“It’s a Tara and Marion thing,” commented someone.

The two artists had been travelling Main Street advertising an upcoming art event.  Not this time, but it just so happened the two were planning for a future art show and been thinking of a name.   So, “It’s a Tara & Marion Thing” is to be, a name that identifies the artists but not limited to a particular art theme is happening this week. The two artists are collaborating to show their distinctively different works for three days only, Thursday to Saturday at 6220 Main Street in Oliver.

One cannot help but sense a joy of life while viewing Tara’s large contemporary abstracts, rich with colour and texture.  Some images are purely abstracted generated by personal expression while others lean toward recognizable architectural or figurative shapes.  Tara’s vibrant contemporary abstracts are gaining a sizable following among private collectors. Her reputation grows as her contemporary canvasses appear in homes and businesses across the country.  You can view her art on her website at  www.tarahovanesart.ca

Marion’s works in collage and painting are more towards realism.  Her love of the Okanagan valley greatly influences her choice of images. Living amidst vineyards and orchards topped by our surrounding dry hills lends an abundance of thematic landscapes in her acrylic paintings  and mixed media art.  In her works, we sense a happy contentedness of being an artist able to express the sentiments of the saying “there’s no place like home”.

This is the first time the artists have shown together and the first time to have a show on this scale not connected with a group.  Although their styles are completely different they share a love of art and an appreciation of each other’s talent. Both are members of the Oliver Arts Council, the Sagebrusher Art Club and the RipOff Artists and both have won awards in their categories at the Oliver’s Fall Art Show and Sale.  In 2013 and 2014,  the two organized “Art Without Borders”, very successful exchange visits with artists from Oliver’s sister city, Lake Chelan. Over time the two have crossed paths, immersed in art and become good friends.

“It’s a Tara & Marion thing” is open daily 10 am to 4 pm Thursday Aug. 11th through Saturday, Aug. 13th at 6220 Main Street.  Take the doorway between The Oliver Shoe Store and the Artisan Bakery to the back of the building.  Here you’ll find Tara and Marion welcoming you to view and purchase some of their fine art.