I paint experiences and emotions, rather than things. To do this, I push beyond the basic mechanics of creating a painting and focus instead on capturing a poetic visual message.
Barbara's fascination with art began in her teen years with a love of drawing, and her artistic journey was launched with stubborn determination right from the start.
Not realizing that a career in fine art could be a possibility, she steered her initial career choice toward Advertising/Graphic Design, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1986 from The College of New Jersey. After a career in advertising as an Art Director, and then in corporate marketing communications management roles, she was able to turn her focus to fine art in 2002, pursuing it full steam ahead.
Working in oil and pastel, she strives to capture light-filled landscapes in a painterly, impressionist style. Although her larger work is completed in the studio, her knowledge and inspiration for painting the landscape is derived from a regular practice of painting from life outdoors. As an avid hiker, her connection to the landscape is also born out of immersing herself for many hours at a time in the scenery she loves to paint.
Barbara holds signature memberships in Oil Painters of America (OPA) and American Impressionist Society (AIS) and has earned the distinctions of Master Pastelist in the Pastel Society of America (PSA) and Eminent Pastelist in the International Association of Pastel Societies (IAPS).
Born and raised in New Jersey, she has also lived in Atlanta, Georgia for many years until she yearned for snow and mountains for her landscape subject matter, which prompted her family’s move to Bend, Oregon in 2015.
OPA, AIS, PSA-MP, IAPS-EP
Oil Painters of America, Signature Member
American Impressionist Society, Signature Member
International Association of Pastel Societies, Eminent Pastelist
Pastel Society of America, Master Pastelist
Artist's Magazine - “What's Wrong With Your Painting” - March/April 2023
Pastel Journal - “Painting a Colorless Landscape” - Spring 2023
Plein Air Magazine - “Shedding Light on Light Sensitivity” - January 2021
American Art Collector - “Artist Focus” - February 2020
Artist's Magazine - “Winter Whites” - January 2020
“Pure Pastel: Contemporary Works by Today's Top Artists” - edited by Anne Hevener, published April 2019
Pastel Journal - “Skill Builders column/Composition Boot Camp” (also featured on the cover of this issue) - December 2018
Southwest Art - “The Intimacy of Vast Spaces” feature article - October 2018
Plein Air Magazine - “Capturing a Dazzling Light” feature article - September 2018
Fine Art Connoisseur - “Three to Watch” - February 2018
Plein Air Magazine - “Trees” - November 2017
Southwest Art - “Artists to Watch” - January 2017
Pastel Journal - “Artist's Test Kitchen” column - October 2016
Pastel Journal - “The Perfect Pair” - August 2015
Pastel Journal - “On the Artist's Trail” - June 2015
Pastel Journal - “Skill Builders column/The Abstract Block-in” - June 2014
Pastel Journal - “Color Awakening” feature article - December 2011
Art in the West Fine Art Auction and Exhibition, High Desert Museum, Bend, OR, 2023
Plein Air Salon (Plein Air Magazine monthly competition), June 2023, Best Water
Plein Air Salon, May 2023, Best Landscape
Mockingbird Gallery, Bend, OR, three-person show, April 2023
American Impressionist Society National Juried Exhibition, Greenville, DE, 2023
Plein Air Salon, Top 25 Finalist in the annual Salon competition, 2023
IAPS 10th Masters Circle Division Juried Exhibition, online, 2023
American Impressionist Society Small Works Showcase, Knoxville, TN, 2023
Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibition, Charleston, SC, 2023
Pastel 100 (Pastel Journal magazine), April 2023, Honorable Mention
Plein Air Salon, June 2022, Third place
IAPS 8th Masters Circle Division Juried Exhibition, Albuquerque, NM, 2022
