ARTISTS BIO
From an early age, Barbara has been most at home outdoors. Growing up in the heart of the White Mountains in New Hampshire, she came to love the rugged nature of this special place. Nowadays, she is a southerner, based out of Lovering Studio in Stone Mountain, Georgia. With her husband Arnie, dog Journey, and African Grey Parrot, Cracker, she frequently travels the country as a plein air artist, chasing the light in all the beautiful places that make up America.
Barbara attended Plymouth State University for her BA degree, Creative Expression in Society, where she studied under the renowned sculptor, Robert Morton. Bob was influential in her career and a lifelong friend and mentor. Barbara credits Bob with teaching her to always ask questions, strive for mastery, and experiment while maintaining respect for the craft. She later deepened her art experience when she began traveling and developing an extensive plein air practice.
Talking to people while she is painting outdoors is a joy! She believes this in-the-moment dialogue allows the artistic process to transcend linguistic and cultural barriers. It is a universal visual language for exploring complex emotions with people who want to learn more about creative expression. And in turn, she loves to hear about their own unique creative experiences. The interplay between the artist and the observer is a pathway for hearing each other's stories and for a deeper connection and understanding.
Barbara’s art evokes empathy and understanding for the natural world and our place in it. She works in a variety of mediums to translate a shape or movement from nature into a work that will raise questions. Sometimes, she packs watercolors to go out and paint, sometimes oils or acrylics and sometimes pastels. On some trips, a simple sketchbook and pencil will suffice! She also routinely switches between an abstract style and realism to explore the relationship between form and formlessness.
Statement
ARTISTS STATEMENT
As a plein air artist, I frequently converse with people as I work. These moments are opportunities for art to transcend linguistic and cultural barriers. When I create a piece on-site, I am using a universal visual language to explore complex emotions with viewers. The interplay between the artist and the observer is a pathway for hearing each other's stories and for a deeper connection and understanding. My intention is for my plein air practice to spark dialogue and perhaps find common ground between diverse opinions.
My art is meant to evoke empathy and understanding for the natural world. I employ a variety of materials to translate a shape or movement from nature into a work that will raise questions. I routinely switch between an abstract style and realism to explore the relationship between form and formlessness. Plein air work is a magical way to build deeper capacity for abstract thought and symbolic expression. For me, making art is a path toward self-discovery and spiritual and intellectual enlightenment.