Please join the Jasper Project as we welcome Barbie Mathis to First Thursday at Sound Bites Eatery on Thursday, November 2nd!
Barbie Mathis, a native of Columbia, SC, has been working as a professional artist since 1980. Over the years, she has evolved as an illustrator, designer and painter working in various media with her main emphasis being Watermedia (Acrylic and Watercolor) painting. Barbie’s primary focus has been on realistic florals and landscapes immersed in layers of colorful glazes, dramatic lighting and rich, natural backgrounds. She has also created her own artistic renditions of people and animals. Most recently, Mathis has been experimenting with a variety of realistic, abstracted and mixed-media styles in Acrylic Paint.
Mathis studied Fashion Design and Illustration at Bauder Fashion College in Atlanta, GA. She has since worked in advertising, graphic design and mat design for various newspapers, printing companies and art galleries. She has been published by Bentley House Publishing and currently self-publishes a limited number of fine art prints. Barbie was awarded her Signature Membership in the South Carolina Watermedia Society in 2006. She has exhibited and won awards in numerous shows, and her work is in both public and private collections around the country. Barbie was an adjunct instructor at Midlands Technical College for 9 years. And, she currently teaches painting at City Art Gallery in Columbia, SC. She also teaches private classes and workshops for individuals and art leagues in South Carolina and throughout the Southeast. Her work and contact information may be found on FB: Barbie Mathis Studio or IG: @BarbieMathisArt
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Artist Statement:
“The Great Experiment,” a show of small, experimental Acrylic paintings by Barbie Mathis
My word for 2023 has been Experiment. Exploring Acrylic paint, and painting some of the many looks and styles that it can achieve has been my “Great Experiment”. This show represents a variety of ways that I have used Acrylic paint to look like Watercolors, Oils, Acrylics and Mixed-Media in all of its thick and thin, realistic to abstracted styles. I have also explored both hard and soft details and patterns in nature, shapes and artificial textures. It is my hope that the viewer will find pleasure in the differences.