Barbara Archer-Baldwin [NRA 2020-2022]
First name: Barbara ;
Middle name: ;
Last name: Archer-Baldwin ;
Member: Non-resident artist member ;
Begin: 2020 ;
End: 2022 ;
Biography:
Originally from Swarthmore, PA, Barbara is now, since 2000, a full-time resident of Venice, FL. It’s been quite a journey.
Barbara received her fine arts education (1959-1965) at Rhode Island School of Design, Philadelphia College of Art (now Univ. of the Arts) and Temple University’s Tyler School of Fine Arts. After taking time off to raise her two beloved children, she returned to the art world. She has worked as a professional artist for over 45 years, taught both visual arts (drawing and acrylic painting) and various decorative arts including needlework, faux finishes, polymer clay sculpture and jewelry. She has also worked as an antique furniture restorer specializing in marquetry, and as a luthier of banjos for 12 years, doing the pearl inlay, and wood carving on the instruments.
Her pen and ink drawings have been published in several periodicals, she has illustrated two published books, and has artwork in many private collections.
When, in the 1990’s, it was becoming apparent that she would eventually lose the use of her legs, she searched for a way to continue making a living as an artist. She discovered a niche for miniature paintings in the doll house market. It was a perfect fit, as their shows were all on the ground floors of hotels, making for easy wheel chair access. As miniatures are easier to move around and work with than the large paintings she’d previously done, it seemed like a good idea to switch to this art form.
For many years the cause of her disability, excruciating pain and other symptoms, had eluded at least eleven doctors, some in major medical institutions. Ultimately, in March of 2000, suffering what she thought was kidney failure, she was taken to the emergency room. She was ultimately diagnosed with a large slow-growing tumor inside the sheath of her spinal cord, inside the spine. Given the choice of 100% probability of imminent severance of the cord by the tumor, or 30% chance that surgery would NOT sever it, she, naturally, had it removed. After intense physical therapy, she danced (albeit briefly!) at her son’s wedding 4 months later!
In 2001, she was given the chance to move to Venice, Florida, to manage her uncle’s condo. This was the start of a whole new life! A few years later she and her new husband John Baldwin met, online, and began an amazing journey together. They have the same artistic vision, (he is an award-winning photographer), have published two books about their art, and created, among other things, a tropical paradise in their lakeside garden, complete with lily ponds, orchid arbor, rose garden, even a dock and a boat for their sunset sails. They have had 3 two-person shows at the invitation of local galleries, just in the last 2 years.
It’s now been almost 20 years since her move to Florida, and, while she is still enjoys the art of miniature painting, she has re-discovered the medium of Soft Pastels, which have become her passion. Through this medium, she has found her voice as an artist. It has enabled her to truly celebrate her joy in the beauty of nature, as well as expanding her expertise in the art of the portrait. She has developed a loyal following of clients, as well as avid students for her weekly Pastel Painting classes at the North Port Art Center, where she has been teaching for @10 years. She has also taught Pastels at the Venice Art Center, as well as the Englewood Art Center/Ringling campus.
She has written and published a book “Pastel Painting Lessons”, and has developed a Signature set of 30 Fundamentals Pastels with the Terry Ludwig Company, Littleton, Colorado, the most highly sought-after professional pastels.
She has been juried into the Salmagundi Club, NYC , the country’s oldest and most respected Art Club, achieved Signature status in the very prestigious Pastel Society of America, and Memberships in Pastel Society of Tampa Bay, Pastel Society of the West Coast (California), Colorado Pastel Society.
Two years ago she and her husband, who has been learning to paint too, formed the Left Coast Pastel Painters Society, in Venice. This is an official affiliate society of the International Association of Pastel Societies, and, as such, they have seasonal monthly meetings and an annual nationally judged Pastel Show.
https://www.barbaraarcherbaldwin.com
Artworks:
Exhibitions:
Related documents:
Document information
Document permalink:
http://salmagundi.org/artist/?p=79130
Digital-born document number:
SAL.2020.79130
Record birth date:
January 1, 2020
Last updated: February 18, 2023 at 13:19 pm