of crime become and live "free". .

Triumphant Dance

Made for a Rape Crisis event in 2006, Triumphant Dance is an obvious dance of freedom and celebration. Made with shredded acrylic canvas board, painted and put together like a puzzle....very cool results!!

Jazz

Another jazz picture. This was bought on-line from the website in 2005 by a cello player who said he looked like the cello player in the painting. :-)

Mask Collage I

Mask Collage II

Donated for fund-raiser in Medina, Won by two different Medina judges ay two different events . I don't know what it is about my mask paintings and the judges, but they really like them!

The Curtsey

This painting was done for a fund raiser with Rape Crisis of Medina County. The couple who ended up with it paid $300 for it. They had just been engaged and they thought it was a perfect engagement gift to one another.

Peaceful Cottage

One of my favorites! I made this for the silent auction in Akron for BWS. It was won by one of the volunteers who worked for the shelter. She has it in her lving room to remind her of the peace we all strive for in our lives and in our homes.

When My Dreams Take Flight

Made for the Battered Women's Shelter 's Silent Auction Fund Raiser 2009. This painting shows planets, birds, clouds, and other dreamy ideas a turquois sky with cherub like girl with hopes and dreams in her head. This painting shows how beautiful it can be when dreams do take flight.

Layers of Hope

This painting was presented to the women of the Battered Women's shelter where I worked. The director got the original and I made prints for all of my co-workers. It represents the women and children that we helped as a result of our work.

Body, Heart & Soul

Made for the Battered Women's Shelter 's Silent Auction Fund Raiser 2009. Images of strong women and overcoming are always popular items at the auction.

Threads of Friendship

This painting was commissioned by one of my co-workers. She got it for her best friend who was graduating from college. They had grown up together, gone to school and college together. The painting represents school years, clubs, volunteering, and church groups that they had experienced together.

Blessed Be the Ties That Bind

This painting was made for my Diversity Professor in my Masters of Counseling Program. It depicts how - no matter what our differences - we are all pulled together by a golden strand of likeness in love and brotherhood. He got the original - and I made 60 other prints of this for my classmates.

Festival Lights

This painting was done for my dear friend Debra Chase when she left the agency we both worked for to get her Ph.D in counseling. She was an amazing woman who just ooozed calm and sanity to those she treated as well as her co-workers. She loves this painting and still hangs it in the office of wherever she works.

Acceptance

Modeled after the Words of Healing painting from above - this painting went to a show in Akron about acceptance that was used to promote self-esteem in students. It sold for $175.00 Yeah! The money was donated to the sponsoring agency.

Be Still & Know

This painting was donated to a benefit dinner for my friend Albert Woodin who was in a terrible Motorcycle accident in July of 2010. He is still recovering - but the night and the food and the gifts bestowed by those who love Albert helped him heal so much inside was well as outside!

Two of Hearts

Just a goofy painting sold on Ebay. Someone asked me to list something that was just very Picasso-ish. So here it is!!

Two Divas

I made this picture for a friend of mine when her daughter were singing in a show. It is called "Two Divas" because I always teased her about having two divas in her house!.

Victorian Woman

This is a painting I did for my friend Kristi when she moved away from the Akron area. She said she has this hanging over her fireplace

Leaves of Change

I painted this painting on my 38th birthday. Just felt like making some beautiful leaves and textured background. I guess I felt there was change in the air...spiritually and seasonally as well.

Diversity Logo

I made this Logo for the Diversity Grant between the urban League or Akron & the Battered Women's Shelter ...I believe it is still in use!

Shows & Recognition

Clownic Cube

Painted from a dream - I submitted this painting for a Clown Art show in Maryland in 2001 - and it was accepted and hung down at the exhibit for a month in July 2001. I still have it - And it is still for sale for anyone who might want a clown painting.

Life is Beautiful

In April of 2006, I was invited to be the keynote speaker at the Ohio Victims Assistance Annual State Banquet. I was also asked to paint a tranquil painting that would be used as the cover of the collected poems submitted by victims of crime for that year.

It was such an honor, because I was able to pay tribute to the people who had helped me so much.

Murals

Wild Thing Skill Games

The Owner of a "Skill Games" Shop - "Wild Thing" in Magnolia, Ohio - called me to ask if I could do a jungle type mural on the wall of the new shop. I immediately had an image of a Tiger in my head. This one. The mural extends about 12 feet and includes monkeys, giraffes, and very large palm tree in the corner of the shop.

This is an "Elvira" type character that the owner of a Skill Games place wanted to have painted on the walls to go with the Jungle Mural. She is placed behind the tall palm tree in the corner of the shop. She appears on the marquis or the "Wild Thing" Game - and the place is named after her. She is a Lusty Lucky Lady of chance!

Tanning Salon

The owners of this tanning salon wanted murals on their walls that represented their eclectic lifestyle. I covered the hallways in murals of harleys and skulls on one side - and n the other I put graffiti -because they asked me to. They said I could make the graffiti any way I wanted - so I made it life-affirming and positive.

Grand Canal of Venice

This is a mural on a 18' tall x 25' wide barn in East Sparta. It is of the Grand Canal of Venice. The man who commissioned it is from Italy, and he wanted a bit of home in his back yard.