About the Artist

John BarnardJohn Barnard grew up in California where he got serious about art in the second grade. In high school an art teacher, Ruth Burdick, persuaded him to enroll in art classes. She saw to it that young Barnard went to museums, attended classical theatre productions, and was exposed to the works of master painters from Giotto to Van Gogh.

After high school Barnard studied at Chouinard Art Institute in Los Angeles, served in World War II in the Pacific, and then chose to go to college at the University of Georgia because of its fine art department. There he was quickly invited to attend the graduate art classes of Lamar Dodd who became a lasting influence on Barnard.

Upon graduation, Barnard moved to Mexico and later to Venezuela where in addition to painting he worked in the electrical industry. Though he rose to top management he always felt he worked only to support his painting. Finally, after 25 years, Barnard's wife Barbara persuaded him to quit. In 1973 they moved to Atascadero. In the beauty of California's Central Coast, Barnard became a prolific painter. Though his subject matter is chiefly local scenery, he gives his imagination free reign to conjure up cityscapes and market scenes pulled from other times and places in his life. He works mainly in watercolor but also in acrylic, casein and water soluble oils. Barnard's work is characterized by its energy and a boundless variety in style and approach. He finds in his world limitless inspiration to express himself differently everyday, and feels his work is evolving toward greater freedom of line and stronger color.

Artist's Statement

“There is so much to paint. I get up in the morning and can hardly wait to start. I am not a formula painter. I don't worry about style. I have fun. Painting is different from writing—writing is an intellectual thing. Painting for me is spontaneous. All that stuff is in there—I just let it flow out and don't worry about it.

For me watercolor is a happy, joyous medium. The colors are clean, transparent, flowing and bright. The paper is beautiful, so I let it show and sparkle. Too much detailed drawing can stifle the imagination. I want you to see the brush strokes—even the drips. I want you to know how I feel about the painting and to see the subject in a new and different way. It's not enough to be technically good; a painting has to have emotion in it.

Painting is an addiction. I paint every day. If I don't paint I go crazy. Art is important.”

Accomplishments

Barnard's work has been juried into many shows, is held in numerous institutional and private collections, and appears in several books on the art of watercolor.

Juried Shows and Awards

Museums, national and international exhibitions:

Signature Membership