A native of California, Barbie Smith is an oil painter whose love of color and the beauty and wonder of God’s creation is reflected in her work. She is inspired by any subject with a strong design element, including patterns of light and shadow, or contrast of color and value. Viewers describe her work as providing a sense of peacefulness.
Oil painting is the fulfillment of a lifelong dream for Barbie. Beginning in childhood, with endless hours of drawing, leading to a pursuit of more formal training in her college years, art has always been a part of her life. Her passion for oil painting has developed through many opportunities to study in classes and workshops with both regional and nationally known artists.
Barbie is a member of the Folsom Arts Association, the El Dorado Hills Arts Association, the Placerville Arts Association and the California Art Club, and her work has received awards and recognition in juried art exhibits. It can be found in private collections throughout the United States.
Barbie says, “Painting gives me the chance to respond to the beauty that I find in my everyday surroundings. I am always searching for that hidden beauty in the ordinary places of life. There is a deep place within my being that is fulfilled when I use my limited abilities to reflect a limitless God. I work in the “alla prima” or direct painting method, striving to keep my brushwork expressive with a painterly style so that my work has a fresh and spontaneous look. Taking time to reflect on and appreciate the beauty around me helps me to slow the fast pace of life and capture more meaningful moments in each day.”
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