About the Artist
I "used to be" an accountant. I sort of don't like to even mention it because it seems a lifetime ago but that is the point. For anyone else who dreams of a different life, my story is important because it shows all things are possible. My journey brought me here, without the financial assistance of a pension, inheritance or a partner... and now I paint. I understand how lucky I am.
Since I started painting in 2006 I have won enough awards to help me feel confident, which seemed important when I first started painting and still thrills me when I am recognized that way, but it's not the Maltese Falcon anymore. I first painted with pastels, and love the resonance of pastels but the dust is particularly hard on lungs. So I treat pastels like a diabetic would a small taste of ice cream every now and then. Along about 2010 I started flirting with oils and gouache, which is an opaque watercolor. Oil painting did not come to me like a duck to water. I struggled and experienced a fair amount of frustration. What I knew I could do easily and effortlessly with pastels, was elusive in oil. And to make it even more difficult I became fixated on learning how to paint en plein air, or outside; on location. A good friend reminds me that "time on task" is what it takes. For those who think it's simply innate talent, well, I disagree with that notion. 1% Inspiration and 99% perspiration.
I am still obsessed with painting outside, but I am also exploring working BIG in the studio. In late 2015 Lacuna Galleries of Santa Fe offered me a one man show. They wanted 12 large pieces delivered in early January 2016. So I worked round the clock and December was a pretty intense month but it put me in a new place regarding my work. I found that I really like the freedom of the arm movement and rhythm of working on large canvases, along with the brushwork of a larger piece. In particular I think I will be exploring skies and how to treat clouds. So I will work hard to continue to grow and walk a fine line between growth that may not be accepted, and the need to keep a roof over my head.
in 2016 I co-founded Corrales Fine Arts Gallery in Corrales, NM. This is where I show the bulk of my work now. I’m at “retirement age” (LOL!) but don’t want to retire. However, slowing down and doing exactly what I want to do is more important than ever. So I paint as much as I can, try and live a balanced life, run the gallery, I’m working at rehabbing an uninhabitable home just outside of Abiquiu, and I’m enjoying as much of life as I can.
To give proper credit I have studied in oils and pastels with Deborah Secor, Pietro Palladini, Deborah Paris, Fred Miller, Kim English, Susan Ogilvie, Larisa Aukon and Desmond O’Hagan. I admire The Canadian Seven a great deal, along with Van Gogh, Monet, Klimt and Sorrolla among others. People ask what my style is called, and the best I can come up with is a New Mexico Colorist. Sort of self explanatory for lack of anything more refined. I hope to connect with some of you along the way, and I hope to bring joy to you and others through my work. I sincerely thank all of you who have helped make this possible. Thank you, Barbara Clark
Shows & Awards
Corrales Old Church Show October 2023, 2024 and 2025
Corrales Harvest Fest T-shirt artist 2023
PAPNM 13th Juried Members Show 2021: awarded The Louisa McElwain Memorial Award
Artwork chosen for 2021 New Mexico Magazine Calendar
Plein Air Painters of NM Summer Show 2021
Los Poblanos Lavender Festival Poster artist 2021
Guest Speaker for Rio Grande Art Association March 2021
Plein Air Painters of New Mexico Members Juried Show 2019, 2020 & 2021
Invited artists for 2019 Los Gatos, CA Plein Air event
Awarded the project for The Grand Salon of Presbyterian Medical Center Santa Fe: April 2018
One of 30 Artist out of 500 selected for City of Albuquerque 1% For 2018 The Arts Program
Juried artist in 2016 & 2017 Los Gatos, CA Plein Air event
Juried artist in 2016 Solomon’s Island, MD Plein Air
2016 Wild Rivers Paintout: second place
2016 Poster artist selected to represent Corrales Studio Tour
Lacuna Galleries, Santa Fe: Solo Show Jan/Feb 2016
Albuquerque Museum of Art: Miniatures & More Show: 2012, 2013, 2014 & 2015
Placitas Artist Series: 2009 & 2015
NM Arts & Crafts Fair: Juror 2014
Scottsdale School of Arts Best & Brightest Group Show:2014, 2015, 2016 with Purchase Award 2014
Ragin Shrimp – One Woman Show – Spring 2014
Masterworks Juried show: 2010, 2011 - Award of Excellence for “The Seasons ~ Fall”, 2012, 2013 – entries in oil and pastel – Wilson Hurley Enchantment Award, 2014
Commissioned to paint the Bernalillo Wine Fest Poster 2013
New Mexico State Fair EXPO Show:2007, 2008, 2009 Awarded First Place in Pastel Division, 2010, 2011, 2012 – 3rd Place in Pastels, Honorable Mention in Oils
Invited Artist & Judge – Corrales Visual Arts Show October 2012
Invited Artist – Albuquerque Open Space Show September 2012
Invited Artist – NM Cancer Center Foundation Show: Spring & Sumer 2012, Spring 2013, Spring 2014, Fall 2015
Pastel Society of NM National Juried Show: November 2006 through 2015, November, 2006 – HK Holbein award, November 2008 – Awarded 4th Place, November 2011 – Terry Ludwig Award
Maryland Pastel Society Juried Show - 2011 - Connecticut Pastel Society Award
Invited Artist – Albuquerque Open Space Alliance Show 2011 & 2012
Little Gems Juried Show – Albuquerque Open Space Show 2011 & 2012
Pastel Society of NM Signature Members Show – 2011 & 2012
The Bank of New Canaan, CT – One Man Show – October 2010 through February 2011
Artwork selected for the Corrales Harvest Festival T-shirt and Poster - 2010
Pastel Society of NM Signature Member Show – June 2010 – Millicent Rogers Museum, Taos, NM
Connecticut Pastel Society National Show – 2009, 2010 & 2011
Placitas Holiday Sale – Juried Show - 2008, 2009, 2010 & 2011
First Unitarian Church – 2 person show – March 2009
Featured in Albuquerque Water Authority Calendar - 2009
Pastel Society of New Mexico Visions show – August 2007
Corrales Visual Arts Show – October 2007 through 2018
Corrales Historical Society Show – June 2007 through 2011
Rio Grande Art Association Show – December, 2006 and March 2009
Pastel Society of New Mexico Emerging Artist Show – August 2006
Artwork selected for the Corrales Harvest Festival Poster – 2006, 2007 & 2010
Signature Member of New Mexico Pastel Society
Member of Corrales Society of Artists
Member of Corrales Arts Partners
Owner of Corrales Fine Arts Gallery
Member of Plein Air Painters of New Mexico
Corporate Collectors:
Albuquerque Eye Associates
Charles Stephen & Company
City of Albuquerque
Presbyterian Hospitals
New Mexico Cancer Center Foundation
Scottsdale Artists School
Better Call Saul TV series
The Affair TV series
