STATEMENT & BIO
ARTIST STATEMENT
Painting is my true passion—the driving force that ignites my spirit. I am convinced that “how you see is what you see.” To see with my artist eyes means to remove my pre-formed labels and ideas of “tree”, “mountain”, “cup”, for example, and shift my vision so that I see shapes of light and shadow, shapes of color. I respond with curiosity rather than automaticity. Painting is a non-verbal, expressive, and emotional language. It embodies visual relationships. Nothing exists in isolation; everything is in relationship. A subdued yellow hue can suddenly appear intense when juxtaposed against neutral grays, for example. The world, seen this way, becomes a nuanced interplay of light and shadow, color and value, movement, and stillness, shape, form, color, and emotion. It is exciting and refreshing. To paint this wild world in two dimensions and have it come alive on canvas is what I live for. Standing in front of a scene, I draw deeply from my emotions to find my big idea. I simplify my motif into a notan, finding a compelling design. It usually takes several attempts. I sketch a simple value plan. Then I cut loose and paint with buttery oil paints, reveling in the texture of the paint and the luscious colors I mix. I lose myself in the process. All the opinions of my teachers and collectors (and even my own inner critic’s comments) recede, until I am completely connected to the act of painting and seeing. The sense of being a separate self is gone. That is when the painting paints itself, and all I see is Beauty.
The first time I was consciously aware of Beauty-with a capital B- was many years ago. I was grieving the untimely death of my father. I felt lost and without purpose. I hid myself in the shade near some roses. I remember fixing my gaze upon a weathered blossom. It mirrored the weariness I felt ,despite being only seventeen. My world felt devoid of color, a somber gray. Yet, as I continued to observe that aging rose, a subtle shift occurred within me. It ceased to be a mere flower, and instead, its petals became imbued with luminosity and brilliance as sunlight filtered through them. The patterns of light and shadows mesmerized me. Not only that, I began noticing other intricacies—the shapes delineated by the spaces between leaves, the contours and edges of the rose. It overflowed with shimmering, vibrant, and pulsating hues. As my perception unveiled different facets of the rose, the walls that separated us crumbled, and I felt a new sense of liberation. Everything appeared beautiful, teeming with life and serenity—a Beauty with a capital "B." The anguish I carried was transformed by this enchanting Beauty. My grief seemed to have expanded my capacity to perceive it. I observed the rose with a deep attention and awareness. I was connected to everything, with no sense of separation. If I can see Beauty, I know everything will be alright.
BIO
My artistic education began informally during my childhood years spent in France. Our home nestled in the Fontainebleau Forest, just outside of Paris. Every weekend, my father would take me to the Louvre, the Jeu de Pomme Museum, or various other art venues in Paris. These experiences left an indelible impression on me. Living and traveling throughout Europe for three years sparked an insatiable curiosity within me, instilling a deep appreciation for art, architecture, culture, and languages. It was during this time that my desire to become an artist was born. At the age of twenty, I returned to France, specifically to Aix-en-Provence, to attend art school—a homecoming that felt destined. Upon my return to the United States, I pursued studies in art and architecture, ultimately earning a Master's Degree in Community and Regional Planning. I have since continued to expand my artistic horizons through dedicated painting studies with esteemed mentors such as Kevin Macpherson, Scott Christensen, Ray Roberts, Peggi Kroll Roberts, Jill Carver, John Poon, and Kathryn Stats. My paintings have shown nationally and internationally, winning awards in prestigious exhibitions.
I chose three careers in the wake of my passion for painting. My first career as a City Planner and Urban Designer was an endeavor close to my heart, as I strived to merge functionality with beauty. I transitioned into teaching design and drawing as a professor at the University of New Mexico School of Architecture and Planning—an opportunity that allowed me to share my knowledge and inspire budding artists and architects.
My third career witnessed me and my husband, Ross Coleman, owning an ecological restoration nursery and consulting business. Together, we dedicated ourselves to the restoration of rivers and wetlands across the western United States. Not only were these careers important to me, but also provided financial freedom to develop my creative process while continuously showing my paintings in galleries, museums and national exhibitions.
Presently, I reside in New Mexico with my husband, where we have lovingly raised three remarkable children. Parenthood is an art form and spiritual practice that has enriched both my life and my artistic endeavors in unimaginable ways. Witnessing the growth and achievements of my children—my eldest daughter is a lawyer and mother, my youngest daughter is a doctor, and our son is a physician's assistant in anesthesiology and a father—has provided me with immeasurable inspiration and deepened my understanding of the profound connections between family, life, and art.
