Barbara Groenteman

NONA Gallery and Studio

2079 J&C Blvd, Sunshine Corporate Center, Naples Fl 34109

    I’m continually amazed with the medium of watercolor because there is a transparent glow that can be achieved and with the magic that happens when a wet brush touches the absorbent painting surface.

      My inspirations are from my tropical surroundings, but because I have always been an avid gardener tropical foliage is my passion. The process begins with visits too many gardens, my reference photography and on sight sketches. Color value sketches are developed which lead to enlarging the concept. The emphasis of my work is the graphic composition. My vibrant colors balance the drama of the light and shadows which is done in a realistic approach. I capture the sparkle and sunlight patterns by preserving the most important areas of the white paper; no masking is used during the painting process.

    The essence and technique of my style is the careful build-up of wet-in-wet layers of pigment. The pigments are sometimes just dropped in clear water washes, which allow the colors to mingle and dance on the paper. Selected areas of the paintings can have as many a 20 glazes of pigment so I can achieve that glow and vibrant color saturation.

.      Her palette is the highest grade of light fast transparent pigments executed on 300lb.archival mould-made Waterford paper from England. All framing procedures are done in a conservation manner to preserve the archival integrity of the original artwork or giclée. Limited edition giclées, which do not exceed 150, are printed with an 8-color printer on archival fine art paper and using pigmented inks that are tested light-fast for maximum print longevity. Her paintings hang in private collections in the U.S. and Europe.

       I enjoy sharing my passion for the medium and the techniques that are inherent to my style with my viewers.
     My journey as an artist continues to take me on paths where I continue to grow and blossom.
     Her work is collected internationally, in both private and corporate collections.  

Professional Memberships:

International Guild of Realism (Juried Acceptance into the Guild)

Florida Watercolor Society

Naples Art Association

Art League of Bonita Springs
United Arts Council of Collier County

Juried Group Exhibitions:
2002 Cornell Museum Delray Beach FL ”Inspiration 2002”  May exhibit
2002 Art League of Bonita Springs, FL  June Exhibit
2002 Art League of Bonita Springs, FL  August Exhibit
2002 von Liebig Museum, Naples FL “Identities and Autobiographies”  Oct Exhibit
2003 Naples Art Crafters Juried Festival  March, Award of Merit
2003 Artescape Exhibition, Gallery Victoria, Naples FL  April Exhibit
2003 Art League of Bonita Springs, FL  June Exhibit
2003 United Arts Council Exhibit at Economic Development Headquarters
2004 United Arts Council Exhibit at Twin Eagles Club, Naples Fl “The Art of Nature”
2005 Art League of Bonita Springs, FL  July Exhibit
2005 Florida Watercolor Society Annual Exhibition Leper-Radner Museum, Palm Harbor, FL
2006 von Liebig 45th Founders Exhibition, Naples Fl  (two accepted)
2007 2^nd Place in Watercolor at the 23^rd Melbourne National Art Festival, Fl
2008 Florida Watercolor Society Exhibition, Cornell Museum, Delray Beach FL
2008 1st Place Art League of Bonita Springs 2D/3D exhibition
2008 Award of Merit Art League of Bonita Springs 2D/3D exhibition

Solo Exhibition:
2004 “The Language of Light and Shadow” West Wing Gallery, Naples, Fl August

Gallery:
Abbacino Galleria, Venice Fl.