Tara Funk Grim exhibit opens at Rehoboth's Philip Morton Gallery
Philip Morton Gallery is proud to host a new, exciting and very colorful exhibit by local-favorite artist Tara Funk Grim, beginning Friday, Aug. 7.
"I am both a studio painter and plein air painter. En plein air, there is a passionate relationship between myself and the scene to be painted. My studio work tends to be reflective and more abstracted, and is often based on imagery from plein air.
"I call my work 'Beyond Alla Prima.' This means painting from life with total involvement of the heart and soul. The painting is not painted in one session, but rather allowed to age where the heart and mind become one with the final image," she said.
Inspiration comes from beautiful flowers, coastal and water themes, birds, the movement of theme parks and the landscape. However, most of the time the inspiration comes in the doing and what is happening with the materials on the canvas allowing her imagination to soar. There is almost always an aha moment when one brush stroke or shape determines the journey and ultimate meaning of the painting. Whether the paintings are executed in plein air or in the studio, they are full of motion, light and color. Even when she is painting a subject that is not moving, there is always the sense of dancing light and wind.
"I work in acrylic and hand-altered collage. The medium allows for ongoing changes in the flow of the moment. Every painting is a challenge. I try not to repeat myself in my work, and constantly vary thoughts and ideas in an inventive and creative way. My paintings are journeys into the unknown and seem to take forever," Grim said.
Grim grew up with the New Jersey boardwalks of Atlantic City, Ocean City and Wildwood in her backyard, and began her art career painting seasonal themes on boardwalk store windows.
She received a bachelor's degree from Chestnut Hill College and teacher certification from Kutztown University. She is a signature member of the Pennsylvania Watercolor Society.
Her work "Flamingo Foliage" was selected for the poster painting for ArtFest Fort Myers, Fla. in 2014. In addition, she won first place for Mixed Media in Bonita Springs National Art Festival and is featured in two new books - "100 Plein Air Painters of the Mid-Atlantic" and "AcrylicWorks 2: Radical Breakthroughs." Flamingo Foliage will appear in the upcoming book publication "AcrylicWorks 3: Celebrating Texture."
"I love teaching, and blend my love of travel and teaching by conducting creative mixed media workshops in USA, France, Italy, Ireland, England and Switzerland," she said.
Grim currently splits her time between Bethany Beach and Naples, Fla.
A wine and hors d’oeuvres opening reception to meet Grim and view this new exhibit is set for 6 to 8:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 7, at the gallery. Everyone is welcome to attend. The exhibit runs through Aug. 25.
The Philip Morton Gallery was awarded Best of Delaware - Art Galley Downstate for 2012, 2013 and 2014 by Delaware Today Magazine and is at 47 Baltimore Ave. in Rehoboth Beach, between the Blue Moon and Aqua. Call 302-727-0905, go to philipmortongallery.com or email info@philipmortongallery.com.
