Artist Barbara Fox presents a meticulously crafted portfolio of still life and figurative paintings rendered in oil and watercolor. Enjoy more of her captivating art by visiting her website.
I was an artsy kid who loved everything from drawing and painting to carving figures out of Ivory soap. Art classes in high school weren’t serious enough for me, so I worked entirely on my own and from books I checked out of the library.
Going to art school was not in the cards, but I attended a university and received my BFA in studio art. Unfortunately, it was a limited education for the knowledge I desired. Creating art in a realistic style was not encouraged.
I began teaching myself watercolor painting (also not encouraged at school) and took classes in illustration at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. My design and illustration career began in 1980, in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Starting a family and moving to a rural area (pre-fax, pre-internet and other modern electronic conveniences) put a crimp in my freelance design career. I started focusing on creating fine art and greeting card illustration.
I painted exclusively with watercolor for over thirty years, and achieved significant success in juried exhibitions. I led watercolor workshops around the country, teaching my method of layering washes and painting details.
My illustration and design career took off again when I was hired by the United States Mint as a coin and medal designer. After twelve years in this exciting but stressful field, I am happy to focus once more on my fine art.
I took up oil painting about seven years ago. After floundering around and ruining a lot of canvases, I was lucky enough to discover the Ani Academy in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania.
The instructor, Anthony Waichulis, is a master of hyperrealism techniques. Although that was not necessarily how I wanted to paint, I did want to achieve those particular painting skills. I took a workshop, then began an apprenticeship with Mr. Waichulis.
So, I am back to school—and I love it! My skills have blossomed, and I am creating work that I am very proud of.
The highlight has been winning purchase prizes from the Art Renewal Center’s renowned permanent collection, and exhibiting at the European Museum of Modern Art in Barcelona, Spain.
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