I've always loved art. I give my Mother credit for that, taking me to the Washington Museum of Art when I was young as often as she could. My Mother could paint and draw very well, but never had enough time to devote to it. She taught me a few basics of drawing, and I always had a natural eye for composition, but never fully pursued it, because I had to make a living instead.
I started painting in the Winter of 2012, 2 years before my Mother passed away. I took a small class at a local craft store. I had never picked up a brush before that, and a light inside me lit up like fireworks! That class taught me the basics of how to start the painting, and I was amazed when I actually came away with a finished piece of art! The teacher said I had chosen the most difficult subject to paint (the story of my life), but somehow was able to put my impression of it on canvas. I had no idea it was any good, until everyone I showed it to, (perfect strangers!) told me so. I took a few lessons privately from that teacher, and the rest, as they say, is history.
I've never had any formal art training, I've been told that I have a natural instinct for portraying what I see, in a way that makes sense. It's a way of seeing things. Since I was young, I've always looked at the world and tried to figure out how I would draw it. Now, I look at the world and try to figure out how I would paint it.
My painting style started out as realistic, but frustrated me, because I was so focused on details, it would take me months to finish a painting. I don't know what changed, but this past Summer, I suddenly began to paint looser, and also discovered palette knife painting. I am now finishing almost a painting a day!
Being able to paint what I see, is such a gift! It's a way of communicating. It means I can leave something to the world when I'm gone, that gives joy to someone when they look at it.
It lets me focus on the present moment and what I am creating. It calms me down, feels like a weight is lifted off my shoulders, anxiety is non-existent.
My paintings are inspired by many things, and emotions. The subjects that I paint vary widely, and are chosen by how the object or scene makes me feel. I am a great lover of the Impressionistic period, and now tend to paint in that style. Although my style of painting changes with each new piece, I am always drawn to that feeling of Impressionism and dream-like quality.
My artwork is ever evolving, just as I, as a person am ever evolving. I learn something new with each painting, and each new day, whether it is a technique, style or emotion, each one is unique. I hope to live the rest of my life in this manner.
I'm happy my Mother lived long enough to see me become an artist. I know she is with me when I am painting, and I know she is proud.
My images do not belong to the public domain. All rights reserved. All the work displayed here by this artist cannot be reproduced, copied, downloaded, edited, altered or published in any form without the explicit consent of owner/artist.
Barrie Stark joined Pixels.com Licensing on March 22nd, 2015.
