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Barbara McCleary • Profile
The space between the flowers and blades of grass are just as important to Barbara McCleary as the petals themselves. The shadows behind the leaves, a glimpse of sun on a stucco wall, the doorways that lead to an open vista, all contribute to the depth of her paintings. Fearless, bold and colorful brushstrokes are accurate, yet freely interpret the light in an impressionistic manor. Her paintings are timeless, and allow the viewer to move through their spaces endlessly, and as the viewer we want to return. This richness in her paintings makes fruit seemingly edible and flowers fragrant. McCleary often surrounds herself in the fullness of nature when painting. This technique, known as plein air, allows her to experience her subject matter with all her senses, bringing them to her hand and then directly to the canvas. The result is water that reflects with a brilliant shine, and a crispness that can almost define the temperature of the air.
Barbara McCleary has made an important impact on viewers and critics alike. Her paintings have been acclaimed from coast to coast and are gaining international acknowledgment. Trained as a Scientific Illustrator, McCleary sought the details of nature in form and function. However, this matter-of-fact technique doesn't allow the expression of beauty McCleary finds in the landscape. In 1995, McCleary began painting and discovered a release of expression and artistic freedom which now ranges from lively caf� scenes to places of quiet solitude.
McCleary's paintings clearly demonstrate respect for nature and all of its beauty, and one cannot walk away from her paintings without feeling that we are part of it.
"...I like to think of my paintings as bringing my viewer along with me as I happen upon ordinary settings and discover their extraordinary beauty."
Whether we are strolling down a city sidewalk or in a country garden, McCleary's paintings help us see through the eyes of a painter, allowing us to discover the wonders of life that we may not have seen without the guidance of her canvas.
Barbara McCleary • Statement
As a student of science and nature, animal activist, photographer, and avid gardener, my paintings revolve mainly around garden and landscape subjects found in the Michigan area. I work in oil because of its creamy texture and flexible character. My work offers an impressionist's involvement with light and color along with a touch of fantasy. Most evident in my paintings are quick, relaxed brush strokes with clear, fresh, vibrant colors revealing the play of early morning or late afternoon light on natural settings. I like to think of my paintings as bringing my viewer along with me as I happen upon ordinary settings and discover their extraordinary beauty.
Barbara McCleary • Biography
EDUCATION
Extensive study at The Society of Arts and Crafts, Detroit, Michigan
Bachelor of Arts, Michigan State University, Lansing, Michigan
Master of Arts, Michigan State University, Lansing, Michigan
Study with nationally known painters including, Ann Templeton, Elizabeth Tolley, Albert Handell and Kevin MacPherson
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2007
LaFontsee Galleries, "2007-b," Three-Person Exhibition, Grand Rapids, Michigan
2004
LaFontsee Galleries, "Outlook," Grand Rapids, Michigan
Nichols Gallery, Alla Prima International Invitational, Taos, New Mexico
LaFontsee Galleries, "Polished," Three-Person Exhibition, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Saper Galleries, Featured Artist, East Lansing, Michigan
2003
LaFontsee Galleries, "Holiday Muse," Grand Rapids, Michigan
Shriver Gallery, Alla Prima International Invitational, Taos, New Mexico
Saper Galleries, Featured Artist, East Lansing, Michigan
Hilton Head Art League, National Juried Exhibition, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
2002
Oil Painters of America Eleventh Annual National Juried Competition
2001
Oil Painters of America Tenth Annual National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils, Zantman Art Galleries, Palm Desert, California
One-Woman Show, University of Michigan Hospitals, Ann Arbor, Michigan
2000
National Juried Exhibition, Hilton Head Art League, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
New Orleans Art Association Twentieth National Juried Art Exhibition, The Bryant Gallery, New Orleans, Louisiana
One-Woman Show, University of Michigan Hospitals, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Mini-Show, Saper Galleries, East Lansing, Michigan
1999
Seventy-first Grand National Exhibition, American Artist's Professional League, New York, New York
"Dimensions 1999," 34th Annual National Juried Art Competition, Associated Artists of Winston-Salem, Inc., Milton Rhodes Galleries, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
National All Media Competition, Winter Haven, Florida
National Competition, National Society of Artists, Houston, Texas; received Fifth Place and Grumbacher Award
One-Woman Show, "Home Gallery Show"
One-Woman Show, River Walk Theater, Lansing, Michigan
National Juried Exhibition, Hilton Head Art League, Hilton Head, South Carolina
Okemos Library Annual Show, Okemos, Michigan; received Best of Show
Mother Lode National 29th Annual Art Show, Placerville, California
1998
National Society of Artists Competition, Houston, Texas; received Second Place
Lansing Woman's Show, Lansing, Michigan
Okemos Fine Arts and Crafts Tour, Okemos, Michigan
Two-Person Show, Shiawassee Arts Council, Shiawassee, Michigan
Shiawassee Arts Council Show, Shiawassee, Michigan; received Honorable Mention
Mid-Michigan Art Guild Competition, Owosso, Michigan; received First Place and Honorable Mention
"Wyo Art," Casper, Wyoming
Two-Woman Show, "Spirit of Expression," Foster Law Firm Library
Okemos Library Annual Show, Okemos Community Church, Okemos, Michigan
1997
Michigan All Media Competition, Lansing, Michigan
Tenth Annual National Juried Exhibition, Marbleton, Georgia
Full Gallery Show, University of Michigan Hospitals Gifts of Art Program, Ann Arbor, Michigan
"The Artist's Eye," Fifth Annual All Media Exhibition, Santa Ana, California
Okemos Fine Arts and Crafts Tour, Okemos, Michigan
Mid-Michigan Art Guild Show, Owosso, Michigan
Mid-Michigan Art Guild Show, Michigan State Library, Lansing, Michigan
1996
Holiday Art Market, Lansing Art Gallery, Lansing, Michigan
Michigan All Media Competition, Lansing, Michigan
HONORS AND AWARDS
1999
Fifth Place and Grumbacher Award, National Competition, National Society of Artists, Houston, Texas
Best of Show, Okemos Library Annual Show, Okemos, Michigan
1998
First Place and Honorable Mention, Mid-Michigan Art Guild Competition, Owosso, Michigan
Honorable Mention, Shiawassee Arts Council Show, Shiawassee, Michigan
Second place, National Society of Artists Competition, Houston, Texas
COMMISSIONS, COLLECTION AND PROJECTS
2002
Cowles House - President's Residence Michigan State University, Collection
2001
State Employee's Credit Union Corporate Commission
2000
Country Club of Lansing Commission
1999
Spartan/Bay Oil Corporate Commission
Michigan Retailers Corporate Commission
ASSOCIATIONS
Alla Prima International
Lansing Art Gallery, Lansing, Michigan
Lansing Arts Council, Lansing, Michigan
Mid-Michigan Art Guild
National Society of Artists
Oil Painters of America
Women in the Arts
