Barbara Van Nostern
Vancouver Washington

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Artist Statement

I have had a lifelong fascination with color and its ability to stimulate emotional responses in me.  I love the bright, clear colors in a joyous floral or a fun loving figure painting.   Cool muted delicate colors fill me with peacefulness.  Whatever color, bright, neutral, bold, muted, warm, cool, transparent, opaque and the varying combinations should wake a response in the viewer also.  When I discovered watercolor, there was instant passion;  color, in all its infinite change was at my brush tip.  It was exciting to watch as the paint and water mingled together on my paper.  With my brush I gently coax them here or there; but in the end the colors emerge into a variety of patterns and values that surprise and delight me.  It is like orchestrating new and different symphonies as the colors and water make music.  Enjoy!

Education

1980-1985     Clark College, Vancouver, WA
1989- 2007   Clark College, Mature Learning 

  Continuing Education.  Watercolor workshops:

National Exhibits

1991-1993            National Transparent Watercolor Exhibit (Florida)
1995-2001-03      Florida National Exhibit, Panama City, FL
1996 & 2001-2    Louisiana Watercolor Society Inter-National)
1995- 2000          Red River Watercolor Soc. Inter-national Exhibit (5^th place)
1998-2002           Northwest Watercolor Soc. Inter-national Exhibit
1998 & 2001-05 San Diego International Watercolor Exhibit
2000-2006           Montana Watercolor Society National Exhibit
1991-1993           National Transparent Watercolor Exhibit (Florida)
1995-2001-03     Florida National
2000-2007           Northwest Watercolor Society Member Exhibit
2000-2004           Northwest Watercolor Soc. Inter-national Exhibit

Barbara is a founding member of Gallery 21 at 1013 Main in Vancouver, WA, which is celebrating their 20^th year this spring.   She has won numerous awards in local, regional, national and international exhibits.  She is a signature member of the Northwest Watercolor Society, the San Diego Watercolor Society, Red River Watercolor Society, and the Montana Watercolor Society.  She has been an active member of the Southwest Washington Watercolor Society for twenty some years.  She has taught watercolors through the school and different art organizations.  She presently gives classes in her studio.