Capturing a moment of joyful observation and conveying that moment through the use of light and shadow, textures and edges in her representational oil paintings and pastel paintings is the reason she paints. She enjoys the challenge of working in Plein Air. Due to the ever-changing light, holding onto that original visual image and incorporating a sense of weather and time of day takes immense focus. Barbara says ”This is my happy place.” Barbara grew up in New Milford, New Jersey. She began drawing at an early age influenced by her father, an amateur oil painter. Living close to New York City, her family spent many weekend exposing her to the art museums, galleries and abundant street art. Barbara took life drawing classes in the North Jersey Art Center while in high school. She studied fine art at Monmouth College and Fairleigh Dickenson University. In 1984, Barbara moved to Cancun, Mexico where she resided until 1994. During this time she worked frequently in watercolors. Upon returning to the United States, Barbara, along with her husband and two children, settled in Florida. Barbara has participated in a number of invitational shows and paint outs. She has been recognized with awards for her work in both pastel and oil.You can visit Barbara's website to view more of her work here.