During
the month of November, Montvale Library’s "All in the Family" Art
Exhibit features the works of
Montvale resident, Tamara Balsamides. The
exhibit is located in the foyer of the Municipal Complex.
Tamara Balsamides is
relatively new to painting, although she has been an admirer of
great art her whole life. It’s interesting to note that she had no idea
that she was
an artist until an illness afforded her quiet time to explore her
interests. Once
she started painting, it became obvious that this was the great passion
of her life
and the silver lining of her long struggle with a chronic illness.
The works in the exhibit are painted in the Plein Air style.
Many of the landscapes
are of locations in Montvale.
Plein Air
is a painting done outside rather than in a studio. The term comes from
the French en plein air,
meaning "in the open air."
The Impressionists, whom
Balsamides greatly admires, were particularly interested in the
influence on
color of
changing light outdoors. Balsamides chooses to use vibrant color only –
no
black, brown, or gray. She loves intense color and creates the more
somber colors
with mixtures of the brighter ones.
Balsamides is
currently using only palette knives - no
brushes - and is thrilled with the texture that is achieved.
The Montvale Library's continuing
series of "All in the Family" art exhibits was created to bring
to the attention of the Montvale community all of the artists who call
Montvale home.
