Barbara Hack’s work is an ongoing reflection on people and their emotions. Working predominantly in painting mediums, Barbara relishes the challenge of realistic portraiture, and her subject matter reflects her love for figurative work. But she pushes beyond realism, as well, in her desire to capture resonant moments in time.
Her work pursues figures from the past with their moods and their contexts. Ephemeral figures are momentary presences that are nonetheless powerful enough to make lasting, even shaping, impressions. Barbara attempts to understand these figures and their ephemerality and to share that understanding with others.
Barbara received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in drawing and painting after intensive study in Europe and additional training in New York. Since then, she has continued to harness her artistic talents to drive her professional career.
Work in portraiture, fashion illustration, and as a courtroom artist have all allowed Barbara to challenge herself with alternative contexts for figurative artistry, and in a variety of mediums, including graphite, pastels, prismacolor and oils. Barbara teaches fine art classes to teens and adults. Her love of art and her desire to create quality art for herself is a wonderful influence on her students.
Barbara Hack always held a great passion for the figure and, therefore, has always involved it in her work. An ongoing reflection on people and their emotions, Barbara’s subject matter reflects her love for figurative work and the challenge of that accompanies realistic portraiture. Working predominantly in painting mediums, she aims, however, to push beyond realism and capture resonant moments in time. Her paintings pursue figures from her world, showing both their moods and contexts. While seemingly simple momentary presences, ephemeral figures still have the ability to make lasting, even shaping, impressions. Through her work, Barbara strives to understand these figures and their ephemerality and to share that understanding with others.
Source: artsy.net
Education
- BFA Painting and Drawing, Aquinas College
- Summer Providence-in-Europe Program
- FIT Winter Program, Fashion Illustration
Additional training
- Master Class with David Kassan
- Master Class with Tina Garrett
- Workshop with Michael Mentler
- Workshop with Karen Offutt
- Workshop with Michael O’keefe
- Workshop with Bonny Leibowitz
- Workshop with Jay Bailey
- Workshop with Mitsuno Reedy
Memberships
- Portrait Society of America
- Oil Painters of America
- National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society
Exhibits
- National Oil & Acrylic Painters Online Spring Show | 2020
- International Guild of Realism Online Show | 2020
- Chandor Gardens PSOA Portrait Exhibition | 2019
- Rehs Gallery- I Observe Show | March 2019
- Biennial Portrait Competition – Wausau Museum of Contemporary Art | 2019
- American Woman Artists 2019 Spring Online Show – Award of Merit
- Allied Artists Show- Salmagundi Club | 2019
- Wausau Contemporary Museum of Art – Painting the Figure Now Exhibition | 2019
- Art Renewal Center finalist – two paintings | 2019
- National Oil & Acrylic Painters Spring Show | 2018
- National Oil & Acrylic Painters International Online Show | 2018
- Wausau Contemporary Museum of Art – Painting the Figure Now Exhibition | 2018
- Annual National Juried Exhibition – Wausau Museum of Contemporary Art | 2018
- Texas Portrait Society of America Show – Breckinridge Fine Arts Center | 2018
- National Oil & Acrylic Painters Best of America Show- Eiselle Gallery | 2018
- Aquinas College Wege Center – Grand Rapids, MI
- Gallery 28 Solo Exhibit – Grand Rapids, MI
- Gallery 154 Solo Exhibit – Grand Rapids, MI
- Festival of the Arts – Grand Rapids, MI
- 50 Penn Place – Oklahoma City, OK
- Best of the Best Show – Oklahoma City, OK
- Edmond Art Association Exhibit – Edmond, OK
- Framemaster Gallery Duo exhibition – Edmond, OK
- Cross Timbers Art Gallery – Highland Village, TX
- Lewisville Art Guild – Lewisville, TX
- Fort Worth Community Arts Center – Fort Worth, TX
- Hull Art Academy – Portrait Society of America Face Off | October 2017
- Irving Arts Center Regional Show 2017 – First Place Oil Painting
- The Lore Degenstein Gallery of Susquehanna University: Ninth Annual National Figurative Drawing and Painting Competition and Exhibition – 2017
- Finalist in Portrait Society of America | 2017
- Arthouse- Flower Mound, TX
Collections
- University of Oklahoma
- Private Collection, Edmond, OK
- Private Collection, Oklahoma City, OK
- Private Collection, Grand Rapids, MI
- Private Collection, Washington, D.C.
