Rita Hisar
I am a Toronto Based Contemporary Artist. My life journey is unique, as I have always been an Artist but only recently did I pursue it professionally, after working in Law and Education.
I have always expressed myself through art. As a child, I grew up on a farm entranced by the beauty of trees, flowers and animals. I wanted to capture the fleeting, fragile Beauty of nature through my sketch pad…before it disappeared.
However, growing up, I did not think being an Artist was a possible career, so I decided to pursue other passions: I studied in university and earned 4 degrees ( Political Science, French, Education and Law ) and worked as a refugee lawyer and teacher. Nevertheless, I always found time to paint, to create.
A few years ago, sensing something was missing,
I decided to pursue my passion for Art, studying at The Ontario College of Art and Design University and The Toronto School of Art.
My art education gave me the confidence to pursue an Art Career professionally. Inspired by Art Movements I studied-Expressionism, Fauvism and Pop Art – as welI as the rawness and honesty of Urban/ Graffiti Art-I developed my own style, using a palette knife and acrylic paint to paint bold and vibrant portraits, still life and figure paintings.
I am still doing what I did as a child – trying to capture the fleeting moment of Beauty -whether a facial expression or an ice cream cone-before it disappears.
In my Art Career I have had the opportunity to participate in many charity events including The Art for Cancer Foundation and Roma Cares; I have also had the opportunity to paint and meet sports celebrities I admire, like NBA star Danny Green and soccer player Sebastian Giovinco. My work has recently been featured in a number of publications including: Art Business News (Mar 2021), Art Reveal (Feb 2021), Boomer Gallery Magazine(Mar 2021), Vie Magazine (Mar 2021) and most recently Artist Talk (April 2021) Art World News (June/July 2021).
My work can be found in private collections in North America and Europe. I am currently represented by New York Gallery, Mahlstedt; Five 3 Gallery in California; Art By Toronto in Toronto and Art Provo in the Caribbean.
I have been blessed to show my work in Art Fairs and Exhibitions in New York, Miami, London, Toronto and the Caribbean.
ARTIST’S STATEMENT
Live in Colour. It means to live fearlessly, with passion and purpose. In art, as in life, I try to do the same: create bold, vibrant portraits, nudes or still life. My work is unique as I always use a palette knife and acrylic paint to create texture and deep hues. The colours explode on canvas with beauty, energy and texture. My work is influenced by an Expressionist/Pop Art Style, reflecting a spirit of hope and optimism.
I work quickly and instinctively, playing with layers of colour and balancing elements of realism (Control) and abstract art (Chaos);
I am inspired by the bold colors of the Caribbean, the raw honesty of Graffiti/Urban art and the passion of Pop Culture. I am also interested in exploring the concept of "Beauty" in its simple and complex forms. Capturing “moments” of Beauty-whether a facial expression or a popsicle melting. There is Beauty all around us in this incredible world God created; I want to celebrate it on canvas with colour.
I am a Toronto Based Contemporary Artist. My life journey is unique, as I have always been an Artist but only recently did I pursue it professionally, after working in Law and Education.
I have always expressed myself through art. As a child, I grew up on a farm entranced by the beauty of trees, flowers and animals. I wanted to capture the fleeting, fragile Beauty of nature through my sketch pad…before it disappeared.
However, growing up, I did not think being an Artist was a possible career, so I decided to pursue other passions: I studied in university and earned 4 degrees ( Political Science, French, Education and Law ) and worked as a refugee lawyer and teacher. Nevertheless, I always found time to paint, to create.
A few years ago, sensing something was missing,
I decided to pursue my passion for Art, studying at The Ontario College of Art and Design University and The Toronto School of Art.
My art education gave me the confidence to pursue an Art Career professionally. Inspired by Art Movements I studied-Expressionism, Fauvism and Pop Art – as welI as the rawness and honesty of Urban/ Graffiti Art-I developed my own style, using a palette knife and acrylic paint to paint bold and vibrant portraits, still life and figure paintings.
I am still doing what I did as a child – trying to capture the fleeting moment of Beauty -whether a facial expression or an ice cream cone-before it disappears.
In my Art Career I have had the opportunity to participate in many charity events including The Art for Cancer Foundation and Roma Cares; I have also had the opportunity to paint and meet sports celebrities I admire, like NBA star Danny Green and soccer player Sebastian Giovinco. My work has recently been featured in a number of publications including: Art Business News (Mar 2021), Art Reveal (Feb 2021), Boomer Gallery Magazine(Mar 2021), Vie Magazine (Mar 2021) and most recently Artist Talk (April 2021) Art World News (June/July 2021).