Through my various professional endeavors, intertwined with the ever-evolving artistic journey, I have discovered that art permeates every aspect of my existence. It fuels my passion, nourishes my soul, and continuously beckons me to explore the boundless realms of creativity.
SELECTED JURIED AND INVITATIONAL EXHIBITIONS, AWARDS AND HONORS
2024
Oil Painters of America Western Regional Show, Prescott Art Museum, Prescott AZ., “Morning Shadows on the Sandias”, 16x20 oil
Southwest Award of Excellence, American Impressionist National Show, Rockport Art Association and Museum, Rockport , MA., “Montana Plains”, 16x20 oil
Joe Anna Arnett Memorial Award, Plein Air Painters of New Mexico National Show, Legends of the West Fine Art Gallery, Santa Fe, NM, “Desert Clarity” 11x14 and “The Walking Path” 9x12 (award winner)
Landscape Award of Excellence, Oil Painters of America National Salon Show, James R. Ross Fine Art, Indianapolis, Indiana, “Golden Horizon “, 12x16 oil
American Impressionist Society Small Works Showcase, Anderson Fine Art Gallery, St. Simons Island, Georgia, “Building Clouds”, 12x9, oil
Oil Painters of America 33rd Annual National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils, Mark Arts Gallery, Wichita , Kansas, “The Overlook”, 16x20. oil
33rd Annual ArtsThrive,: Art Exhibition and Benefit, Albuquerque Museum, Albuquerque , NM
Invited to Door County Plein Air , Wisconsin
Top 100 Finalist for two paintings, PleinAir Magazine PleinAir Salon, February, 2024 for “Desert Clarity”, 11x14, oil, “Worth the Hike-Louie Lake, 20x16. oil
2023
Honorable Mention, PleinAir Magazine PleinAir Salon, November 2023, “Wyoming Plains”. 16x20, oil
Top 100 Finalist for three paintings, PleinAir Magazine PleinAir Salon, November 2023, “Wyoming Plains”, 16x20, oil, “Pond Up North”, 10x12, oil, “The Pinnacles”, 11x14, oil
Oil Painters of America Western Regional Show, Brushworks Gallery, Salt Lake City , Utah “A Cloud Dance”, 16x20, oil
Plein Air Painters of New Mexico National Show, Legends of the West Gallery, Santa Fe, NM , “The Rise of Dreams”, 10x8, oil
Top 100 Finalist for three paintings, PleinAir Magazine’s Plein Air Salon, July, “A Cloud Dance”, 16x20, oil, “Worth the Hike- Louie Lake”, 20x16, oil, and “Crackling Cold on the Rio Grande”, 12x16, oil
Second Place Overall, PleinAir Magazine’s Plein Air Salon, June for “From the Bridge”, 12x16, oil
Invitational:: Small Works by Master and Signature Artists of Plein Air Painters of New Mexico, Taos Art Museum at Fechin House, Taos, New Mexico
American Impressionist Society Small Works Showcase, District Gallery, Knoxville, Tennessee, “Cliff Faces”, 8x16, oil
American Impressionist Society National Exhibition, Somerville Manning Gallery, Greenville Delaware, “Worth the Hike-Louie Lake”, 20x16, oil
Invited to Door County Plein Air, Wisconsin
33rd Annual ArtsThrive,: Art Exhibition and Benefit, Albuquerque Museum, Albuquerque , NM
2022
FASO Artists Websites Award of Distinction, American Impressionist Society National Exhibition, Mary Williams Fine Arts, Boulder, CO Judge Huihan Liu AISM, “Morning Cliffs”, 16x20, oil
Oil Painters of America 31st Annual National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils, Steamboat Art Museum, Steamboat Springs, CO, “Raking Light at Ghost Ranch” , 18x24, oil
Plein Air Painters of New Mexico National Exhibition, Wild Sage Gallery, Taos, NM
Plein Air Painters of New Mexico Master and Signature Show at Taos Art Museum at Fechin House, Taos, NM
32nd Annual ArtsThrive,: Art Exhibition and Benefit, Albuquerque Museum, Albuquerque , NM
3rd Place Oil/Acrylics, Masterworks, Albuquerque, NM “Still Point”, 16x20
2021
Best of Show, 2021 Plein Air Painters of New Mexico National Show, Sorrel Sky Gallery, Santa Fe, NM, Judge: Jill Carver, “From the Bridge”, 12x16, oil
Award of Excellence, 2021 Oil Painters of America National Salon Show, Quinlan Visual Arts Center, Gainesville, Georgia. Judge: Charles Young Walls OPA, “The Pinnacles”, 11x14, oil
