Jim McGrath

Jim Mc Grath opted to choose the practical route early in his artistic career by attending Wentworth Institute in Boston, although he was accepted at Rhode Island School of Design and the University of Massachusett’s School of Art. “I wish I kept that Portfolio!” he laughs. Continuing to advance his training he studied at the Woodstock School of Art and the Community College of Vermont. Further recognition of his talent occurred when he was invited as Artist-in-Residence at KAOS Gallery in Wilmington, Vt. In 2002, at which time he began offering art instruction as well. Jim has been exhibiting at Art on the Mountain since 1994. He has also been represented ay Northamption Frame and Art, Northamption ,MA. Charleston, RI: and Indigo Gallery, Cambridge, NY.

His process centers around the contrast of light and dark, working toward a hypnotizing softness; a cross between Hudson River School and tonalism. In particular he points to being heavily influenced by George Inness, J. Francis Murphy, Bruce Crano and Henry Ward Ranger.

Basically a self-taught artist, Jim Mc Grath has been painting in oils for more than a decade. Although accepted to both Rhode Island School of Design and the University of Massachusets School of Art, McGrath chose the practical route, and attended Wentworth Institute in Boston, majoring in mechanical design.

Still very attracted to painting, he continued to work on his own, while taking art courses at the Community College of Vermont and Woodstock School of Art, where he painted with MaryAnna Goetz. Strongly influenced by painter George Inness and other “tonalists,” McGrath’s magic lies in his ability to manipulate light. “I prefer to paint outside at dawn or dusk, because the light always seems different, soft, gentle. I try to capture these moments on canvas – early morning, late afternoon – Vermont offers so many of these opportunities during its four seasons. While most of my paintings are based on actual places or scenes, they often end up being more influenced by my imagination.”

McGrath lives in Wilmington, Vermont where he continues to expertly weave the weather’s many moods into his works. “My only wish is to feel good about a painting. If I can achieve that, the rest will take care of itself”.

His work has been described as:

“…an exaggerated sense of solitude and quiet” & “keen ability to manipulate light”

Brattleboro Reformer 1995

“…adept at capturing the subtle beauty of nature and the nuances of early-morning and late-afternoon light”

“…atmospheric, moody and dream-like..rendered expertly and simplistically with soft edges and dark earth tones”

Deerfield Valley News 2003

Jim’s most recent achieving is the opening of JMcGrath Art Gallery (above MANYU’s boutique) located in the historic Parmelee-Howe building, downtown Wilmington, Vt.

JMcGrath Fine Art Gallery
4 North Main St., Wilmington, VT (802) 464 1339
jmgallery@verizon.net

It was quite an accolade for a young artist with no formal training, and it could have been the beginning of a promising career. But reality dealt him a blow. “Back then (early 1970’s), being an artist wasn’t looked upon as being anything great,” McGrath recalls. “I remember my orientation teacher telling my parents how much this was going to cost, and what they’d get for it: a son who was a beatnik and would die poor.”

McGrath found himself talked into attending the Wentworth Institute of Technology for a more practical career in the “related” field of mechanical design and engineering. “I hated it,” McGrath says. “It had nothing to do with art in any way.” McGrath left Wentworth before completing his degree, and eventually found his way to Deerfield Valley as a home builder.

But McGrath never lost his interest in art and continued to develop his skills and broaden his interests. “When I was bouncing around, wherever I was I’d visit galleries,” he says, “It was one of my sources of serenity.”

From artists on the beach in Santa Monica to street artists in Worcestor’s own “Haight-Ashbury” district, McGrath studied and picked up tips and techniques. But McGrath says one of his most motivating influences were the classic television art instruction shows in which the instructor would finish an entire painting in one half-hour show. “A lot of people wouldn’t want to admit that,” he laughs. “But it was really interesting, the whole simplicity of it. It took snootiness out of art.”

The television painters helped de-mystify painting for McGrath and set him free to develop his own style. Like most artists, his early works can be found on walls in friends and relatives homes. “When I see them now, they look a bit elementary,” he says of his early work. “But I still like them. It’s still me.”

McGrath says he has always been fascinated the work of the Dutch Masters, like Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Van Gogh, and their styles influences his work. “Even the Dutch Masters on my dad’s cigar box blew my mind when I was a kid,” McGrath says. “I love that dark kind of painting with flashes of light, I enjoy looking at it.”

McGrath also lists the work of the 19th century American painter George Innes as a major influence. He says he has been particularly proud the hear his work described as “Innes-like.” Innes’ work is generally characterized by dark landscapes with soft, diffused lighting. “I’ve really been trying to capture that whole dreamy state,” McGrath says.

Over a decade ago, McGrath’s decided to try exhibiting his work at Art on the Mountain. The first year he was turned down. “It was the end of the world,” he says. But he didn’t give up, and the next year his work was accepted. “That was a big boost, he says. “To have people see your work and say “where have you been?’ That was good.

Over the years, McGrath has created a following and his work has been sold around New England. One friend of McGrath’s has said that she knew he had made it in the art world when she heard someone proudly proclaim that they had “a McGrath.”