Barbara was born and raised in Kentucky and now resides in Washington State. She has been a professional artist since 1980. After a life threatening open heart surgery at Walter Reed Hospital and a lengthy recovery period.  Barbara began taking her life and art more seriously. While in Japan holding a one woman show she learned that the Japanese feel that artisans are born with a gift and should be cherished and admired, since that time she has devoted her life to art. She believes that she has been given a second chance to make the most of her life, and that her talent and art is a gift to be shared.

Barbara is  self-taught, and highly skilled in a number of mediums. Although portraits are her specialty and oils are her favorite medium she has become highly skilled in others.

Barbara has been teaching watercolors, oils, pastels and charcoals for over 20 years, both private and group lessons. She has held watercolor work shops in Koori-Machi, Japan and Kentucky. She has also given private instructions to artists in Italy.

While in Kentucky Barbara was very active in her community. She has donated many of her works of art and her time for fund raisers, i.e. Hardin Memorial Hospital, The Humane Society, Hospice, Elizabethtown Business Assoc., Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis, Woman's Club and many worthy causes. She was an active member of many  organizations, i.e. Past President of the Downtown Business Assoc. (3 years), Board of directors, The Art Council, created The Art Fair on The Square, Board of directors of sister city committee, member of The Woman's Club, member of Kiwanis, member of Chamber of Commerce, founder of the Art Guild Hardin county and a member of the Lexington Art League. In 1997 Barbara was commissioned a Kentucky Colonel by then Governor Paul E. Patton.  Barbara also contributed her time to troubled youth. Her slogan was "Turn Kid's on to Art and Turn Them off to Drugs". She was able to use her art as a therapy helping juveniles and local youth to recognize their own talents and to work though their problems.

EXHIBITS: One woman show in Koori-Machi, Japan, Represented by numerous Galleries in Kentucky. One woman show at Elizabethtown Community College. Numerous exhibits though out Kentucky.

PUBLISHED WORKS: Illustrated "Clowns" by Jim Roberts, Illustrated " Life of Abe Lincoln", commissioned by the US Government, Book cover for Carl Hollenback's book on Sir Frances Bacon. Designed coloring book for the Elizabethtown Historical Soc.

COMMISSIONED WORKS: 27 Portraits for Hardin County Museum of History. 6 portraits for First Federal Bank past presidents and many private pieces world wide.

I have artwork in private and corporate collections in The United States, Japan, Italy, Germany, France, Switzerland, Australia, Canada and Mexico.