Barbara Hunter Fine Art
Apex, NC
Realism is my calling. I paint landscapes, still life and portraits of animals/pets and people.
Message
When Barbara Hunter first tried her hand at oil painting in 1975, all she had was a dream and next to no instruction. She immediately fell in love with the buttery feel of the paint and the rich, deep colors. She also quickly realized she had a lot to learn. It took many more years - and ultimately a pandemic - before Barbara was able to devote the time and space to truly focus on her art. It is that devotion and focus that launched her art career and opened the door to calling herself an artist.
Over the years Barbara has had meaningful learning experiences with nationally and internationally acclaimed artists and teachers, including Mark Carder, Abbey Ryan, Dawn Whitelaw and Adam Clague, to name a few. All have helped to feed her insatiable curiosity to learn more and especially to learn important technical aspects about painting, such as choosing the right composition, drawing in proportion, mixing colors and paying close attention to values and edges. Also woven into the teaching, and equally as important, has been the lesson of listening to her own voice and painting what speaks to her as an artist.
As an artist who paints realism, Barbara’s goal is to portray real life subject matter just as it is. If the buildings are leaning from the passage of time, as they do in Italy, or the shadows obscure some aspects or edges of what she sees, that is what she paints. She is particularly drawn to how shadows give form to shapes, making a painting look three dimensional or tromp l’oeil. Barbara strives to paint daily so that she can stay grounded in her work and continue to learn and grow as an artist.
In 2023 Barbara had the opportunity to design and build the studio of her dreams. Much to her surprise and delight, her studio was awarded the National Association of Home Builders prestigious GOLD prize at the 40th annual Best in American Living Awards in Las Vegas. Barbara says her studio is her place of peaceful refuge and often where her inspiration is born. She is most content when she is at her easel capturing quiet moments of ocean sunsets and soft marsh grasses, rolling hills and scenic landscapes, still life studies of flowers and fruit, and sentimental portraits of people and pets.
Exhibitions, Shows and Awards
o 2025 PleinAir Salon Art Competition
o 2024 Chatham Artists League Studio Tour
o 2024 The Arts Center, Pittsboro, NC (Preview for Studio Tour)
o 2024 Oxide Gallery of Fine Art, Sanford, NC Landscapes (Juried group show)
o 2024 Pro’s Epicurean Exhibition (Juried group show), Fine Art League of Cary
o 2024 Chatham Artist Guild SMELT Gallery Exhibit (Juried group show)
o 2023 Awarded the Gold in the Best in American Living Award from the National Association of Home Builders for studio design.
https://ruftyhomes.com/40th-annual-best-in-american-living-awards/
o 2023 Portrait Society of America Online Group Competition
o 2023 Fine Art League of Cary Member Show (Juried)
o 2023 OPA Fall Online Showcase
o 2022 Fine Art Studio Online BoldBrush Painting Competition FAV15 Winner
o 2022 Mayton Hallways Show (Juried), Fine Art League of Cary
o 2022 Art Change, Fonville Morrisey, Preston Woods
o 2022 Smith Island Art League Show
o 2021 Smith Island Art League Show
Memberships
o Chatham Artists Guild
o Fine Art League, Cary
o Oil Painters of America
o Portrait Society of America
American Women Artists
Fine Art league, Cary
Chatham Artists Guild (application pending approval)
Statement
When I first tried my hand at oil painting many years ago, I was mesmerized by the buttery feel of the paint and the deep, rich colors. Today, after years of study and working with a cadre of talented teachers and mentors, I am still captivated. I expect to continue to hone my skills for the rest of my life and it humbles me deeply to say, “I am an artist.”
My inspiration as to what to paint is influenced by the composition, light, and color, but is not necessarily conscious choice. It seems instead to be more intuitive, as if the painting chooses me. When I am at my easel, capturing the beauty I see with my eyes and feel in my heart, I believe I am using my God-given gifts as an artist. The art of painting feeds my soul.
While my inspiration may be more intuitive, the process of painting is highly disciplined. Drawing in proportion, composition, value, edges, and color are each important technical aspects to consider when painting. As an artist who paints realism, my goal is to portray real life subject matter just as it is. If the buildings are leaning from the passage of time, as they do in Italy, or the shadows obscure some aspects of what I see, that is what I paint. I want my painting to speak to a viewer in a quiet, compelling way about the beauty they see or the memory the painting evokes. Only then do I feel my work is complete.