Lucy Barber

A small plein-air study of summer wildflowers painted in mid-August, capturing the layered plants, movement, and atmosphere of a favorite place. This intimate 6” × 4” work has me considering a larger version of the composition.

Swamp Narrowleaf Sunflowers Charcoal on paper, 22.5” x 30”, 2024 This drawing is a study for a painting-in-progress, and one I especially enjoyed making. The subject — a stand of narrowleaf sunflowers in the light of an overcast day — drew me in with its layered density and rhythm. Initially created as a drawing-on-its-own as a study for a potential painting, it is now reference for a larger painted work. The drawing feels complete on its own, holding a character that I hadn’t anticipated at...

I’m excited to share my newly updated website. It’s a place where you can easily see new work, discover small paintings available for purchase, read recent blog posts, and learn more about mentoring and courses. All updates will come to you through my new newsletter,  The Raven Paints . The newsletter title comes from my 2002 still-life painting  Raven . In the painting, the bird extends a brush filled with paint, a gesture that reflects the bridges I seek between observation and deeper...