My work can be found in private collections in North America and Europe. I am currently represented by New York Gallery, Mahlstedt; Five 3 Gallery in California; Art By Toronto in Toronto and Art Provo in the Caribbean.
I have been blessed to show my work in Art Fairs and Exhibitions in New York, Miami, London, Toronto and the Caribbean.
ARTIST’S STATEMENT
Live in Colour. It means to live fearlessly, with passion and purpose. In art, as in life, I try to do the same: create bold, vibrant portraits, nudes or still life. My work is unique as I always use a palette knife and acrylic paint to create texture and deep hues. The colours explode on canvas with beauty, energy and texture. My work is influenced by an Expressionist/Pop Art Style, reflecting a spirit of hope and optimism.
I work quickly and instinctively, playing with layers of colour and balancing elements of realism (Control) and abstract art (Chaos);
I am inspired by the bold colors of the Caribbean, the raw honesty of Graffiti/Urban art and the passion of Pop Culture. I am also interested in exploring the concept of "Beauty" in its simple and complex forms. Capturing “moments” of Beauty-whether a facial expression or a popsicle melting. There is Beauty all around us in this incredible world God created; I want to celebrate it on canvas with colour.
$750.00
Acrylic on canvas using a knife.
24x18"
Serenity is a painting about finding calm- whereever you are. I was in High Park during the Pandemic and I was looking for calm and reassurance, when I came across this beautiful Canada Goose swimming so peacefully. I remember thinking things will work out, we will survive this Pandemic, because nature is still here and everything is moving as it should. I took a picture of it and later painted this special painting -Serenity.
$500.00
Acrylic on canvas using a knife.
20x16"
The beauty of a simple object is often overlooked in our everyday busy lives. However, it is only when we look at something very closely, do we really see its beauty. A slice of watermelon with is vibrant and exploding with colour. We just need to look.
$500.00
Acrylic on canvas using a knife.
20x16"
It is only when we look at something very closely, do we really see its beauty. A fruit, a tiny cherry is exploding with colour and vibrancy. We just need to look.
$1,800.00
Acrylic on canvas using a knife.
30x30"
Madame Liberté is an hommage to the American Icon, symbolizing Liberty and Freedom, two important of qualities upon which America was built upon.
$800.00
Acrylic on canvas using a knife.
24x24"
A Modern Contemporary Portrait of King David, inspired by Michelangeloès David.
$750.00
Acrylic paint on canvas using a knife.
24x18"
Contemplating is a painting about the complexity and simplicity of nature. I am drawn to contemplate the details and intracacies of a fish, its gills, scales and fin- while I marvel at its simplicity.
$750.00
Acrylic paint on canvas using a knife.
24x18"
The Sea Turtle is a magnificent animal that swims with grace and ease. This is what I wanted to capture in this painting which was inspired by my travels to the Caribbean. Unfortunately, it is also an endangered animal due to overfishing, pollution and loss of habitat.
$2,500.00
Acrylic paint on canvas using a knife.
30x36"
Giraffe: The Skin I Am In, is a painting that is part of a series of paintings to raise awareness of endangerd animals. Habitat loss and illegal poaching has caused the Reticulated and Masai Giraffe to become endangered, while the Kordofan and Nubian Giraffe are considered critically endangered.
$2,500.00
Acrylic paint on canvas using a knife.
36x30"
Jaguar: The Skin I Am In is a painting about the beauty and unique strength of the animal. Unfortunately, the Jaguar is being threatened in Central and South America due to deforestation.
$2,500.00
Acrylic paint on canvas using a knife.
30x36"
Elephant: The Skin I Am In, is a painting I made to honour the majestic Elephant. Due to Ivory trade and habitat loss, the African Elephant is considered "vulnerable" while the Asian Elephant is already "endangered".
$750.00
Acrylic paint on canvas using a knife.
24x24"
Audrey Hepburn: True Blue Icon honours a genuine Hollywood fashion Icon. Her style and grace continue to inspire many, so many years later.
$2,500.00
Acrylic paint on canvas using a knife.
30x40"
Originally created at the outset of Covid, this painting honours the beautiful culture and history of Italy, by honouring Da Vinci's legendary painting, Mona Lisa-with a Pop Art twist!