Oil Painters of America, Western Regional Juried Exhibition, Dallas, TX, 2022
American Impressionist Society National Juried Exhibition, Boulder, CO, 2022
Art in the West Fine Art Auction and Exhibition, High Desert Museum, Bend, OR, 2022
Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibition, Steamboat Springs, CO, 2022
American Impressionist Society Small Works Showcase, Taos, NM, 2022, Honorable Mention
Plein Air Salon, February 2022, Best Oil
Pastel 100 (Pastel Journal magazine), April 2022, Pastel Journal Award of Excellence (2nd Place overall)
American Impressionist Society National Juried Exhibition, Omaha, NE, 2021
Mountain Oyster Club Western Art Show & Sale, Tucson, AZ, 2021
Oil Painters of America Western Regional Juried Exhibition, Wichita, KS, 2021
Plein Air Salon, September 2021, Best Water
Plein Air Salon, August 2021, Best Landscape
IAPS 6th Master Circle Division Juried Exhibition, Chicago, IL, 2021, Silver Award
Pastel Society of America, 49th Annual Juried Exhibition, New York, NY, 2021
American Impressionist Society Small Works Showcase, Charleston, SC, 2021
Art in the West Fine Art Auction and Exhibition, High Desert Museum, Bend, OR, 2021
Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibition, Escondido, CA, 2021
Pastel 100 (Pastel Journal magazine), April 2021, Honorable Mention
Plein Air Salon, January 2021, Best Western
Art Renewal Center, 2020, Finalist
American Impressionist Society National Juried Exhibition, St. George, UT, 2020, Award of Excellence
Pastel Society of America, 48th Annual Juried Exhibition, New York, NY, 2020
Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibition, New York, NY, 2020
American Impressionist Society Small Works Showcase, Fredericksburg, TX, 2020
Pastel 100 (Pastel Journal magazine), April 2020, 5th Place
Mockingbird Gallery, Bend, OR, two-person show, March 2020
Oil Painters of America Western Regional Juried Exhibition, Santa Fe, NM, 2019, Silver Medal
American Impressionist Society National Juried Exhibition, New York, NY, 2019
Pastel Society of America, 47th Annual Juried Exhibition, New York, NY, 2019
Art in the West Fine Art Auction and Exhibition, High Desert Museum, Bend, OR, 2019
American Impressionist Society Small Works Showcase, Crooked Tree Art Center, Petoskey, MI, 2019
American Impressionist Society National Juried Exhibition, Fish Creek, WI, 2018, 2nd Place
Pastel Society of America National Juried Exhibition, New York, NY, 2018, Yang Family Award
Mockingbird Gallery, Bend, OR, two-person show, June 2023
Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibition, Steamboat Springs, CO, 2018
IAPS 32nd Juried Exhibition, Tacoma, WA, 2018
Pastel 100 (Pastel Journal magazine), April 2018, Honorable Mention
American Impressionist Society Small Works Showcase, Greenwich House Gallery, Cincinnati, OH, 2018
Plein Air Salon, Best Water, August/September 2017
Pastel Society of America, 45th Annual Juried Exhibition, New York, NY 2017
Art in the West Fine Art Auction and Exhibition, High Desert Museum, Bend, OR, 2017
American Impressionist Society Small Works Showcase, Randy Higbee Gallery, Costa Mesa, CA, 2017
IAPS 29th Annual Juried Web Show, 2016, Honorable Mention
American Impressionist Society National Juried Exhibition, Kirkland, WA, 2016
Oil Painters of America Western Regional Juried Exhibition, Scottsdale, AZ, 2016
Oil Painters of America Salon Show, Fort Wayne, IN, 2016
Pastel Society of America 44th Annual Juried Exhibition, New York, NY, 2016
IAPS 28th Juried Exhibition, Salmagundi Club, New York, NY, 2016
Pastel 100 (Pastel Journal magazine), April 2016, Honorable Mention
Oil Painters of America Salon Show, Birmingham, AL, 2015
American Impressionist Society National Juried Exhibition, Scottsdale, AZ, 2015
Oil Painters of America "Virtuosos of the OPA at the Salmagundi Club" Juried Exhibition, New York, NY, 2015
Pastel Society of America, 43rd Annual Juried Exhibition, New York, NY, 2015
