Spring 2025 Newsletter
Happy Spring!
I’m excited to share some wonderful news! I was recently awarded Signature status in the American Impressionist Society (AIS)—a tremendous honor, and I’m thrilled to be part of such a prestigious art organization.
The Albuquerque Museum is hosting its grand finale ArtsThrive Exhibition, and I’m honored to have five paintings included. I have shown in ArtsThrive for the past ten years and I will miss the annual rite of painting for this beautiful event. https://albuquerquemuseumfoundation.org/event/artsthrive
In early April, I’ll be teaching a drawing workshop for painters through the Rio Grande Art Association (register at https://www.rgaanm.org). Strong drawing skills are the foundation of great painting, and I love working with artists to refine this crucial element of their work. The workshop is nearly sold out, and I’m looking forward to diving into the process with attendees.
I’m also honored to have been invited back to the Door County Plein Air Festival in Wisconsin this summer! Though I’ve received invitations in the past to this prestigious event, my schedule has never quite aligned. The festival takes place on the peninsula, and artists paint harbors, boats, bays, farms, cows...I will be painting red cliffs and clouds on a different trip this summer.
As always, I continue to study, explore, and paint. Lately, I’ve been enjoying painting in gouache, in the studio and plein air, using it to experiment with compositions and color ideas for larger works.
Wishing you a beautiful and creative spring!
Now showing at the Albuquerque Museum Arts Thrive Show
AIS National Show at Rockport Art Museum 2024
Montana Plains, 16×20, Oil
My painting, Montana Plains (16 x 20, oil), received the Southwest Award of Excellence at the AIS National Show at Rockport Art Museum in Rockport, MA.
Collectors' Premiere Opening at Albuquerque Museum
I was invited to participate in the QuickDraw event on opening night, where I painted live for two hours, framed the piece on the spot, and offered it for sale—right in the middle of the gallery! It was an exhilarating experience, and I found myself in a true "flow" state while painting and chatting with collectors. Best of all, I was really pleased with how the painting turned out! "Cloud Dance, 8x10, oil.
Barbara Coleman painting for the QuickDraw at the Albuquerque Museum