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Making sculpture is a challenge for me. I have struggled with every piece. When I am trying too hard I know it is time to take a break. Sometimes the break is an hour, a day, or a year or two! When I can let go and let piece begin to dictate the vision everything comes together more quickly. In that regard, the sculpture works the sculptor. The invitation to let go confronts me with each new piece. Why do it? I have a desire to live in moment without all the noise of my thoughts. Sculpting gives me an opportunity to see my inner world both the confusion and inner peace.

I was born in Sandusky Ohio on the shores of Lake Erie. I needed an escape from the other eight family members. A place I could go to connect with myself and God. Somehow working with my hands and making things became that quiet place in me.
I began working with non-ferrous metal in 1976, fabricating sterling silver jewelry. I loved working with the jewelers' saw and developed a line of figurative pieces that inspired me to try to recreate them in copper as sculpture. I was led to an incredible non-ferrous metal sculptor that nurtured me technically and encourage me spiritually to follow my dreams. With his help and direction over the years I have been able to take my vision into sculpture. 1995 was the beginning shift towards larger works.

My work is combination of weaving and metal fabrication. I use re-cycled wire that is softened by the heat of an oxy-acetylene torch. It is then woven and brazed together into a metal fabric. With this metal cloth I can build a long curve or sculpt an intricate frame work for my life-size animals or abstracted figurative pieces.

I have been blessed to find teachers along the way that have shared their knowledge, patience, and love of creating. They have brought me to where I am today. What once was my escape route has become my way of life.

ritamarieross.com

In the past 13 years I have been teaching a silver smithing class for jewelry making. I see myself in my students. I celebrate each soldered joint and every saw stroke without breaking the blade. I hope to pass onto them the positive energy and knowledge that was given freely to me over the years.