Oil Painters of America Western Regional Juried Exhibition, Steamboat Springs, CO, 2015
IAPS 3rd Juried Master Circle Exhibition, Albuquerque, NM, 2015
Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibition, St. Augustine, FL, 2015
Southeastern Pastel Society Juried Member Exhibition, Gainesville, GA, 2nd Place, 2015
IAPS 25th Juried Web Show, 2014
American Impressionist Society 15th National Juried Exhibition, Denver, CO, Artists Choice Award, 2014
Oil Painters of America Eastern Regional Juried Exhibition, Cincinnati, OH, 2014
Pastel Society of America, 42nd Annual Juried Exhibition, New York, NY, 2014, Terry Ludwig Pastels Award
The Artist's Magazine 31st Annual Art Competition, 2014, Finalist
Plein Air Salon, April-May 2014, 2nd Place
Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibition, Bennington, VT, 2014
Art Renewal Center 2013/2014 Salon, Finalist
IAPS 24th Juried Exhibition, Boston, MA, 2014
Pastel 100 (Pastel Journal magazine), April 2014, Honorable Mention
Richeson75 Online Still Life & Floral Competition, 2014, 2nd Place
Oil Painters of America Eastern Regional Juried Exhibition, Annapolis, MD, 2013
American Impressionist Society 14th National Juried Exhibition, Charleston, SC, 2013
Oil Painters of America Salon Show, Petoskey, MI, 2013, Purchase Award
IAPS 2nd Juried Master Circle Exhibition, Albuquerque, NM, 2013, Honorable Mention
Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibition, Fredericksburg, TX, 2013
Solo Show: Outside Influences, Carrollton Cultural Arts Center, Carrollton, GA, Jan-Feb 2013
IAPS 20th Juried Exhibition, 2012 Brea, CA, Honorable Mention
Pastel Society of America, 40th Annual Juried Exhibition, New York, NY, 2012
Southeastern Pastel Society International Juried Exhibition, Atlanta, GA, Best of Show
IAPS 19th Juried Exhibition Web Show, 2011
IAPS 18th Annual Juried Exhibition, Albuquerque, NM, 2011
Pastel 100 (Pastel Journal magazine) Competition, April 2011, Honorable Mention
IAPS 17th Juried Exhibition Web Show, 2010
Pastel Society of America 38th Annual Juried Exhibition, New York, NY, 2010, Connecticut Pastel Society Award
IAPS 14th Juried Exhibition Web Show, 2009
Art in the West Fine Art Auction and Exhibition, High Desert Museum, Bend, OR, 2023
Plein Air Salon (Plein Air Magazine monthly competition), June 2023, Best Water
Plein Air Salon, May 2023, Best Landscape
American Impressionist Society National Juried Exhibition, Greenville, DE, 2023
Plein Air Salon, Top 25 Finalist in the annual Salon competition, 2023
IAPS 10th Masters Circle Division Juried Exhibition, online, 2023
American Impressionist Society Small Works Showcase, Knoxville, TN, 2023
Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibition, Charleston, SC, 2023
Pastel 100 (Pastel Journal magazine), April 2023, Honorable Mention
BoldBrush (Fine Art Studio Online monthly competition), December 2022, First Place
BoldBrush, November 2022, Third Place
Plein Air Salon, June 2022, Third place
IAPS 8th Masters Circle Division Juried Exhibition, Albuquerque, NM, 2022
Oil Painters of America, Western Regional Juried Exhibition, Dallas, TX, 2022
American Impressionist Society National Juried Exhibition, Boulder, CO, 2022
Art in the West Fine Art Auction and Exhibition, High Desert Museum, Bend, OR, 2022
Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibition, Steamboat Springs, CO, 2022
American Impressionist Society Small Works Showcase, Taos, NM, 2022, Honorable Mention
Plein Air Salon, February 2022, Best Oil
Pastel 100 (Pastel Journal magazine), April 2022, Pastel Journal Award of Excellence (2nd Place overall)
BoldBrush, November 2021, Finalist
American Impressionist Society National Juried Exhibition, Omaha, NE, 2021
Mountain Oyster Club Western Art Show & Sale, Tucson, AZ, 2021
Oil Painters of America Western Regional Juried Exhibition, Wichita, KS, 2021
Plein Air Salon, September 2021, Best Water
Plein Air Salon, August, 2021, Best Landscape
