11Now retired, Barbara Schilling, was a highly regarded Conservator of Fine Art for over 35 years. As an oil painter, she has studied with many contemporary artists. Her work has been strongly influenced by the bold loose, impressionist art of the Russian painters. She is a West Michigan artist who has been painting throughout her life. While working in Restoration she pursued her painting in the evenings and weekends. Since retiring from her Restoration Career she is committed to creating her own art full-time.
Honors and Awards:
OPA National Honorable Mention Award for Impressionistic Landscape 2020; OPA Signature Status 2020; AIS National Award of Excellence 2020; AIS 1st Online Exhibit 2020; AWA Signature status 2018; Golden Apple 1st Place Award 2018; Jack Richeson Still Life Finalist 2018; AWA Spring Salon 2018; Jack Richeson Smallworks Finalist 2018; Jack Meier Gallery Finalist 2017; Ellington White Gallery 2nd place award 2017; American Art Awards….9 top place awards 2017; Jack Richeson Still life Exhibit 1st Place Award 2017; AWA Salon 2017; OPA National 2017; Principle Gallery Juried Event 2017; OPA Fall Honorable Mention Award 2017; AIS Smallworks National 2017; ArtMuse Finalist and Award of Merit 2016; OPA Regional Award of Excellence 2016; AWA National 2016; Richeson Gallery Smallworks Exhibit 2015; AWA National 2015; OPA Eastern Regional 2015; NOAPS Best of America Award of Merit 2015; Arts in Harmony Consortium Award 2016; Festival of the Arts 1st Place, 2nd Place and 2 Purchase Awards 2015.
Education:
Kendall College of Art and Design and Grand Valley State University
Also studied with Contemporary Artists:
Roger Dale Brown OPAM AISM, Ken Cadwallader OPAM, Elizabeth Robbins AWAM, Quang Ho, Qiang Huang, and Laura Robb.
Gallery Representation:
Frames Unlimited Galleries, Michigan and Ohio: Synchronicity Gallery, Elk Rapids, Michigan: Eisele Gallery, Cincinnati, Ohio: Mary Williams Gallery, Boulder, Colorado.
Current Memberships:
Signature Member American Women Artists (AWA); Signature Member Oil Painters of America (OPA); Signature Member American Impressionist Society (AIS)
Social Media:
Statement
I am always seeking to find a balance between abstract and representational. I love strong textures, thick paint and vibrant colors. Painting to me is about creating an energy that comes through to the viewer. My desire as an artist is to create works of art that go beyond just illustrating a subject. I want my work to resonant with the viewer on an emotional level. Art should be an experience that involves the viewer in some way.
All works are copyright protected. Any unauthorized use of artist's images is not permitted.