.."My work reflects my love of nature. I offer a mysterious quality in the compositions, which encompass much thought prior to painting. In some pieces I use birds as a metaphor for the mother-daughter relationship. The paintings leave room for the viewers to bring their personal experiences to the work for their own interpretations and enjoyment. A mystical feeling is strived for while combining elements found in nature."

Born in upstate New York, Barbara moved to Florida with her family in 1968. Her painting has evolved from realistic oils to her present media using acrylic on linen as well as collage constructions.

She received a B.S. degree from the Florida State University in 1975. In 1982 she began studying with numerous teachers including Roseann Gandy Samuelson, a Ringling School of Art and Design graduate, and her husband, Fred Samuelson, who taught the Masters program at Instituto Allende-San Miguel de Allende GTO, Mexico

 

Moonscape

Recently, Barbara was accepted into the following juried fine art shows:FL Museum Biennial, Deland, FL, Red Clay Survey 2007, Huntsville, AL, Fifth Avenue Gallery 2006, Melbourne, FL, Lo Pressionism Gallery - Invitational 2006, Melbourne, FL, Black Dog Gallery Invitational 2006 Cocoa FL, Lake Wales Juried National Show 2005, Henegar Center Vision Juried Show2008, Melbourne FL.

 

Journey...................................Sojourn

 

Barbara has participated in an Invitational show in 1998 through 2001at Temple Beth El in St. Petersburg Florida. She has had two person shows at the Harris House in New Smyrna Florida, Black Dog Gallery in Cocoa, FL, Daytona Beach Art Center, Daytona FL and Lo Pressionism Gallery in Melbourne FL.. In September 2001 she won best of show in Eustis, Florida juried fine art show. She was selected for the juried Deland Museum of Art show in September 2001. In 2007,Barbara won the BronzeAward at the Henegar Center for the Arts juried show in Melbourne, FL.

 

Pairs of Pears...................................Cezanne Collage

 

Her work is in the permanent collections in the following public locations:

1999 Gulf Coast Art Center in St. Petersburg, FL
1998 Central Florida Community College in Ocala FL
1997 Vero Beach Art Museum,Vero Beach, FL
1997 Lake Wales Art Center, Lake Wales, FL
1997 St. Vincent’s Hospital in Jacksonville, FL
1996 Maitland Art Center, Maitland FL
1996 Radisson Hotel, Port Canaveral FL

 

Rockscape

Barbara has work is in numerous private collections throughout Florida and is currently represented by the Raven Blues Gallelry in Poulsbo,Wa. Barbara has also exhibited in four Brevard County galleries and worked as an artist in residence in the Brevard County School System in addition to teaching at risk youth and disabled adults in various art media.

 

Remains of the Fall #2

After working for Pan American World Services as a planner/scheduler for 13 years, Barbara resigned to devote full time to painting. She now resides in Cocoa, Florida with her husband Mike Wheeler and daughter, Caitlin.

Education:
A.A. Degree Brevard Community College, Cocoa Fl.
B.S. Degree, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Fl.

Awards and Shows:
2009 Brevard Art Museum “Take Out” Show, Melbourne, FL
2009 Ridge Art Juried Show, Winter Springs, FL
2007 Red Clay Survey, Huntsville AL – Juried Show
2007 Melbourne, FL, Bronze Award, Visions Juried Show
2006 LoPressionism Gallery, Melbourne, FL – Invitational Show
2006 Black Dog Art Gallery, Cocoa, FL – Invitational Show
2005 Daytona Beach, FL “Interpretations” Three Person Invitational Daytona Beach Art League
2005 Lake Wales, Fl, Best of Show-National Invitational -“Open and Shut” Lake Wales Arts Center
2005 Melbourne, FL, Gold Award “Visions 2005” Show-Henegar Center Juried Indoor Show
2004 Artescape Naples, Gallery Victoria, Naples
2004 Cornell Museum All Florida Art Exhibition, Delray Beach, Merit Award
2003 Visions 2003, Henegar Art Center Juried Show, Melbourne
2003 Florida Biennial Deland Museum of Art
2003 Brevard Museum of Arts & Sciences, Group Show
2002 Lake Wales, FL, Award of Distinction
2002 New Smyrna, FL, Merit Award
2001 Eustis FL, Best of Show Eusti
2001 Deland Museum of Art, Juried Competition
2001 Beaux Arts, Award of Excellence
2000 Cocoa Village, First Place
1999 Cocoa Village, Third Place
1999 Lake Wales, Merit Award
1998 Lake Mary, FL Merit Award
1998 Lakeland, FL Award of Excellence
1998 Ocala FL, Award of Honor
1998 Cocoa Village Florida, 1st place Watercolor
1998 Lake Wales Florida, Best of Category
1998 Tarpon Springs Florida, Judges Choice
1998 Melbourne Florida, Merit Award
1998 Boca Raton, Juried Museum Competition
1998 Halifax FL, Award of Distinction
1997 Deland Art Show – Merit Award
1997 Vero Beach Florida Competitive-Purchased for permanent collection
1997 Winter Park Autumn Art Show – Award of Honor
1997 Silver Medal Award (2nd place), Red River Watercolor Society National
1997 Melbourne Art Show, 2nd place, Watercolor
1997 New Smyrna Beach Art Show, Merit Award
1996 Space Coast Art Show, Cocoa Beach, 1st Place, Watercolor
1996 Maitland Museum, $1,000 Purchase Award
1996 Lake Mary at Heathrow Art Show, 3rd Place Watercolor
1996 Tri-State Watercolor Show, Tallahassee 2nd Place
1996 Images Art Show, New Smyrna Beach, Florida, Merit Award
1996 Tri-State Watercolor Show - Tallahassee - Second Place

Experience:
2003 Art Instructor-Crosswinds Youth Services – Instructed at-risk teenagers in various art media - ...ages 13-16. Very successful program. Temporary contract sponsored by Brevard Cultural Alliance.
2002-2003 Substitute teacher for Brevard County School Board – high school level.
1988 Artist in Residence- Fourth graders – sponsored by Brevard County School Board.
1976-1989 Planner/Scheduler- Pan Am World Service, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

Permanent Collections:
Gulf Coast Art Center, St. Petersburg, FL
1998Central Florida Community College, Ocala, FL
Vero Beach Art Museum, Vero Beach, FL
Lake Wales Art Center, Lake Wales, FL
St. Vincent’s Hospital, Jacksonville, FL
Radison Resort Hotel, Cape Canaveral, FL