Even as a young child I loved creating things and pictures, making up plays for my younger siblings to act out, building sand castles, and making music. As an adult, I’ve been fortunate enough to learn, with the help of many fine teachers, how to paint and play with art in various styles and media. When I lived in the Washington DC area, I studied actively, exhibited and won prizes in national shows.
After moving to Charlottesville in 1989, I took a break from art for awhile, and recently found the creative urge returning in a strong way. My kitchen is now an art studio! I paint most days, and find it something I am driven to do. While I find it extremely satisfying, it is also always challenging and stimulating.
My work falls into the category called “Intuitive” or “process” painting. This is the practice of meditating with brush in hand. It requires the suspension of fear, expectations, and the analytical brain. I allow the painting to evolve based on my vision, love of play and experimentation. Currently, I am moving in the direction of conveying the look of the geological formations in the Southwest US, and of social commentary.

Influences:
My calligraphic work, begun four decades ago, predates my working in watercolor, oil, and acrylic. Over time my painting has been influenced by the graceful lines of calligraphy which in turn has been influenced by the vibrancy of watercolors, oils and acrylics. The dramatic flow of calligraphy within the discipline and grace of the letterform literally permeates my thinking when applying a brush stroke, creating a composition, or experimenting with new materials as I have done most recently with textured acrylics.
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Process: 
When I sit down to work at a drafting table or stand at an easel, the process begins. The planning, the warm up, the mixing of colors (my favorite part) is a standard routine. When I get stuck, when inspiration fails, I try to remember that so much of art is simply “showing up.” Frida Kahlo said, and this I believe, “The only thing I know is that I paint because I need to.”

Joan says, "I love the landscape and enjoy the experience of putting my interpretation of Nature’s beauty on canvas. I work primarily in pastel and love the radiance of the pigment as well as the mark making that is possible. These five landscapes were created both en plein air and through the use of photo reference. I hope you enjoy them."  ​

~Dogs I Have Known~

​I truly love animals and nature but i have a great affinity for the dog. They are so perfectly happy with being just as they are and doing almost nothing...just being dogs. And they have an unending supply of love for us no matter how wrapped up in our lives we typically are. They are always there for us. As such I thought I would share some of my favorite dog portraits from over the years. Enjoy! (and hug your pet when you get home!)

Barbara Wachter paints in oils.  She is represented by The Arts of the Albemarle Gallery, Elizabeth City, NC.  Barbara explains, "Art is a collaboration between the heart and the mind in an effort to expose a piece of the artist's soul. It is the interpretation of each artist, some will choose realism and others abstraction.  Learning to express our true selves through art is like searching for treasure. It is the endless search  where challenge and frustration become our friends , edging us to look deeper within, to find those elements that excite our imagination and touch our hearts. These are the catalysts which motivate us to paint and to find the treasure within.
Only with knowledge can you truly be free to express yourself. Those fundamental building blocks provide the foundation for all good art and they will accompany  for the entire journey. Although it is an endless journey,  if entered into with an open heart, you will discover the nourishment of individuality and the place where true art begins.  Traveling along my path is sometimes elusive and challenging  but finding that hidden voice must outweigh the fear of failure  and disappointment. Although I have encountered both.


I have been lucky to have the gift of wonderful teachers, talented friends and artists who offered inspiration and helped  to keep the artistic fires burning.  My wish is that each artist will enjoy the journey.  Her website: www.barbarawachter.com