My goal as a visual artist
​is to create something beautiful
in a safe and sacred space
for the viewer.
​

 ABOUT ME

 I am living my life with the philosophy of Wabi Sabi, the japanese concept of finding beauty in the imperfections.  

​I call it Beautiful Grunge.

My art process starts with paper; different textures will make different marks. I create spontaneous layers of paint using non-traditional tools, like a credit card. I meditate on the chaos and the imperfections, looking for the safe spaces to add details. I am learning to be brave with my marks and trust myself as I draw lines over the paint surface. I find the trees, rocks and plants that dwell in the fields of color.  I add lines to calm the chaos. I am inspired by my mother's quilts where spaces are made and stitching is added to fill the spaces. I don't work in perspective but rather flatten the space and fill in with rocks and trees and botanical lines.

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ART inspiration

I am inspired by my child who is full of love, joy and confidence. They drive me to be brave and to live this life to the fullest.

My newest series is based on photographs my Dad (Pat Barry) took on his hikes in the Colorado mountains.  He generously gave me a stack of photos to use as reference.

​
I strive to be a collector
of beautiful
​present moments.
​

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ART studio

Photo by Jamie Demmitt

I am grateful to have a large dedicated space for ART.
I converted my living room into my art studio, complete with a beautiful 8 foot table.  This space is filled with love and art supplies! Plus there is room to spare for making art with others. This is a space to host art parties that I hope will return soon. 

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ART timeline

2023
​Portfolio Gallery: Gallery Representation:  Breckenridge CO: July-2019 - present
Heritage Eagle Bend Clubhouse: Gel Plate Workshop Facilitator: July 30, 2023
2022
Portfolio Gallery: Gallery Representation:  Breckenridge CO: July-2019 - present
2021
610 Arts Collective: Solo Art Show: Ridgeway, CO: September 1 - 31, 2021 
Heritage Eagle Bend Clubhouse: Gel Plate Workshop Facilitator: September 24, 2021
Arts Week Golden Foothills Fine Arts Festival 2021: Juried Art Sale: Golden CO: July 10-11, 2021
Portfolio Gallery: Gallery Representation: Breckenridge CO: July-2019 - present
2020
Portfolio Gallery: Gallery Representation:  Breckenridge CO: July-2019 - present
2019
Vines Wine Bar: Juried Solo Art Show: Parker, CO: November 2019
Notching Up: Juried Art Show: Schoolhouse Gallery Parker CO: Aug - October 2019
Portfolio Gallery: Gallery Representation:  Breckenridge CO: July-2019 - present
Modern Bungalow: Art Sale: Denver CO
2018
One2One Studio Salon: Solo Exhibit: Englewood CO: August - October 2018
ARTSWEEK Festival: Juried Art Sale: Golden, CO: July 21-22, 2018 
Amuse Yeux: Foothills Art Center: Juried Art Show: June - August 2018
2017
Westminster Brewing Company: ​Art Show: Emergence: an all woman art experience: March 2017
2013
Highlands Ranch Library: Solo Art Show: May 2013
Summer Horseshoe Market: Juried Art Sale: July 13, 2013
2012
west elm: Art Exhibit: Cherry Creek, CO: July 4 weekend 
Paris on the Platte: The Bohemian Spirit – Juried Art Show: November 14 – December 31, 2012
Fall Horseshoe Market: Juried Art Sale: October 6, 2012
west elm: Art exhibit: Cherry Creek, CO: July 4 weekend 2012
Art on the Brix: Teacher Art Classes: Golden, CO: 2011-2012
2011
west elm: Art Exhibit: Cherry Creek, CO – July 4 weekend 2011
Pasquini’s: Art Pop-up: Highlands Ranch:  May 2011
Naturally Loved: Art Sale: Stapleton, CO: 2011
2010
LoDo Aglow: Great Western Bank holiday window display:  People’s Choice award: 2010- 2011
Denver Magazine:  June, “The State of Education” Illustration: 2010
Scribble Project:  Illustration publication: 2010
2009
LoDo Aglow:  Great Western Bank holiday window display: 2009-2010
Illustration Friday: Pick of the Week: 2009
2007 and before: 
Senior Market Advisor:  Monthly Illustration in Senior Market Advisor Magazine: 2007
Silver Plume:  Advertising Illustration in Senior Market Advisor Magazine: 2006
Corvest: Advertising Illustration in Senior Market Advisor Magazine: 2005
2000
Western State College: BFA with Honors in Graphic Design: ​2000