Tari Federer of Florence joins the ranks of the Artist’s Attic, an art studio located at 930 Broad St., in Camden. Federer discovered her talents as a photographer and painter, unexpectedly. After more than 40 years as a ceramic artist, she returned to school to complete her degree in Visual Arts.
She double majored in photography and painting. In photography courses, Federer was quickly submerged in the contrast of light and shadows. With painting, she was captured by the spectrum of light and often says, "Painting is like taking a shower in color."
Federer has found her true passion in nature, landscapes and wildlife imagery, stating, "These images compel me to see what is often unseen. I feel an interconnectedness with nature. It is the meeting place of all that I am. It is the mirror of my soul."
Born December 5, 1947, Federer spent a large portion of her life living in the southwest where she was exposed to the great outdoors -- riding horses, hiking and canoeing. This passion has continued in the Carolinas. Her art career started at Ventura College and the University of California at Santa Barbara.
In 2010, she returned to Francis Marion University and earned tow Bachelor of Arts degrees, one in visual arts, the other in Spanish, as well as a minor in Art History. Recalling her love of wild places, in the American Southwest, Federer made a career choice to become a fine artist, working in a vast array of media.
She was inspired by the work of Ansel Adams, George Steiglitz, Vivian Maier and Henri Cartier-Bresson in her photography. Her work has also been greatly influenced by her photography professor, Julie Mixon, who has encouraged her exploration of alternative processes, including using digital and analog photography.
Federer’s painting techniques have been inspired by the work of Scott L. Christensen, Helen Van Wyck, her painting professor Steven Gately and such masters as Frederick Church, Albert Bierstadt and Thomas Cole. The use of oils, acrylics, watercolors, pastels and ink lend a fluid feel to the organic yet impermanent sense of nature in its transitions. In the process of creating various art forms, she constantly explores new ideas and techniques.
Federer lives in Florence with her husband, horses, dogs, cats and guinea hen. Her work will be available at the Artist’s Attic, beginning in July. The Artist’s Attic will also be open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Along with Federer, new artist Deb Maza joins the studio, along with standing artists, Dot Goodwin, Emily Houde, Jane Hannon, Ann Starnes, Kathy Redner and Benira Sutphin.
