Biographical Info
As a Chicago-based artist, my creative journey has been enriched by the dynamic urban landscape surrounding me. Rooted in the traditions of the Drawing Workshop, once housed in the storied Tree Studios, and nurtured by the Palette and Chisel Academy of Art along with independent workshops and fellow artists, I continue to hone my skills, striving to capture the essence of the world around me.
My artistic endeavors find their expression in various forms, from plein air painting with the esteemed Plein Air Painters Chicago to exploring the urban landscape and its details with the Chicago Urban Sketchers. These collaborations have not only expanded my artistic horizons but have also deepened my connection with this city.
I'm equally at home working beneath the open sky or within the sanctuary of my studio. In my work, I enjoy the medium of oils, allowing me to capture the vivacity of a scene with an emphasis on the interplay of light and shadow. Additionally, I find solace and inspiration in the fluidity of watercolors, the precision of pens, and the tactile allure of cold wax, and I have recently been working with gouache.
I strive to capture the very energy that animates a scene. Through careful consideration of light/dark and contrast, as well as thoughtful composition, I endeavor to distill the essence of a moment onto the canvas, board, or paper. Whether painting the bucolic, the sometimes frenetic action of an urban street corner, or the possibly quiet serenity of an alleyway, each stroke becomes part of a much larger tapestry.
I aim to create a visual dialogue between the viewer and the painting. I aim to communicate an experience of standing at the intersection of art and reality and sharing a resonant connection. 
Barbara Kay Herring
