Artist Statement

My Art:  I paint to interpret nearby places: a sultry path in a deep wood—a gently flowing stream—the soaring majesty of a spreading beech—a treasured home—or fascinating cityscapes. The Arnold Arboretum, Millennium Park, Allandale Woods and Franklin Park are only a few minutes from our Roslindale home.  They provide incredible opportunities for me to explore the complexities of nature, changing light and atmosphere, vibrant and quiet colors, and to watch seasons slipping away and rushing back. I am also inspired by patterns of buildings and objects—their intricate angles and reflections and their statements about our city and our lives. Their beauty and their strength open our world to new and old adventures. Recently I have begun adding animals and birds to my work as I try to portray their relationships to each other and to their habitats. When including people in my art, I first ask: Who are they? What are their interests? How can I make them unique and alive through my art?

When painting I frequently alter shapes and colors to achieve a penetrating boldness or a quiet liveliness. Foreshortening or unusual positioning might express a heightened relationship to surroundings. Bold colors express bold interpretations. They urge us to see life with delight and joy or with fear and anger. Other times my colors are soft and elegant and invite one to step quietly into the natural world.

I invite you to walk with me and embrace the intensity of life, to touch the earth and feel its coolness or warmth, to explore a distant hill, to relax under a towering oak, to enjoy the penetrating beauty of nature, nearby buildings, animals, or people that inspire us each day.

Media: I use a variety of media: acrylic paints, watercolors, pen and ink, oil crayons, or pencils and charcoal.  I hope to again experiment with printmaking and etching soon.

Biography:  I grew up in East Tennessee in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. I studied at the University of North Carolina (1963-65). A year in Spain (1965-66) helped focus my interest in art. While living in Madrid, I visited the Prado Art Museum almost daily. Francisco Goya’s, Velazquez’s and El Greco’s paintings were a tremendous inspiration.  I was fascinated by Goya’s etchings. When I returned from Spain, I pursued my own art seriously. I earned a BA. of Fine Arts with a concentration in painting and graphics from the George Washington University and the Corcoran School of Art (1968).  With three children and demanding jobs, I have had little time for my art.  Early in my working career I was an art teacher. I designed curricula for Boston teachers to better integrate art into the classroom. I quickly became involved in social justice issues. For over 40 years I have worked within diverse Boston area communities and have been an Executive Director of four inner-city organizations. After my retirement in 2016, I finally returned to my passion and my art.

Thank you for visiting my site.

Barbara
brkibler@gmail.com
617-835-9915