Nancy Wing
Artist's Statement—Art was only an elective when I was in school. It consisted of 1 week of art history each marking period, and a test on the artists discussed. A list of assignments for the school quarter and a pass or fail at the end of the marking period. I was given a gift upon graduating containing every medium that you could think of. I started with acrylics but their fast drying nature I found difficult. I switched to oils which I was more suited to.
Fast forward 35 years. I've picked up my painting again, and began visiting the art galleries of Fredericksburg. I became a regular for weekly outings hitting as many galleries as I could. I loved to look at the brush strokes and the different styles and trying to figure out how they were done. I found a flyer in Art First for Jane Woodworth and art lessons. It took me six months to get up the nerve to call her!! Jane taught me how beautiful each brush stroke could be I had always tried to hide them! I don't think anyone else would have had the patience that Jane showed me each week. And I don't think I would have learned as much from anyone that didn't have that patience. I was always going for masterpieces when I should have been learning the basics!! Now Tuesdays and Thursdays I spend on art; they are my days. I feel like a kid at Christmas waiting to open up the presents.
Tarver Harris
Artist's Statement—Tarver Harris is an artist working in abstraction. To her painting is an exploration into the unknown to discover something new, oftentimes an emotional journey. She revels in the pure joy of squeezing paint onto a surface and moving it around with sponges, brushes or squeegees creating unique colors and textures. In this manner multiple layers are built up and then sanded or scrapped away to expose what is underneath giving her pieces a sense of antiquity. As she delves into this tactile experience animating the design elements of color, shape and form her life is art and her inspiration is the everyday occurrences of nature.
"This intuitive process is so exciting because each piece reveals itself to me and the outcome is a complete surprise. I enjoy the tactile and visual experience that art brings to my life creating a sense of wonder and excitement. Each piece facilitates a shift in my perspective as it naturally unfolds before me, nothing is by chance yet neither is it planned."
Tarver graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communication Arts and Design. She is an award winning graphic designer who worked in advertising and magazine publication, creating an extensive print portfolio. Currently living in Stafford, Virginia with her husband and two dogs along Accokeek Creek she travels back and forth to her studio in Colonial, Beach. Her works are displayed online at www.tarverharrisdesigns.com or in her studio at JarrettThor Fine Arts Colonial Beach, VA. You may contact her at [email protected].
Member: Fredericksburg Center for Creative Arts (FCCA), LibertyTown Arts and Art First in Fredericksburg, VA and Board Member: Colonial Beach Art Guild in Colonial Beach, VA.