31st Annual ArtsThrive,: Art Exhibition and Benefit, Albuquerque Museum, Albuquerque , NM
2020
Oil Painters of America 29th Annual National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils, RS Hanna Gallery, Fredericksburg, Texas, “Crackling Cold on the Rio Grande:, 12x16, oil
Oil Painters of America Western Regional Virtual Show, Illume Gallery of Fine Art, St. George, Utah, “A Thousand Faces”, 16x20 oil
Best of Signature Members Award, National Juried Members Exhibition, Plein Air Painters of New Mexico, Wilder Nightingale Gallery, Taos, NM, Judge: Lorenzo Chavez, “Cliff Faces, 8x16, oil
Plein Air Painters of New Mexico’s Taos Plein Air: Juried Members Exhibition, Blumenschein Museum, Taos, NM
30th Annual ArtsThrive: Art Exhibition and Benefit, Albuquerque Museum, Albuquerque, NM
A Winter Invitational Exhibition, Taos Art Museum at Fechin House, Taos, NM, Plein Air Painters of New Mexico Master and Signature Members
2019
Award of Excellence, Plein Air Painters of New Mexico Small Paintings Juried Show at Taos Art Museum , Fechin Studio, Taos, NM Judge Louis Escobedo, “Tres Pistoles”, 8x10, oil
Figurative Award of Excellence, Plein Air Painters of New Mexico, National Juried Members Exhibition, Santa Fe Art Collectors Gallery, Santa Fe, NM Judge Peggi Kroll Roberts
Honorable Mention, Oil Painters of America Spring Online Showcase,”Raking Light at Ghost Ranch”, 16x20, oil
Oil Painters of America Western Regional Exhibition, Sorrel Sky Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico
29th Annual ArtsThrive: Art Exhibition and Benefit, Albuquerque, Museum of Art and History, Albuquerque, NM
2018
Best of Show, Plein Air Painters of New Mexico National Juried Exhibition, Sorrel Sky Gallery, Santa Fe, NM Judge Ray Roberts, “Pond Up North”, 10x12, oil
28th Annual ArtsThrive: Art Exhibition and Benefit, Albuquerque Museum of Art and Art History, Albuquerque, NM. Honored as a Large Format Artist.
Plein Air Painters of New Mexico Signature and Master Signature Invitational Member Show, Taos Art Museum, Fechin Studio, Taos, New Mexico
2017
27th Annual ArtsThrive: Art Exhibition and Benefit, Albuquerque Museum of Art and Art History, Albuquerque, NM
2016
26th Annual Miniatures and More, Albuquerque Museum of Art and Art History, Albuquerque, NM
2014
Oil Painters of America, 23rd Annual National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils, Bennington Center for the Arts, Bennington, VT, “Monterey Wharf”, 10x8, oil
2013
Oil Painters of America, National Juried Salon Show of Traditional Oils, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Petoskey, Michigan, “Golden Pond”, 10x12, oil
23rd Annual Miniatures and More, Albuquerque Museum of Art and Art History, Albuquerque, NM
Weekend in the West, Evergreen Fine Art Gallery, Evergreen, CO.
2012
Seascape Award of Excellence, Oil Painters of America, 21st Annual National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils, Evergreen Fine Art Gallery, Evergreen, CO, “California Cliffs”, 10x12, oil.
2005
Biennale Internazionale Dell’Arte Contemporanea, Fortezza da Basso, Florence, Italy. This was the fifth annual international exhibition of contemporary art. This was an international invitational show in Florence, Italy.
2000
Jesus 2000, sponsored by the National Catholic Reporter, a worldwide art competition, Schimmel Center for the Arts, Pace University, New York City, NY. This show also went on a national tour to Chicago, Illinois and to Belleville, Illinois.
SOLO SHOWS
2013, Popejoy Hall solo show, Benefactors Lounge and Gallery, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
2006, New Space at Paragon Gallery, Albuquerque, NM
2005, Water in the Desert, at Dartmouth Street Gallery, Albuquerque, NM
2004, Liminal Space, Dartmouth Street Gallery, Albuquerque, NM
2003, New Paintings, solo show, Dartmouth Street Gallery, Albuquerque, NM
See Barbara’s full CV here