I love picture books. When I was little, I stared for hours at shapes and shadows, imagining the flip sides of the illustrations.
Brownie cameras were kept out of my chubby hands. Sticky Polaroid prints were used only for serious business. I wasted too much Instamatic film. Yet, pictures flashed and framed around me—from the stool of my great aunt's vanity table, the driver's seat of my first Chevette, or the swivel chair in my 29th floor window office. I tried to capture a few pictures through words and music.
In 1980, I assisted a photographer who showed me stacks of picture books filled with photography by Stieglitz, Weston, Arbus, Steichen, and Lange. Persuaded by an artist, I purchased my own camera, a Pentax K-1000.
Band photography, taken on ripped sofas in nightclubs, took my skills to new places. My circles of friends and the motorcade of life give me fresh opportunities to shoot. The Arkansas Arts Center provides me the space to work and teach.
Now I have my own collection of images and still search for more flip sides everywhere.
Editors note: Check out Rita's photographs at Gallery 26 from May 20 through July 14. They'll be on display in the show “3 Ways/3 Women,” which also includes work by Adrienne Taylor and Nancy Nolan. The opening reception will be on Saturday, May 20 from 7 to 10 pm.
