Rita Malone was born in Queens, New York. She received an undergraduate degree from Cornell University in Communication Arts, with a concentration in Photography and Publication Design.  She earned a Masters in Organizational Media from Ithaca College and pursued private instruction with Jeanne Carbonetti, in Chester Vermont.

Rita moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan in 2008 from Woodstock Vermont. She began exhibiting in the early 80’s and has shown in Vermont, New York, Cape Cod and New Hampshire.  Since her move to Michigan, she has been represented by several galleries in the state and continues to exhibit in Ann Arbor.  Her work appears in private collections across the country in New York, California, Michigan, Arizona, Wisconsin, Oregon and Georgia.

Rita's work consists of abstract acrylic and ink paintings and multi -media collage.  The work has often been called "spiritual", as it comes from a place that is not in concert with imitating tangible people, places or things. A quote from her teacher, Jeanne Carbonetti sums it up beautifully:

"I saw her great affinity for the kinesthetic feel of materials, a kind of direct emotional equivalent in form.  Working from the pure place of feeling, Rita digests her world in a palpable way, providing the rest of us a form which communicates her authentic response to life."