from the studio of ~

Barbara was born in Gowanda, New York, October, 1943.  She began sketching when she was three years old and there has never been any question in her mind as to what her career would be.  Her first major influence was her mother, who worked in the commercial art field and who encouraged her from the beginning.  In Junior High School, she was blessed to have a teacher with a doctorate degree in art.  He taught her the basics, which would prove to be a great strength in years to follow.  In High School, Walter Garver, a working artist, furthered her education including commercial art instruction.  At Kent State, she majored in Commercial Art for a time and then switched to the Fine Arts so she could take a wider range of courses.  Sculpture, Ceramics, and Anatomy were part of the curriculum as well as painting and drawing classes.  She graduated from Kent with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree.
In 1968, Barbara moved to Salmon, Idaho, and made her home in the mountains where a variety of wildlife and scenic beauty surround her and her family.  She has five children, several which have artistic talent and are building on their artistic heritage.  She and her son, Morgan often go into the wilderness to photograph, study and paint.  She considers the time spent in the field as being just as important as knowing the basics of technique and color.

Barbara feels that the West is her home although her interests are not limited to this area alone. She has traveled throughout Europe, Canada and the States and likes to bring diversity to her work.  Her enjoyment of wildlife is evident, she has an endless capacity for natures’ many beautiful and magnificent treasures.

Barbara decided to have “Breaking Trail” made into a limited edition lithograph print in 1981.  The response was excellent and an edition of 400 sold out very quickly.  Since then she has made over 37 of her originals into prints and has enjoyed being able to share her creativity with many people. Enjoyment, she feels, comes not only through the creative process, but also through the emotions produced in the viewer.  “To sit back and watch someone as they can feel the excitement or the peace in my work is so fulfilling,” Barb commented, “and it is enjoyable to hear the stories that are so often aroused.”
Her works are sold in galleries and to individuals throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe and the Orient.  She has attended numerous Art show for many years and feels that meeting the public is an important part of her business.

Several of her pieces have appeared on the covers of books, she has been featured in magazines and on magazine covers.  Her piece, “Deep Powder Pursuit” was featured on the cover of “Outdoor Life”; and “Bull Power”, which appeared on the cover of “The Steamboat Magazine”, received the “Ozzie” Award for best Magazine cover.  Her bio has appeared in the “Who’s Who of American Women” and in other “Who’s Who” editions.  She now participates in several National Art Shows; the Spokane Western Art show, The Charlie Russell Show, and The Ellensburg Show. She is now being published by Wolf Creek Editions.