Today we’d like to introduce you to Barbara Jarman.
Hi Barbara, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I graduated from college with a degree in Occupational Therapy and worked several years in the mental health field before deciding that art was my passion! I started painting in 1988. I put together a portfolio and was fortunate enough to focus initially on an area of the design world that I felt would work well for me – the model home industry. I lived in an area of California at that time that had many large interior design groups that did projects all over the country. I painted full time and sold originals for models and quickly branched out to include commercial business installations as well – banks, offices, hotels, large condominium complexes, and department stores. For a number of years I had a sales rep who sold out of state for me, which enabled me to have a larger reach. Through her I got my biggest job, 53 Macy’s department stores in the northeast part of the country. I painted full time for 19 years and during one of the downturns in the home building industry I decided that it was time to move on from full time painting. For the next 11 years or so, I made and sold one of a kind wearable art jewelry created with polymer clay and enameling. In 2018 I was asked to paint something for a friend and realized how much I missed having my hands in paint. I’ve been painting again ever since. I typically paint every day, even if it’s just for a brief amount of time. I truly feel an intrinsic pull to create.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Because I sold much of my work to the model home industry, I was subject to the ebb and flow of the home building industry. There were great years and there were slower years. I had no control over it! Luckily, I was very busy most of the time but I often had to work long hours to get a job out all on my own. I think working alone was one of the hardest things for me because I am a social being and it was a solitary endeavor. I worked out of my 3 car garage. When I had my largest job, Macys, I also had a couple of condo projects and model home projects going at the same time. That was the one time I had help. I could not have put out that much work in such a short amount of time without some wonderful people supporting me.
Now my biggest struggle is reaching people on social media. I am absolutely NOT a tec person. In earlier years I sold my work by taking 9 portfolios of art into design companies. I had great relationships with the designers. I miss that, but the industry has changed and things are done differently now. I am also older now and probably couldn’t carry that much art around anyway. Prints are used a lot more than they used to be and originals are often too expensive for a model/commercial job.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
During my 19 years as a full time painter, I created art for a specific purpose. I worked with color palettes that were “current”. I considered where the art would go and the design styles I knew were being used on the job. I approached this as a business. I did not paint the colors I love, the styles I love. When I came back to painting in 2018, I created just for me. I am at a point in my life where I just paint what I love. I create contemporary abstract acrylic paintings on paper and canvas. I use bold and vibrant colors. I love pinks!! My work has happy energy. I am fearless in my art and I hope my work conveys to others a positivity, an uplifting spirit and good energy. For me, painting is exhilarating and meditative. It lifts me up and calms me down. I love the successes and I learn from the failures. There is often magic in the happy accidents that lead to a new technique. It’s been a 36 year journey so far and I see it as a lifelong, joyful obsession.
What were you like growing up?
I was a happy and outgoing person growing up. I loved creating things: painting, clay, beading. I was active and busy with friends. Life was good!
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.barbarajarman.com
- Instagram: @barbarajarmanart
Image Credits
The 4 pink images in the second row were taken by Evo Digital.
