Anita Rodriguez Prays with Paint

by Rosemarie Steele

Each Painting is a Prayer 71 Anita Rodriguez-Fitch finds spiritual solace in creating art

ARTIST Anita Rodriguez-Fitch

THROUGH EVERY SEASON OF HER LIFE, artist Anita Rodriguez-Fitch has thrilled to the call of light in her paintings. She is dazzled by the light that gives form and color to objects in nature and the energy cast by their shadows. Her art is an extension of her deep spiritual beliefs. “In my artwork, I want to capture the presence of God as I find it in nature,” said Anita. A California native, Anita was a quiet and introspective child who enjoyed wandering off on her own during family camping trips to the mountains north of Los Angeles. “I’d be surprised by some amazing scene just lit by a shaft of sunlight and the sound of water spilling over rocks. That was the beginning of my fascination with nature.” Anita recognized that she was an artist at an early age. She loved to draw. As a young schoolgirl, she could always find a pencil. Finding something to draw on, however, took more effort. When she couldn’t find paper she availed herself to anything from the blank pages on the inside covers of books to cash register receipts. She discovered the joy of painting in elementary school when she first touched a loaded brush to paper. “The sight of liquid color enthralled me,” said Anita. As a young adult, UCLA and Literature were on her radar, but a brief health issue compelled her to re-evaluate her chosen path and follow her heart. She earned her Bachelor and Master of Fine Arts degrees from the California State University at Long Beach and soon after began sharing her love of art through teaching. While living in California, Anita recalls learning about Paducah’s Artist Relocation Program in Art Calendar magazine. She and her husband agreed Paducah would be a wonderful place to retire—someday. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, the prospect of Paducah soon became a

reality. In 2007, the Rodriguez-Fitch family relocated from the West Coast to Western Kentucky. Anita’s Paducah professional career included an Art Enrichment class at the St. Mary School System, and Art Appreciation and History at West Kentucky Community & Technical College and the Paducah School of Art & Design. She also conducted continuing education watercolor classes and painting workshops for residents at a senior living facility. Though teaching was her occupation, Anita never abandoned the lure of liquid color and a responsive brush. In the early dawn before classes, she marveled at the changing colors and differing light of each new day. Stirred with fresh inspiration, she reached for her camera, brushes, and paints and soon her series “Daybreak” was born. “I began looking forward to waking up,” said Anita. “I would focus on small sections of the landscape, striving to capture a bit of that quiet surprising presence.” Anita was already considering retirement when COVID restric“For me, each painting is tions were implemented at the a prayer—a conversation college, spurring the process forward. about the past, born in the Though 2020-21 was a period of present, for the future.” emotional distress for many people - Anita Rodriguez-Fitch due to continued pandemic concerns, it was a time of grounding and spiritual awakening for Anita. “After retirement it had become clear to me that I needed to be more intentional in my religious practice and this had to extend to my art making.” She notes a trinity of learning experiences that transformed her. “It started with a major change in my mindset, followed by new ideas about God and art making, and an artist retreat that really changed my outlook.” Her first experience was a 30-day coaching program by Chris Stefanick, based on his book “I AM–Rewrite Your Name–Reroute Your Life.” This seminar helped her replace negative self-talk with uplifting powerful words. Soon

afterward Anita embarked on a seven-week virtual journey, “Created to Thrive: An Artist’s Guide to Living in Divine Abundance” with North Carolina artist/musician/author Matt Tommey. Her final foray was a “Called to Create” artists’ retreat in Ohio. “There were some big breakthroughs on that retreat that continue to expand and change the way I approach my art making.” She discovered painting less from her training and more from her heart. Today, Anita has found new joy in working small. She has created a series of mini paintings, which feature a different inspirational message on the back. “This latest project has taken my paintings out of the studio and into printing and publishing, something I know very little about. It’s exciting to still be learning.” In the words of Pablo Picasso, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” “I know how old I am. I know I don’t live in a major metropolitan area. I will probably not make it into the art history books,” Anita admits. “I just want to make art—just like when I was a child.”