Westlock painter with natural gift August artist

A Westlock woman has her artwork on display in Barrhead.

Rita VanRoodselaar, a special needs educational assistant at Barrhead Elementary School, is the Barrhead Art Club’s artist-of-the-month for August and says art has always been a passion in her life.

“I started experimenting with art when my children were small, around the mid-1980’s,” VanRoodselaar said, adding a lot of the work on display is reflective of courses taken.

“Many of the pieces on display were included due to the fact there are personal meanings in many of them and each one tells a story. I’ve been with the Barrhead Art Club for nine years but before that, I was part of the Westlock Art Club.”

VanRoodselaar said she thinks of herself as a realist painter.

“I love all mediums, however and I like to try everything. Through all the years I’ve been painting, I’ve tried to be as realistic as possible, and I think I am finally getting there. I think it is good to get out of your comfort zone because that’s how you grow,” she said, adding she is pretty critical of her own work.

“Sometimes I have to make myself take a step back and take in all that I’ve accomplished. If I don’t like my art, how can I expect others to? However, being included in competitions or being invited to events like the ACA in Red Deer, you know, it is an awesome feeling,” she said.

VanRoodselaar said there is always an opportunity to learn more.

“I can’t stress how instrumental the members of the club have been, especially Maria Sieben, in giving me the confidence to display my work and to enter it into various contests and competitions. Maria says anybody can do art and I agree with her. Look at me, I don’t think I’m very good but here I am,” she said, adding aspiring artists should look for a club or take some courses.

VanRoodselaar’s artwork will be on display from Aug. 4 to Aug. 26.