IAPS 6th Master Circle Division Juried Exhibition, Chicago, IL, 2021, Silver Award
Pastel Society of America, 49th Annual Juried Exhibition, New York, NY, 2021
American Impressionist Society Small Works Showcase, Charleston, SC, 2021
Art in the West Fine Art Auction and Exhibition, High Desert Museum, Bend, OR, 2021
Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibition, Escondido, CA, 2021
Pastel 100 (Pastel Journal magazine), April 2021, Honorable Mention
Plein Air Salon, January 2021, Best Western
Art Renewal Center, 2020, Finalist
American Impressionist Society National Juried Exhibition, St. George, UT, 2020, Award of Excellence
Pastel Society of America, 48th Annual Juried Exhibition, New York, NY, 2020
Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibition, New York, NY, 2020
American Impressionist Society Small Works Showcase, Fredericksburg, TX, 2020
Pastel 100 (Pastel Journal magazine), April 2020, 5th Place
BoldBrush, November 2019, First Place
Oil Painters of America Western Regional Juried Exhibition, Santa Fe, NM, 2019, Silver Medal
American Impressionist Society National Juried Exhibition, New York, NY, 2019
Pastel Society of America, 47th Annual Juried Exhibition, New York, NY, 2019
BoldBrush, September 2019, Finalist
Art in the West Fine Art Auction and Exhibition, High Desert Museum, Bend, OR, 2019
UART 2019 Online Pastel Competition, 2019
American Impressionist Society Small Works Showcase, Crooked Tree Art Center, Petoskey, MI, 2019
BoldBrush, February 2019, Finalist
BoldBrush, November 2018, Finalist
American Impressionist Society National Juried Exhibition, Fish Creek, WI, 2018, 2nd Place
Pastel Society of America National Juried Exhibition, New York, NY, 2018, Yang Family Award
Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibition, Steamboat Springs, CO, 2018
IAPS 32nd Juried Exhibition, Tacoma, WA, 2018
Pastel 100 (Pastel Journal magazine), April 2018, Honorable Mention
American Impressionist Society Small Works Showcase, Greenwich House Gallery, Cincinnati, OH, 2018
BoldBrush, September 2017, Finalist
Plein Air Salon, Best Water, August/September 2017
Pastel Society of America, 45th Annual Juried Exhibition, New York, NY 2017
Art in the West Fine Art Auction and Exhibition, High Desert Museum, Bend, OR, 2017
Door County Plein Air Festival, Peninsula School of Art, Fish Creek, WI, 2017
UART 2017 Online Pastel Competition, Honorable Mention, 2017
BoldBrush, March 2017, Third Place
American Impressionist Society Small Works Showcase, Randy Higbee Gallery, Costa Mesa, CA, 2017
IAPS 29th Annual Juried Web Show, 2016, Honorable Mention
American Impressionist Society National Juried Exhibition, Kirkland, WA, 2016
Oil Painters of America Western Regional Juried Exhibition, Scottsdale, AZ, 2016
BoldBrush, August 2016, Outstanding Pastel
Oil Painters of America Salon Show, Fort Wayne, IN, 2016
Pastel Society of America 44th Annual Juried Exhibition, New York, NY, 2016
IAPS 28th Juried Exhibition, Salmagundi Club, New York, NY, 2016
Pastel 100 (Pastel Journal magazine), April 2016, Honorable Mention
BoldBrush, February 2016, Finalist
Oil Painters of America Salon Show, Birmingham, AL, 2015
American Impressionist Society National Juried Exhibition, Scottsdale, AZ, 2015
Oil Painters of America "Virtuosos of the OPA at the Salmagundi Club" Juried Exhibition, New York, NY, 2015
Traveling the West Invitational Art Show & Sale, Dallas, TX, 2015
Pastel Society of America, 43rd Annual Juried Exhibition, New York, NY, 2015
Oil Painters of America Western Regional Juried Exhibition, Steamboat Springs, CO, 2015
IAPS 3rd Juried Master Circle Exhibition, Albuquerque, NM, 2015
Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibition, St. Augustine, FL, 2015
BoldBrush, March 2015, Best of Show
Southeastern Pastel Society Juried Member Exhibition, Gainesville, GA, 2nd Place, 2015
IAPS 25th Juried Web Show, 2014
