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II
Another Hollywood
Launched Career
Universal Studio Tours hired Rita Thomassian only days after she arrived in Los Angeles. Her
rich portfolio takes all the credit. Rita immigrated to the US in 1965 and worked at Universal
for two years as a portrait artist. That was the lauch of her five decade career. When she left
Universal she had become Rita Asfour after getting married in Las Vegas.
Only five years after arriving in Los Angeles Rita opened her own gallery in Beverly Hills.
Summarized here are a few of the events that happened along the way before she retired in Las
Vegas in 2012.
Universal Studio Tours
Above is a sample of what Rita displayed on her easel to get the attention of the tourists. The tourists
were always in a hurry not to miss the next ride or show. So Rita had to finish a pastel portrait in about
10 minutes. Which was not easy since pastels are not forgiving because they are not erasable.
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