Barb Smith, Painter

Artist's Statement

Morning Light

The spiritual aspect of my life has always influenced my art; whether I am painting landscapes or a painting with a strong spiritual message. Over the past few years my style has changed slightly to a looser representation while still maintaining a realistic image. My desire is to glorify Jesus Christ and to fill my paintings with faith, hope and love .
My media of choice is acrylic as I can manipulate them like oils, but with their faster drying time I am able to produce more paintings. When necessary modern retarders allow me the open time needed for blending, glazing, and plein-aire painting.

Most of my works start off as black and white thumbnail sketches and then progress to more detailed sketches as I work out the compositions and message that I want to convey. Digital photographs and software allow me to intensify colours while still maintaining value contrasts. These photograph I use to a limited degree as a starting point, or reference material.

Bio

Pebble Beach

Barb Smith grew up in southern Ontario. She received her first art award at age 15 at a local art contest in Huntsville, Ontario. From there she continued to paint part time. Her professional training took her into the business world of accounting and administration. She moved out west, married and started her family, at the same time attended Alberta College of Art in Calgary. After many years working in the field of accounting and then raising her large family; she moved to Montreal with her family. While there she was inspired to pursue her painting again which became a source of worship and meditation during stressful times.

In 2005, Barb and her family moved to beautiful Cobourg, Ontario. At that time her youngest son was diagnosed with leukemia and her paintings became even more an instrument for prayer and relection of her life and struggles. Her art continues to be an avenue to express her hope and faith.

She has been a member of the Federation of Canadian Artists, which is an international juried art association, since 1999. Each of the past five years she has had at least one painting accepted in their prestigious shows in Vancouver.

Locally, she is involved in teaching art classes in the community, working part time at the library, a member of local art groups, and has her own art gallery and studio in Cobourg.

View of Lake Ontario	Autumn Fire