Today we’d like to introduce you to Barbara Bullard.
Hi Barbara, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My first career was as a high school Art Educator, a calling I thoroughly enjoyed for 26 years. It was gratifying to work with the extremely talented students who came through my classes, but even more satisfying to kindle the spark of creativity in students who did not realize they had the ability to make and appreciate Art. During those years, demands of family and teaching gave me little time to focus on my own development as an Artist. I sometimes wondered if I fit that old adage, “Those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach.” Since retiring, it has been wonderful to have the opportunity to seriously explore my own artistic journey, and I am enjoying the challenge. From earliest childhood, I thought of myself as an artist. I am proud of the fact that in my seventh decade I am still striving to reach that goal, and my response to that old adage is, “I can”.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Like any discipline, growing as an artist takes practice, so before retiring my challenge was Time. There has never been a time I did not make art, but there is a big difference in dashing off the occasional fun project and challenging yourself to tackle serious, complex work. An art teacher is, by necessity, a jack of all trades so I was interested in a wide range of media such as drawing, painting, printmaking and mixed media. Settling on watercolor as my primary medium gave me focus and direction. However, the first time I submitted to a juried competition was the real turning point in my process of becoming a “real” artist. Putting your work out publicly for a professional to evaluate and possibly reject is a scary prospect. Challenging myself to submit to larger and bigger shows has been a leap of faith, and each acceptance is an affirmation that I am getting closer to my goal.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I primarily work with Transparent Watercolor technique, a process where layering washes of paint allows me to build richness and depth in the colors. The transparent technique is challenging as the artist does not use white paint. White areas are achieved by “saving” the surface of the white paper, and colors are made lighter by controlling the amount of water. It is a painstaking process that requires conscious planning, but results in a bright freshness in the colors that is unique compared to other painting methods. The decision not to use white paint sets my work apart, to some extent, but for me it is the perfect way to capture glass objects with their fascinating distortion and reflections, which is one of my favorite subjects. I also love the freshness of color it gives when painting florals from my garden or portraits of children caught in unposed moments, my other primary subjects.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I am not overly influenced by resources such as apps, podcasts or books, although I sometimes peruse Instagram to see what other artists are doing. I have been strongly affected by my association with professional organizations and workshops. The Tennessee Watercolor Society and the Nashville Artist Guild are two such groups that have afforded me the opportunity to learn from and interact with other artists, as well as providing exhibition opportunities. High quality workshops at the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, or those taught by visiting jurors, have been invaluable in building knowledge and technique, and have expanded my horizons as an artist.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bbullardfineart.com
- Instagram: barbara.b.bullard
