About The Artist

Don Barnes was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he lived until age twelve. He has lived in Kansas City, Los Angeles, Dallas and Denver. The last is where he met his wife and has made his home since 1976.

Although he had always been artistic, Don didnt begin painting until 1993. His first show was a solo in 2005, which sold seven of fifteen paintings. Since that time his work has shown in galleries in Colorado, Texas and New Mexico. He has been juried into several national shows and has been invited three times to participate in the prestigous Nomadas del Arte’. In July of 2010, Don’s pieces Little Bend and Morning Meadow were selected to participate in the sixth Russian Night in Taos, at the Taos Art Museum.

His friendship with gallery owner Ernest Fuller allowed Don to study the works of Rob Moore, Hollis Williford, Julie Chapman, Debora Paris and other well known artists. Likewise, with the cooperation of David Cook Fine Art, he spent much time examining the works of the Broadmoor Academy artists – John F. Carlson, Sven Birger Sandzen, Peppino Mangravite, the Magafan Sistes, and others. He feels that the ability to draw from this broad knowledge offers unique possibilities for his art.

 Artists Statement

For me, it’s all about technique and experimentation. I love to try new ways of expressing what I see. Each painting comes with a new set of challenges. The excitement is in breaking them down and turning out something that communicates with someone else.

I love that.

Resume’

2010- Wyoming Plein Air (Jury)
Russian Night in Taos, Taos Art Museum (Jury)

2009 -    Nomadas del Arte’ – Southwest Gallery, Dallas (Invitation)
Plein Air Expanded – Republic Plaza, Denver (Jury)

2008 -    Nomadas del Arte’- Sage Creek Gallery, Taos (Invitation)
Winter Miniatures- Rob Foster Gallery, Denver (Jury)
Plein Air Artists Colorado Annual Exhibition – Abend Gallery, Denver (Jury)
Denver Plein Air Arts Festival – Golden Triangle Museum District, Denver (Jury)

2007 -    Solo show – Compass Bank, Denver (Invitation)
Denver Plein Air Arts Festival – Golden Triangle Museum District, Denver (Jury)
Plein Air Artists Colorado Annual Exhibition – Abend Gallery, Denver (Jury)

2006 -    Solo Show – Lone Tree Library, Lone Tree (Invitation)
Plein Air New Mexico Special Exhibition at Northwest New Mexico Visitor Center – Grants
Plein Air New Mexico Annual Show – The Mission Gallery, Grants

2005 -    Solo Show – Saxby’s, Denver