Florida Artists Group

 Barbara's Bio:

Born in upstate New York, Barbara moved to Florida with her family in 1968. Her painting has evolved from realistic oils to her present media using acrylic on linen as well as collage constructions.

She received a B.S. degree from the Florida State University in 1975.  In 1982 she began studying with numerous teachers including Roseann Gandy Samuelson, a Ringling School of Art and Design graduate, and her husband, Fred Samuelson, who taught the Masters program at Instituto Allende-San Miguel de Allende GTO, Mexico

Recently, Barbara was accepted into the following juried fine art shows: FL Museum Biennial, Deland, FL, Red Clay Survey 2007, Huntsville, AL, Fifth Avenue Gallery 2006, Melbourne, FL, Lo Pressionism Gallery - Invitational 2006, Melbourne, FL, Black Dog Gallery Invitational 2006 Cocoa FL, Lake Wales Juried National Show 2005, Henegar Center Vision Juried Show 2008, Melbourne FL.

Barbara has participated in an Invitational show in 1998 through 2001at Temple Beth El in St. Petersburg Florida.  She has had  two person shows at the Harris House in New Smyrna Florida, Black Dog Gallery in Cocoa, FL, Daytona Beach Art Center, Daytona FL and  Lo Pressionism Gallery in Melbourne FL.. In September 2001 she won best of show in Eustis, Florida juried fine art show. She was selected for the juried Deland Museum of Art show in September 2001. In 2007, Barbara won the Bronze Award at the Henegar Center for the Arts juried show in Melbourne, FL.

Artist Statement:

My work reflects my love of nature.  I offer a mysterious quality in the compositions, which encompass much thought prior to painting. My current series consists of abstractions from organic elements found in nature including bones, water, sand and tree roots. The viewer is invited to bring their personal experiences to the work for their own interpretation and contemplation.

Collections and Exhibitions:

1999      Gulf Coast Art Center in St. Petersburg, FL
1998      Central Florida Community College in Ocala, FL
1997      Vero Beach Art Museum,Vero Beach, FL
1997      Lake Wales Art Center, Lake Wales, FL
1997      St. Vincent’s Hospital in Jacksonville, FL
1996      Maitland Art Center, Maitland, FL
1996      Radisson Hotel, Port Canaveral, FL

Barbara has work in numerous private collections throughout Florida and is currently represented by the Raven Blues Gallery in Poulsbo, WA.  Barbara has also exhibited in four Brevard County galleries and worked as an artist in residence in the Brevard County School System in addition to teaching at risk youth and disabled adults in various art media.

After working for Pan American World Services as a planner/scheduler for 13 years, Barbara resigned to devote full time to painting.  She now resides in Cocoa, Florida with her husband, Mike Wheeler and daughter, Caitlin.