Barbara was born in Blue Ridge, Georgia. Most of her childhood years were spent in the coal mining camps
of West Virginia and later in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where she attended Edmondson Business College. 
At an early age, Barbara had a desire to paint and create. In 1979, she was urged to share her talent with
others by opening a business where everyone could come together, learn and have fun in art. 
Over the past 34 years, the business known as The Village Art Studio, Inc. has grown into a hub
of art activity, attracting students from almost every state in the union.



 Barbara has studied art with a wide variety of nationally known artists.  Among them are famous portrait
artists Karen Patton and Mary Carole Larsen. She has also studied with Gary Jenkins, Fred Wetzel, Buck
Paulson, Dorothy Dent, Robert Warren and Dalhart and Mike Windberg.  The studio has been very
fortunate to host all of the above artists, as their schedules permits.  Gary Jenkins chose our studio
for his certification location for his bronze, silver and gold certification classes. Through this
association Barbara has developed her own style of painting and teaching.
She teaches portrait, still life, landscapes, seascapes, drawing and florals.

She is a certified Jenkins ArtTeacher (JCAT), a certified Dorothy Dent instructor,
and a Milton Lanoir Master Instructor in acrylics.

She is the Vice President of the Meriwether County Artist Guild and is a member of the Columbus Artist Guild.



The studio is located in the old Manchester Mill, which was established in 1908. 
At the studio, students enjoy spacious, well lighted and well ventilated classrooms.