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A Bit About Me

Arty Genes

I came from a arty family, some were professionals, others created for their own enjoyment. All were very talented. From an early age, it was clear that I had inherited some of the family art genes. I’ve been a painter from my early teens & throughout most of my life.

Some years ago I was introduced to quilting & loved it. When I-became aware of art quilting, I found my home. The combination of the design elements I most loved in quilting with art opened new exciting choices and directions.

Barbara Harms Fiber Art & More

About Myself & My Approach I come from a family filled with many artists. I apparently inherited the family "art gene". Art has always played a role in my life, in one form or another. By my teens, I had narrowed my focus to painting. I'd won some ribbons in shows I'd entered. Encouraged, I decided I was going to become a serious painter. I joined the Las Vegas Artist's Guild, at 15 the youngest member at that time. I was totally out of my league, a kid among so many serious adults, professional artists. But to be there, hearing and being exposed to art in that way was quite an experience. I was enraptured, soaking up all the art I could absorb. I tried to go unnoticed, just a fly on the wall, mute, soaking it all up. I'm pretty sure I was noticed; a mute teenager, eyes opened wide and a large smile plastered across my face. That was the "glorious" beginnings of my life as an artist! I've continued to paint throughout my life. On occasion I've sold some of my work, but I had more important priorities then, one being raising my wonderful children. My circumstances have changed, the kids grown, some of them raising their own children. After a move to Oregon, some years ago, I was introduced to the world of quilting. The beautiful colors and the free motion quilting itself, drew me in. As much as I love quilting, I began to miss the creative freedom painting afforded. I became passionate about it. However to create a quilt there are some necessary steps that have to be followed, this obviously restricts some of the creative choices. I began to miss the creative freedom possible with painting. Since there are only so many hours in a day and I had other important things going on in my life, I had to focus my interests. When I discovered mixed media art quilting, it was a great fit. The combination of quilting techniques with painting and other art skills opened new creative directions to explore. I was home! It's the creative process that holds the greatest attraction for me. Starting with a tiny seed of an idea; vague and blurred around the edges, I follow where that leads. Then I follow where it leads. My approach is an instinctual one. Generally, I do little pre-planning. Creative choices are made as they present themselves, my choices response js an instinctual one aninstintual . on based on my gut feeling. This approach can lead to quite a few changes in the direction the quilt takes. The outcome can come as a surprise. I love that element of surprise! Sometimes everything just comes together & I think that this is one of my better ones. I can’t wait to show someone. I feel like a six year old, running home from school, a drawing in hand, excited to show Mom. At those times. I'm smiling like the Cheshire cat. Some magazines my work has ap Co peared in Word press Etsy shop-sales Https://barbaraharms.com Contact: inquiry Personal Links kool