Sophia Tarassov – The Beauty of Simplicity

“Isolate and simplify” — That is Sophia Tarassov’s credo as an artist. When you see her work you know her belief has served her well.

Join us at Hammertown Rhinebeck, on Saturday, April 19th (from 5:30 to 7:30) to celebrate the opening of Sophia Tarassov’s exhibition in our Gallery.

Sophia’s first introduction to oil painting was, literally, at her mother’s knee, when she watched her mother paint as a child. She went on to formerly study oils but ended up with a B.F.A. in metal smithing and illustration from University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA. Ironically, after renting her first studio, she was informed the landlord wouldn’t allow torches in the space, so she returned to her “first love…oil painting”.

Sophia moved to San Francisco where she continued to learn and explore for several years. By combining her skills with oils with her knowledge of graphics and metal, her work became wonderfully textured and multi-dimensional while still remaining true to her belief in isolation and simplicity.

Now a Red Hook resident, Sophia remains active as a graphic designer while being continually inspired by her surroundings as she seeks to capture regional landscapes and rural icons with oil paint.

Sophia’s work has been seen in many local galleries and publications — her painting “Egg” (shown at top), was recently featured on the cover of Chronogram Magazine.