American, 1869 - 1963
Grimes's mother, Dr. Ellen Taft Grimes, early recognized her daughter's artistic talents, and sent her to the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York. There she studied under Herbert Adams and, in 1894, became his studio assistant. Adams took her to his studio in Cornish, New Hampshire, where she met Augustus Saint-Gaudens. She worked Adams until 1899, and then became Saint-Gaudens's assistant and confidante at Cornish. She was to work for the sculptor until his death in 1907, at which time she completed some of his unfinished public commissions, including the caryatids for the Albright Art Gallery in Buffalo, New York.
In 1908, following six months in Paris, Grimes opened a studio on MacDougal Alley in New York. At this time her work continued to show the influence of her close association with Saint-Gaudens, however, following a trip to Greece in 1914, she became more successful at developing her own style, a transformation evidenced by her several fountain figures such as Boy and Duck and Girl a by Pool (Brookgreen Gardens).
Although Grimes executed ideal pieces, portraits in the round and in relief were the constant in her career; among these being a busts of Bishop Henry C. Potter (Grace Church, New York), Charlotte Cushman (New York University), and a memorial to General Nelson A. Miles (Washington Cathedral, Washington, D. C.). It was by her portrait medallions, reliefs and busts that Grimes was represented in Academy exhibitions from 1910 to 1915 and several times in the 1930s. It was her work included in the 1925 group exhibition of the National Association of Women Painters and Sculptors that prompted Herbert Adams to nominate her for membership in the Academy.
Grimes was a member of the National Sculpture Society, as well as the National Association of Women Painters and Sculptors. She continued to be part of the Cornish colony of artists throughout her life, and served as vice-president of the Saint-Gaudens Memorial there.
In 1908, following six months in Paris, Grimes opened a studio on MacDougal Alley in New York. At this time her work continued to show the influence of her close association with Saint-Gaudens, however, following a trip to Greece in 1914, she became more successful at developing her own style, a transformation evidenced by her several fountain figures such as Boy and Duck and Girl a by Pool (Brookgreen Gardens).
Although Grimes executed ideal pieces, portraits in the round and in relief were the constant in her career; among these being a busts of Bishop Henry C. Potter (Grace Church, New York), Charlotte Cushman (New York University), and a memorial to General Nelson A. Miles (Washington Cathedral, Washington, D. C.). It was by her portrait medallions, reliefs and busts that Grimes was represented in Academy exhibitions from 1910 to 1915 and several times in the 1930s. It was her work included in the 1925 group exhibition of the National Association of Women Painters and Sculptors that prompted Herbert Adams to nominate her for membership in the Academy.
Grimes was a member of the National Sculpture Society, as well as the National Association of Women Painters and Sculptors. She continued to be part of the Cornish colony of artists throughout her life, and served as vice-president of the Saint-Gaudens Memorial there.
