About the artist

As a child American born and raised Rick Citta loved to draw the world around him, creating drawings of actual and imaginary buildings, people, trees and flowers. His art education includes studies in high school and college in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.  He now has his own art business and is widely known as both a fine and decorative artist.  The name of his business is Above and Beyond Decorative and Fine Art. He uses acrylic paint for murals and water based products for decorative finishes.  His fine art specialization is soft pastel painting and also acrylic on canvas or similar surfaces.  Occasionally he will explore and develop multi-medium creations such as collage and assemblage.

Rick especially enjoys depicting local architecture and landscapes scenes in Southwest America and in Ukraine.    He will often work in a representational style with touches of impressionism.  Typically he draws subject inspiration and details from his own photography.

His work is displayed in art galleries, coffee shops, offices in the states of Wisconsin and New Mexico.  

People skills are important and Rick truly enjoys the client interaction and frequent colloboration between client and artist.  Having worked many years prior in printing, advertising and publishing required strong communication and customer service ability. Now he uses the same skills in his own business with the same good results and mutual satisfaction.

Gallery representation includes Quarles Art Gallery in Tucumcari, New Mexico and beginning  Fall 2010 with Nika Gallery in Odessa, Ukraine where Rick presently lives.

In recent years Rick's pastels have been juried into several national art competitions in America. Competitions of mention: Pastel Society of North Florida, Online Period gallery, Austin Pastel Society.  He is a past member of the Great Lakes Pastel Society, Pastel Society of New Mexico, the Milwaukee Bay View Arts Guild and Wisconsin Pastel Artists.  Rick was the past president and co-founder of the Wisconsin Pastel Artists. 

Also of special interest and passion is the area of art instruction.  Rick has taught art workshops in New Mexico for pastel and also art therapy, called "the Creative Spirit Within" that includes art journeling.  Much of his work has holistic aspects and benefits. 

For commissions, various comments, questions please contact Rick at rcitta@gmail.com