Biography
Success came early for Barbara. In 1965, she recieved a Gold key for Outstanding Achievement from the Denver Public School Citywide Competition. Her life drawing of another student in stencil earned her the Scholastic Art Award. She learned early in life to practice patiently drawing and painting always. Her first painting of Elizabeth Taylor would recieve comments from others on how remarkably like the actress it was.
Born in Los Angeles, California, Barbara moved to Denver in the early 50's. She considerd herself fortunate to study at the Denver public Schools where Art was as important as Math. . Barbara continued at Metropolitan State College in the 70's painting with a social conscience. Exploring important issues such as hunger and child abuse with compassion, she became active with Inner Visions Gallery. During this period, her paintings and her copper intaglio works were exhibited with artists such as Ed Dwight, Clarence Brisco and Bob Ragland.
Barbara's ambitions were challenged in the 1980's when she became stricken with mental illness. Though she struggled throughout this period, she credits the Mental Health Center and her husband, David, whom she married in 1989. She began taking classes at Very Special Arts Colorado, The Emily Griffith Opportunity School and Gove Community School. This provided the stimulus to further begin exploring her art. her partime work with C.H.A.R.G. allowed opportunity to create original art for their clinic as well as speaking out on behalf of rights for the mentally ill.
Therapy has given Barbara a new outlook on life. Refected in lighter themes of her current paintings, she now works in watercolors. Using angels as protectors of innocence and butterflys as symbols of tranquility, these themes are well suited for Barbara's new life.