Loretta Rieth began her artistic journey in fifth grade in Santa Barbara, CA, when a local artist introduced her to oil painting. Her passion for creativity led her to explore digital art, culminating in a Certificate in Graphic Design from OTIS College of Art and Design in 2015. In 2021, she relocated to Oro Valley, AZ, where the Sonoran Desert inspired a new chapter in her artistic development. Loretta has expanded her skills to include figure painting in oil and watercolor. Her work has been recognized in juried exhibitions at notable venues including the Mariana de la Vega Gallery and Tucson International Airport.

Thirteen oil paintings were accepted for Loretta’s upcoming exhibition at the Tucson International Airport which opens July 1, 2025, and will be on view at their changing exhibits areas: Center Gallery (ticketing level), Upper link Gallery (ticketing level near Security Checkpoint A), and Lower link Gallery (baggage level between moving sidewalk and Baggage Carousel #7.  The art will be on display through December 31, 2025.

She has been a member of SAAG since 2022 and she immediately starting exhibiting works in SAAG sponsored exhibitions.

We recently talked with Loretta about her art goals and inspirations.

Q - How do you decide on the themes or subjects of your pieces? Is there a particular message you aim to convey?

A - I’m not really trying to convey a message or provide any sort of social or political commentary.  I literally see images (photos, etc) that I like, or I think may be particularly challenging (for me) to execute. Of course I am quite taken by the beauty of our desert, and have been focusing on capturing that these past few years. This year I am venturing into human figure, and have completed a few paintings tackling that subject (see my online gallery, link is below).  Many, many photos are beautiful, but not so great for oil painting composition, so I tend to both photograph (with my cell phone) as well as wade through a ton of photographs I encounter online or through various social media forums, to find ones that I think will translate “well” or “interestingly" into a painting composition.

Q - What are your future goals with your work?

A- Future goals include attempting to enter more exhibitions, like Little Gallery at deGrazia Gallery of the Sun, Steinfeld Gallery, and possibly the Scottsdale Ferrari Art Week 2026.  These are just ideas for public places to display my art.  Right now I really just need to hunker down and produce more artwork. I’ve got three desert scene oils started right now, and after that a series of three California themed paintings waiting in the wings.  It’s a lot of work and I find that as our weather trends hotter, and the fun activities in town die down, I find more time to focus on my work at home (in my studio). So summertime tends to be a more productive time for me, art wise.

Q - How do you stay motivated and find inspiration, especially during creative blocks?

A- That’s a good question!  Wow, where to begin. Some paintings just seem to come naturally for me, and others I struggle with.  In general, I look to fellow artists, their opinions and ideas.  I have been participating in our monthly SAAG Artists non-critique (hosted by Laura LePere via Zoom), and I get a lot out of that, hearing what others have to say about my works in progress.  It’s a great forum for creative feedback, and I really appreciate it.

Q - What is the greatest reward of your work?

A - Finishing a painting (or drawing). Looking at it and thinking “This is exactly why I am here. To do this”.