Risa Tritabaugh - Artist

With the BIG event coming up this weekend, I thought it might be time to introduce myself a little more personally. 😊

I knew from a very young age that I wanted to be an artist. My oldest brother came home from college one day with a giant Renoir print, and I was completely mesmerized. I remember thinking: I want to create beautiful things with paint.

From that point on, I took every art class I could. In high school I skipped study hall for more studio time.

Then came college at the U of MN. I started out planning to major in journalism (writing has always been another love of mine), but one studio arts elective pulled me right back where I belonged.

Life, of course, had other plans too.

I married young, had two beautiful children, and eventually found myself raising them on my own. Those years were hard. There were times I worked two jobs just to keep everything afloat. Painting had to take a back seat more often than I wanted—but I never stopped thinking of myself as an artist. No matter how small the space or how little time I had, I always found a way to keep creating.

Years later, after the kids were grown, I met my husband—a fellow creative (writer and actor). He took me to my first Lowertown Art Crawl, and before long we were immersed in that wonderful community. I showed work there for 8 years.

After leaving Lowertown, I continued painting from my home studio. Then, three years ago, I took a giant leap of faith and joined the amazing artist community at the Northrup King Building. It has truly felt like coming home.

And this year? I retired from my day job.

For the first time in my life, I get to be a full-time artist.

This is the dream I’ve carried with me since I first saw that Renoir print all those years ago—and I’m so grateful to everyone who has supported me along the way. ❤️

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Come visit me during Art-A-Whirl® -

Studio 179 - Northrup King Building

May 15 | 5-10pm
May 16 | 12-8pm
May 17 | 12-5pm

Also find me every week at:

Open Studio Saturdays | 12–4 pm