Painting Life Size: Why Rita Miramontes Works Big
Rita Miramontes with her large original oil painting, The Bride. Fine art prints of The Bride are coming soon.
Look at Rita standing in front of The Bride, and the scale tells the story. The figures in her paintings are as large as she is. They meet you eye to eye.
Why Paint Life Size?
In Rita's own words: "I often use large, life size format to achieve an intimate personal connection between the viewer and the images. I want to invite you into the movement of the dance."
When figures are painted at life size, they create a strong presence. The viewer is no longer a passive observer. The figures' positions, gestures and direct glances beckon you to enter the scene and become part of it. You can read more about this in Face to Face with the Dance.
Texture You Can See From Across the Room
Working large also gives Rita room for her signature technique: thick impasto built up with palette knives, serrated metal and sticks, so that some surfaces seem to rise off the canvas. At this scale, every slash and scrape of color becomes part of the movement. See How Rita Paints for more on her process.
From Canvas to Wall
Rita's largest work, the Celebration of Life mural series, stretches 63 feet across 22 panels and explores Paradise mythology in ancient cultures. Explore paintings from the Celebration of Life series.
Bring Large Scale Art Home
Many of Rita's paintings are available as fine art prints in a range of sizes. Browse the full collection.
Want a large original painting or a mural made for your space? Rita is based on Oahu and open to travel for larger projects. Learn about commissions, murals and private lessons.
