Strophy Art Gallery

Barbara moved to Olympia in 1970 where she raised three sons and now has two grandchildren.  She has worked for the Washington State House of Representatives for the past 25 years, currently with the Office of Program Research.

Barbara started painting in oils in the late 1970s.  After a hiatus to raise her family, she returned to painting in 1998, but this time she wanted to try her hand at watercolor.  She was thrilled with the spontaneity and fluidity of the medium and the challenges that it presented.  As a representationalist, she works largely with themes and scenes from nature. 

Several years later, she became attracted to mixed media -- in particular collage -- and has been working on finding her style and “voice” in this form of expression.  She has become an avid collector of what she calls her "treasures" ...anything from the papers she uses, to bought and found objects that she can include in her work.  She never knows what she will come up with when starting a collage, but is always excited and intrigued at the results.

Barbara shows her work in galleries, restaurants, and other venues, and you can find her at many arts and crafts shows throughout the area during the holidays and summer months.  She features her original art work, but has turned many of them into prints, note cards, and whatever else she thinks people might like.

Barbara is pretty much a self taught artist with the exception of some workshops, reading art books, and the help and advice of other artists.

Selected Exhibitions and Shows:

• Side Door Studio and Gallery since 2002, Olympia - Featured artist/European series, 2005
• Puyallup Fair – 2000, 2003, 2005, & 2006
• Shelton Oyster Fest – Gold medal in 2002 and 2003
• Lieutenant Governor's Office
• Bonsai Restaurant, Tumwater
• Merrill Gardens, Lacey
• Olympia Art League annual shows
• Art Talks, Shelton - Featured artist for April, May & June, 2007
• Baker Bay Gallery, Ilwaco - Association from August 2007

Education:

• BA in Liberal Studies - University of Washington, Tacoma
• Art workshops in watercolor, sumi collage, and paper making