"Oxnard Victorian"
Pen and Ink

"The Blue Boat"
Oil

Barbara Dolney's interest in color and design began at an early age sparked by her artistically creative mother. Color, especially, evokes an emotional appeal that has influenced her outlook on life. Light, color, mood and atmosphere all appeal to her inner self.

She began a minor in art at Northeast Missouri State College in Kirksville, Missouri, which was interrupted before completion by marriage and the birth of five children. As her children grew older, she again began her study of art in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. On her husband's transfer to the Washington area in the 70's, Barbara began to study with James E. Masters. Her artistic interests, however, soon turned to the fiber arts where in the next few years she won many ribbons, including three Best of Shows on her original applique quilt designs. She again began to paint and study seriously with Mr. Masters in the late 1980's. Several years of drawing and painting classes in oil with Mr. Masters and life and portraiture classes at the Minnesota River School of Fine Art in Burnsville, Minnesota, further enriched her artistic development. During this period Barbara was introduced to pastels. Workshops with Larry Blovits, Master Pastelist; Foster Caddell, Master Pastelist; Christine Coviello, PSA; and Jack Pardue, PSA; further increased her skills and technique in the application of pastel pigments.

Perhaps because of the family greenhouse business in Barbara's childhood and the summers spent surrounded by the rustic, ever-changing diversity of the Ozark hill country, an appreciation of the beauty of nature blends with a talent for bringing out the essence of the changes of the seasons. Her colorful and realistic landscapes of local scenes as well as those discovered in travels about the country bring an interpretation of nature which places the viewer on the scene. Barbara's ability to create a special mood with light and shadows and muted colors catches the imagination and has an emotional appeal.

Barbara is Past President of Prince George's Artists Association and Past Vice President of Laurel Art Guild both for a three-year period ending in 2003. She is a member of the Maryland Pastel Society as well as being a founding member of the Guild of Bowie Artists. She was recently elected as President of the Patuxent Art League. She has participated in juried and small group shows in the area and has won several awards, including Best of Show. Her paintings are currently hanging in private collections in seven states.

Copyright 2006    

Prince George's Artists Association

P.O. Box 2902, Landover Hills, MD 20784