WOW Tour: Meet Author Barbara Barth

Barbara Barth is a wonderful author who recently wrote Sleeping with Dogs: A Poetic Memoir.  I wanted to have her as a guest on my blog to tell you a little bit about herself and her art.  She is a truly talented woman. 

Meet Barbara Barth 

My art makes me happy! I love painting and when I’m working on a canvas, I’m totally relaxed and oblivious to anything going on outside of my studio. Except for the Chihuahuas. They are sleeping all around the room in their little beds, content I’m at home. 

I use the word studio loosely since I paint (and write) on a primitive farm table in my den. My paints are in a rolling cart next to me, and I hold my canvas on my lap leaning it against the farm table edge. I do have easels, but I find this works well for me. It’s messy with paint splattering on me, my laptop, farm table, chair, floor, and even a dollop might land on a dog close by. One of my poems addresses this situation.

I’m addicted to acrylic paint. I love that it’s fast drying because I don’t have the patience for oils, however lovely they are. My favorite subjects are women in the garden, dogs, cats, chickens, critters, and flowers. I used to collect antique oil paintings of women with flowers and now I paint my own. I’ve done commissioned work, people and pet portraits. While my style is whimsical, I manage to capture the personality of my subjects,and you know it’s them. 

In 2017 I moved to Walton County, Georgia, and connected with the local art center. I became a Board Member to create writing programs, but all the wonderful art inspired me to start painting. I was fortunate that several of my paintings won awards the first few years I entered shows. 

My biggest problem with selling my art is that I hate to part with it. I paint faces first and by the time the face is completed, I feel we’re friends. As with writing, I’m never sure what turn my painting will take. When I write my characters run the show and it seems to be the same when I paint. 

I paint for me and if someone likes what I’ve created that is the cherry on top. Spending time at the art center keeps me inspired. I have not had formal training in art or writing, I just jumped in and did both. I love to encourage others to do the same. The joy of creating is awesome. Do it for yourself and see what follows.