Years ago in the 60's, Ava got into
paint by number sets and enjoyed the idea of painting. Quickly she
realized this was something she could do without the number key and
began her career in painting with oils. Ava began taking classes at
Laguna Art Museum and studying the works of artists such as Kevin
McPhearson, Jay Moore and Katherine Stats. With a young family, her
painting opportunities were few. However Ava never stopped learning and
discovering new ideas and techniques for her oil painting.
A self-taught artist, Ava Barker has made
more time recently for expressing herself through her paintings. Her
fascination with plein air painting has made an impression on her works
of art. The loose expressionistic, paint what you see style, appeals to
Ava as she paints open space landscapes. She likes vibrant colors
and her subjects in natural light. Ava also enjoys painting Brahman
cattle.
In 1977 Ava, and her husband started
Brushy Creek Custom Sires. This Brahman cattle reproductive business
has allowed her to work with clients all over the world.
Surrounded by Brahman cattle for so many years, her ranch has been the
inspiration for much of her artwork.
And finally, the mountain scenes involving
a lot of space and depth appeal to Ava as do the bears that traipse
throughout them. The 1960's seem a long distance from where she has
travelled with a palette of oil paints, but the satisfaction of
painting has remained.
