T.S. Harris is an American painter, best known for mixing the contemporary and timeless in her large-scale paintings of sunbathers and holiday relaxation. Inspired by found black and white snapshots from the mid-century, the paintings are colorful yet bittersweet, depicting everyday moments captured almost a lifetime ago.

In her own words, Harris explains, "I love the foundation of my paintings to start from an old photo because it connects the past with the present and shows how similar we all are. I first started working this way years ago when I ran across a black and white photo from the 40’s of a woman with her child at the beach. At the time, I was a working artist with small children of my own. I could feel how fast time was flying by, one summer after another, and I just wanted it to all slow down somehow. Well, when I looked at that photo from the 40’s, I was sure that mom felt the same way. We were the same. So, I started painting that feeling- the freedom of summer, the joy of being alive and wanting to hold onto it but knowing it’s precious and fleeting."

Raised by two professional artists, Harris’s art career began at an early age. She has been represented nationwide with solo exhibitions of her work in galleries from NY to LA, with an international clientele ranging from private collections to the Sky Lounges of Delta Airlines. Her artwork was featured on the cover of Beaux Arts Magazine, the leading art magazine of France, and in the indie movie, The Face of Love. She has also participated in many museum exhibitions, with a solo exhibit of her work in her hometown, at the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art.

To see more artwork, please visit Skidmore Contemporary Art. www.skidmorecontemporaryart.com or www.tsylvesterharris.com