Member Biography

ARTIST STATEMENT

"My art career began as a fashion illustrator; then a twenty-year hiatus from art followed. When I started making art again, it was through colored pencil - an approachable medium that gave me the opportunity to renew my rendering skills and to become acquainted with color. I worked exclusively and contentedly in colored pencil for more than a dozen years concentrating on teaching and creating still life paintings.

A change of medium and of subjects has led me to pastel landscape paintings. Each day brings new challenges in my work and revelations in reading about art. I like this excerpt from Dan McCaw’s book, 'A Proven Strategy for Creating Great Art:'

'Mastering the essential tool of rendering is somewhat like learning to drive a car. The whole purpose of learning to drive a car isn’t about the car; it’s about going on a journey. And so it is with art. Once you’ve learned the basic fundamentals, you can do more than just keep the car on the road – you can go on an adventure.'

I love the adventure I am on."

BACKGROUND

Barbara Benedetti Newton is a native of the Pacific Northwest, currently living and working in Renton, WA. She has had a variety of previous careers: hairdresser, fashion illustrator, Master Scheduler in manufacturing, Buyer for K2 Skis, technical illustrator. She raised sheep, spun wool and grew cut-flowers on the Vashon Island, WA family farm where her two children were raised.

Barbara is co-author of Colored Pencil Solution Book and has authored articles in American Artist Magazine, The Artist's Magazine and International Artist Magazine. Her work has appeared in all editions of the Best of Colored Pencil series. Barbara is past president of the Colored Pencil Society of America and a Signature Member of Northwest Pastel Society, Northwest Watercolor Society and Women Painters of Washington.

• Northwest Color III, Washington State Convention and Trade Center, Seattle, WA (Award)
• WPW 2002 Member Show, Burien, WA (Award)
• Northwest Pastel Society Juried Show, Renton, WA
• Primary Colors, WPW, Issaquah Gallery, WA (Award)

2001 - 1992

• WPW Member Show, Port Orchard, WA (Award)
• Celebrating Women in the Arts, Frye Art Museum, Seattle, WA
• Eastside Association of Fine Art 25th Annual Exhibition, Issaquah, WA (Award)
• Northwest Color III, Washington State Convention and Trade Center, Seattle, WA (Award)
• Contemporary Women Painters of Washington, Frye Art Museum, Seattle, WA 
• Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club 102nd Annual Juried Exhibit, New York, NY 
• 25th Annual Sidney Gallery Show, Port Orchard, WA (Award)
• Solo Exhibit - PACCAR Inc., Bellevue, WA
• Solo Exhibit - Auburn Arts Commission Visual Arts Exhibition, WA
• Western Washington State Fair Art Show (Awards)

GALLERY REPRESENTATION

• Jeffrey Moose Gallery, Seattle, WA
• State of the Arts Gallery, Olympia, WA
• Sidney Gallery, Port Orchard, WA
• Attic Gallery, Portland, OR

Click here for SHOWS AND NEW PAINTINGS

Artist Website at www.barbaranewton.net

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