Barbara Solberg formerly lived in Salina for many years where she was the Exhibition Designer/Registrar for the Salina Art Center and also operated a studio, The Upstairs Gallery, with two other artists in downtown Salina. She now lives in Lawrence, Kansas with her husband, Tom Schmiedeler, where she works and teaches art classes in her studio. She also works for KU Continuing Education.  To see more of her work visit her website, at http://www.bsolbergart.com

Artist’s Statement

An artist from the very beginning, I have created art for most of my life. Even before attaining my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from The University of Kansas, I participated in numerous art classes and professional workshops. I lived in England for three years during my early twenties which was an inspiring and educational experience for me in many ways. It was there that I first became interested in ancient civilizations — a pursuit that continues to influence my work to this day.

As a painter for many years, I have worked in a variety of media including pastel, acrylic and oil, as well as printmaking processes like lithography and monoprinting. Recently, I have been combining these techniques in the form of collage using found objects such as wood, stones, bones and shells that may be affixed to a painted background or to a piece of handmade paper. Attaching objects to the paper with linen cord serves a practical purpose, and at the same time, the exposed hand-stitching becomes a design element and adds a desirable texture to the piece.

The initial inspiration for my art is place, whether well-known or new. I am fascinated with ancient cultures and I have visited many important Native American sites in the Southwest and the Midwest. I always explore the history of each place, and images and meanings of the visit soon appear in my work upon returning to the studio.

A new direction in my work is evolving into unique 3-dimensional collages on canvas.  In works like Earth Mother, both the front and the reverse are equally important. A hole is cut through both sides and a piece of mica inserted to create the transparent yet reflective shape. It may be viewed from either side since it is framed in a free-standing oak frame designed to sit on a table, not to be hanged on the wall.