Southwest Art Magazine Artistic Excellence Competition, Honorable Mention (among top 13 winners), 2014
American Impressionist Society 15th National Juried Exhibition, Denver, CO, Artists Choice Award, 2014
Oil Painters of America Eastern Regional Juried Exhibition, Cincinnati, OH, 2014
Pastel Society of America, 42nd Annual Juried Exhibition, New York, NY, 2014, Terry Ludwig Pastels Award
American Women Artists National Juried Exhibition, Orleans, MA, 2014, Merit Award
BoldBrush, June 2014, 2nd Place
The Artist's Magazine 31st Annual Art Competition, 2014, Finalist
Plein Air Salon, April-May 2014, 2nd Place
Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibition, Bennington, VT, 2014
Art Renewal Center 2013/2014 Salon, Finalist
Southeastern Pastel Society 2014 International Juried Exhibition, Atlanta, GA, Honorable Mention
IAPS 24th Juried Exhibition, Boston, MA, 2014
Pastel 100 (Pastel Journal magazine), April 2014, Honorable Mention
BoldBrush, March 2014, Outstanding Pastel
Richeson75 Online Still Life & Floral Competition, 2014, 2nd Place
Oil Painters of America Eastern Regional Juried Exhibition, Annapolis, MD, 2013
American Impressionist Society 14th National Juried Exhibition, Charleston, SC, 2013
The Artist's Magazine 30th Annual Art Competition, 2013, Finalist
Oil Painters of America Salon Show, Petoskey, MI, 2013, Purchase Award
IAPS 2nd Juried Master Circle Exhibition, Albuquerque, NM, 2013, Honorable Mention
BoldBrush, April 2013, Outstanding Pastel
Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibition, Fredericksburg, TX, 2013
Southeastern Pastel Society Juried Member Exhibition, Carrollton, GA, 2013, Second place
Women Painters of the Southeast Juried Exhibition, Franklin, TN, 2013, Juror's Choice Award
Columbus Museum Invitational Art Show & Sale, Columbus, GA, 2013
Callaway Gardens Juried Plein Air Competition, 2013
Solo Show: Outside Influences, Carrollton Cultural Arts Center, Carrollton, GA, Jan-Feb 2013
The Artist's Magazine All-Media Online Competition, 2012, Honorable Mention
Randy Higbee 6" Squared Juried Exhibition, 2012
Appalachian Pastel Society National Juried Exhibition, Asheville, NC, 2012, Merit Award
BoldBrush, September 2012, Finalist
IAPS 20th Juried Exhibition, 2012 Brea, CA, Honorable Mention
Pastel Society of America, 40th Annual Juried Exhibition, New York, NY, 2012
Southeastern Pastel Society International Juried Exhibition, Atlanta, GA, Best of Show
IAPS 19th Juried Exhibition Web Show, 2011
Smith-Gilbert Gardens Plein Air Competition, Kennesaw, GA, Fall 2011, Third Place
Southeastern Pastel Society Members Juried Exhibition, Gainesville, GA, 2011, Honorable Mention
Atlanta Fine Arts League 5th Annual Juried Exhibition, Atlanta, GA, 2011, Honorable Mention
IAPS 18th Annual Juried Exhibition, Albuquerque, NM, 2011
Pastel 100 (Pastel Journal magazine) Competition, April 2011, Honorable Mention
Smith-Gilbert Gardens Plein Air Competition, Kennesaw, GA, Spring 2011, Merit Award
IAPS 17th Juried Exhibition Web Show, 2010
Smith-Gilbert Gardens Plein Air Competition, Kennesaw, GA, Fall 2011, Merit Award
Pastel Society of America 38th Annual Juried Exhibition, New York, NY, 2010, Connecticut Pastel Society Award
Degas Pastel Society 13th Biennial National Juried Exhibition, Hammond, LA, 2010
Atlanta Fine Arts League 4th Annual National Juried Exhibition, Atlanta, GA, 2010, Honorable Mention
Southeastern Pastel Society International Juried Exhibition, Atlanta, GA, 2010
IAPS 14th Juried Exhibition Web Show, 2009
Atlanta Fine Arts League 3rd Annual National Juried Exhibition, Roswell, GA, 2009
Southeastern Pastel Society Members Juried Exhibition, Athens, GA, 2009, Honorable Mention
Southeastern Pastel Society International Juried Exhibition, 2008
Southeastern Pastel Society Members Juried Exhibition, Stone Mountain, GA, 2007, Exceptional Merit Award
Southeastern Pastel Society International Juried Exhibition, Stone Mountain, GA, 2004
