Pop Art with Passion: Rita Hisar

I am an Italian/Czech Contemporary Artist based in Toronto.  I grew up on a farm, which means I had a lot of time to admire nature and to spend time drawing at a very, very young age.   I can not remember a time when I didn't draw.  I was blessed to have the opportunity to study and work in law and teaching but I never stopped  my art. Although I am largely self-taught I decided to study art  at OCAD (Ontario College of Art and Design) and Toronto School of Art more recently.  

You. Can. Not. Escape. Your. Destiny.

I use acrylic paint and a knife to create paintings that come alive with colour and texture.  l like to use bright pastel colours  that reflect a spirit of hope and optimism. When I paint a portrait for example, I paint layers and layers of colour that reflect the person's energy and complexity.  The colours also represent his or her "passion"-which is something that unites us all.

I am inspired by the beautiful world God created, especially the bright colours of the Caribbean, as well as the urban  world of popular culture:  movies, music, celebrities, magazines and sports. My goal is  to  find the beauty and passion in people and the world around me and to celebrate it on the canvas.