- Private Collection, Newaygo, MI
- Private Collection, Flower Mound, TX
- Private Collection, Dallas, TX
- Private Collection, Park City, UT
- Private Collection, Kansas City, KS
- Baylor University Scholarship Donor Portraits
View Barbara Hack Paintings
Artist Barbara Hack
Barbara Hack is an American artist and painter who earned a Finalist Place in the 3rd Edition of the Boynes Emerging Artist Award.
Can you tell us about your artistic journey so far?
From courtroom artist to fashion illustrator and everything in between, I have always held a great passion for the figure. Three years ago, I made the decision to pursue this love for painting full time. An ongoing reflection on people and their emotions, my subject matter reflects my love for figurative work and the challenge of realistic portraiture. Working predominantly in painting mediums, I aim to push beyond realism and capture resonant moments in time. The paintings pursue figures from the pasts, showing both their moods and contexts. While seemingly simple momentary presences, ephemeral figures, nonetheless, still have the ability to make lasting, even shaping, impressions. Through my work, I strive to understand these figures and their ephemerality and to share that understanding with others.
What inspired you to begin creating art?
I don’t think anything any one thing acted as an inspiration to start creating. Art just always stayed with me. My earliest memories revolve around drawing, and my family always encouraged me. In school, I drew anytime that I could, whether I had a sketchbook or the margins of my notebooks in class… I just constantly put something on paper.
What inspires you to create work now?
I focus on figurative work because I want to tell people’s stories. The majority of my inspiration comes from things or people that I see, and a voice in my head tells me that I need to paint that subject. It can come during a ride on the subway, in a hotel lobby, or from the people around me. Sometimes, the reason that I paint that particular subject or the meaning of the painting does not come out until I have begun the process of painting. I like to tell a story with my work. Sometimes, the painting shows the person’s story, and other times, it shows my own story. Quite often when I paint someone else’s image and show their narrative, I learn a lot about myself.
What mediums do you work in and experiment with?
For the most part, I work in oil. My drawings include work done in charcoal, pan pastel, and graphite. I oscillate between a loose and tight style, so I constantly experiment with new things and try not to follow one distinct pattern all the time.
Are there any particular brands of art supplies that you prefer using? Is so, why?
I use a variety of paints, but some of my favorite brands include Michael Harding, Vasari, and Rublev because of their texture. Those paints have a soft, buttery consistency that works very well for me. I also have an assortment of brushes; however, I most prefer to use Rosemary, Princeton, Isabey, and Silver because they not only hold up well, but they perfectly translate each stroke. For drawing supplies, I work mostly with General’s charcoal and pencils and Pan Pastel soft pastels. I generally use Canson Mi Teintes and Strathmore products for paper.
Do you have any particular ways that you work through a creative artist block?
No… I wish I did though! Sometimes, I just have to accept that block as a time to regroup. I have found it best to treat it as necessary downtime.
Can you give any piece of advice to your fellow artists on what you have learned while you practiced your craft?
While practicing my craft as a full time artist, I have learned that no one can teach you discipline or how to remain disciplined in your work. Despite that fact, you can learn it. Every day, you have to wake up, approach your art, and practice. Painting and drawing anything, not necessarily always for a finish piece, have to function as a piece of your daily routine. Progress only amounts from practice.
How do you manage the need for perfection within your work?
Perfection does not exist… only progress. Nothing perfect will ever come about. When painting, I strive to complete my best work that I can at that moment in time; all the same, I have to know and remember that my options do not include perfection. Ever. I simply try to do my absolute best and keep progressing with each painting or drawing that I complete.
How do you process/come to terms with and even use other people’s opinion of your work?
With any critique of my work, I take what I can from the opinion. I will take a deep look the work and the thoughts to see if I agree or disagree. I always remain open to suggestions and constructive critiques, but I know that, in the long run, I still need to feel happy and proud of the work that I have done.
Is there an artist/s who inspires you creatively?
Without a doubt, John Singer Sargent, Helen Frankenthaler, and Alberto Giacometti have influenced my work. In addition, so many of my contemporary artists continue to inspire me daily that it seems impossible to name them all. For me, having so many wonderful artists and artwork to see and follow marks the best part of social media these days.
Jan 28 Written By Chantal Boynes. Source: boynesartistaward.com
To view more of Barbara Hack’s work
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Artsy | Barbara Hack Website
“Offering of Strength was inspired by the idea of strength during hardship and adversity. The subject holds ginkgo leaves, which have been a symbol of strength for hundreds of years. She represents all women—regardless of status, race or background—and the way they carry themselves with dignity as they deal with struggles throughout their lives.” –Barbara Hack
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