Rita Eddy - Inspiration from the photography contest sponsored by the Rose Conservancy in 2009 is the basis for my art this year. So many photos of Susquehanna County and its beauty was irresistible. I just had to create painting shown in the photos. I also continue to be inspired by foreign travel and the many interesting subjects all around us. These paintings will be part of the Tour as well as other paintings of landscapes, flowers and local historical buildings.

My interest in art has been a continuous endeavor since high school. Workshops and classes have inspired me to continue. Now that I am retired I can spend more time doing this creative work. Starting out in watercolors, I have branched out in pastels and acrylics and continue to learn with Sue Hand Imagery in Dallas, PA.

I am a member of Hill Country Artists, our local Susquehanna County art group, Endless Mountains Council of the Arts and the En Plein Air Society. You can view my work in Montrose at the J & J Restaurant, the County Office Building, PennStar Bank, and Endless Mountains Health Systems, Pure Pennsylvania in Great Bend and the Susquehanna Health Center in Susquehanna. My work has become part of collections of local residents as well as in home across the United States. Greeting cards created from my paintings extend my art for even more to enjoy.

This year I will be displaying my art at the Holy Name of Mary Parish House in Montrose during the tour with another artist. Come and enjoy our art as well as this historic building. The Harvest Moon Festival will also be at the same location with food and many activities. On Monday I will be demonstrating pastels so stop in and see how pastels create art. Please feel free to contact me at 570-553-2500 or at jirieddy@epix.net.