(b. 1971 Marblehead, MA)

Works and lives in Atlanta, GA

ARTIST STATEMENT
My paintings are layered bursts of energy inspired by nature’s movement, blending the here and now with memories. Forms and lines fall into a sea of emotion. Shapes and reflections drift into volumetric configurations. This effect captures the essence of nature’s and light creating an artistic metaphor opaque, airy, thick and organic.

 I pour colors onto the canvas and watch what happens, intuitively I edit. In a manner similar to the impressionist mindset. There is, in me, a constant attentive awareness to create light within the work through color pairings and interactions. This is an emotional response to my surroundings. A moment is captured not as a pastoral landscape; but as the glow of light or movement of forms. My tendency leans to the calm, soothing organic application over the vigorous brushstroke.

 Mixed media allows for more creative freedom and gives the materials a voice. I direct, they sing. The materials are manipulated and moved around in an effort to form the idea of the painting. Mediums are added to get the desired consistency and texture. I chime in to gather the idea together.

 Translucency is created via different techniques and is usually the result of great experimentation. Water and other mediums are added to the materials to allow for spontaneous incidental reactions. I then use hard edges in the oil paint to edit, finding the gems in underlying layers. Mark making in the painting serves as a resting place for the eye and adds diversity from the organic shapes in my work. I also use graphite and oil pastel as drawn elements.

 The most common reoccurring theme in my work would be the ocean or natural elements and forms. The shapes serve as anchors for the mind to stop and reflect upon. They can be identified either as ambiguous or as recognizable forms based on what the viewer brings to the piece. I heighten some shapes by making them a focal point or lessen by hiding them beneath other paint layers. Often I aim to create the sense of a pool of water or an image seen within a crashing wave.

 Additionally, I have a pull toward distinctive color palettes at certain times of the year as the seasons change. I use either subtle or intense color interaction alternately to create depth or space. The overall process could be called a discovery as I am intuitively responding to shapes as they form whether intentional or as a happy accident.

EDUCATION

Massachusetts College of Art Boston, MA

Moore College of Art Philadelphia, PA

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Abstract Painting Workshop October 2014 Thomasville Center for the Arts

Abstract Process April-May Art SchoolSandy Spring

Thomasville Billboard February 2013 Thomasville Center for the Arts

Curator for FLAUNT 25 September 2011 Thomasville Center for the Arts

Artist Discussion Panel April 2011 Thomasville Center for the Arts

Senior Class Artist Critique April 2011 Brookwood School Thomasville, GA

Painting Demo Aug 2010 Atlanta Gallery Association

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

AERENA Galleries 2022 “Solo Show” Napa, CA
Addison Gallery 2022 “Forward Insights” Delray Beach, FL

Gaia Contemporary 2022    "Solo Show"    Santa Fe, NM
Umstead Gallery 2022    “Solo Show”    Cary, NC
AERENA Galleries 2021    “Spellbound”    Napa, CA
Christopher Martin Gallery    2020    “Women in Abstraction” Dallas, TX
Addison Gallery    2020    “Ebb and Flow”    Delray Beach, FL
Studio Montclair    2019    “In the Windows” Montclair, NJ
Pippin Contemporary    2018    "Expressions in Color” Santa Fe, NM

Umstead Gallery 2016    “New in the Garden”    Cary, NC
JF Gallery    2016    “Solo Feature”    Marietta, GA
Thomasville Center for the Arts 2014    “Bird’s Eye View”    Thomasville, GA
Huff Harrington Fine Art    2013    “Barber Abstract”    Atlanta, GA
Gregg Irby Fine Art       2008    “Out My Window” Atlanta, GA
Rutledge Street Gallery    2000          “Elipses” Camden, SC

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

Anne Louckes Gallery    2020 - present Glencoe, IL
Addison Gallery 2015 - present Delray Beach,FL
Pippin Contemporary 2016-2021    Santa Fe, NM
Pryor Fine Art 2015 - present Atlanta, GA
Jules Place 2013 - present Boston, MA
Scope Miami 2015 Miami, FL
Marietta Museum of Art    2014 "Metro Montage XIV"    Marietta, GA
Palm Beach International 2014    Palm Beach, FL
Spotlight on Art 2014-2001       Atlanta, GA
Huff Harrington 2014-2009       Atlanta, GA
The Story of the Creative    2013    NY
Columbus Museum    2013 “Let there be Art and Bloom”    Columbus, GA
Thomasville Center for the Art    2013 “Elements"    Thomasville, GA
Thomasville Center for the Art    2013 “Fresh”    Thomasville, GA
Thomasville Center for the Art    2012    "Blue" Thomasville, GA
Fine Art in Brentwood    2012 Brentwood, TN
Art in the Yard    2012    East Hampton, NY
Saks Fifth Ave Gallery    2011    Atlanta, GA
Thomasville Center for the Arts       2011 "BLOOM"          Thomasville, GA
Huff Harrington Fine Art    2011-2013 Atlanta, GA
Gregg Irby Fine Art       2009-2000    Atlanta, GA
Studio Montclair Currents    2008    Montclair, NJ
Valdosta State University          2008    "Valdosta National" Valdosta,GA
Swan Coach House       2007 "Little Things"       Atlanta, GA

Liz Barber