Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery is very pleased to announce that Scratchboard Artist, Tara Merkt has been named as the Gallery’s new featured artist and she will now be promoted by the gallery for the next 14 days in the gallery’s Artist Showcase.

Tara was selected as 1 of the top twelve finalists of the gallery’s recent Solo Art Exhibition Series #4. The placement in this competition qualified her art to be showcased in this feature.  Below are Tara's Artist Biography, Artist Statement and 5 images that were submitted to this competition.

Artist Biography:

Tara Merkt is a native of Saint Paul, Minnesota. Tara works predominately in scratchboard art; a 2-dimensional, subtractive medium that involves the use of abrasive tools to directly remove a surface layer of one value (typically dark) to expose a secondary layer of a contrasting value (typically white).

She is currently an active member of the International Society of Scratchboard Artists. Merkt trained at the University of Minnesota (Studio Arts BA - 2000) and the University of Wisconsin (Masters of Art Therapy - 2003). She was recently awarded a "Best in Show Honor" that will grant her an interview article in an art magazine.

Artist Statement:

I was inspired to become an artist because of my Mother. When I was a child she was getting her associates degree in graphic arts. I was able to go along with her to many of her classes during that time. I always remember looking at all the art she and her classmates created thinking that I want to do that someday.

When it came to choosing a degree the definite choice for me was Studio Arts, but I knew that success in the field was difficult. I decided to major in studio arts and minor in psychology so that I could continue on and get my Masters in Art Therapy. Life didn't ultimately lead me into Art Therapy as a career, but Art was always there.

I was introduced to scratchboard art by seeing a display at Blick Art Materials. Someone within the store had taken a small, and I mean SMALL... maybe 1"x 1", sample of scratchboard and created a profile drawing of a man. I was curious what they had used and asked about the medium. I decided to bring some home and try it. I have been hooked ever since.

Moving forward I would like to look into endangered species and their habitats as the focus of my art. This is still a concept that is floating around in my head but it will make its way to a scratchboard in the near future.  www.etsy.com/shop/ChelonidaeArtistry