A native Tucsonan, I grew up in the desert. While horseback riding along the Rillito river, I soaked up a vision of the desert that pursued me until I began painting to express it. In 1973 I began a love affair with light, using watercolor. I love to paint the Grand Canyon, wildlife, and historical features of Arizona.

Waldt has had many one-woman shows and has been juried into city, state, regional and international exhibitions. She has exhibited in major galleries throughout Arizona, the Tucson Museum of Art, the annual Contemporary Western Art Exhibit at Tucson's Mountain Oyster Club, and in local resorts.

Waldt's watercolor of Tucson's Courthouse was purchased by the Tucson Museum of Art as a gift to the Harmsens for donating their substantial Western Art collection to the city of Tucson.

For a multi-media event with Orts Dance Theater, she contributed five large watercolors which were projected as a backdrop for the dancers. Ideas for these paintings came to her while listening to the music for the piece.

An award-winning member of the Southern Arizona Watercolor Guild President 2003-2004 season, Risa is also a charter member of the National Museum of Women in the Arts (Washington, DC), an associate member of the National Watercolor Society and the American Watercolor Society, and an active member of the National League of Pen Women, and the Arizona Watercolor Association.

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