Barbara Coleman

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My artistic education began informally during my childhood years spent in France. Our home nestled in the Fontainebleau Forest, just outside of Paris. Every weekend, my father would take me to the Louvre, the Jeu de Pomme Museum, or various other art venues in Paris. These experiences left an indelible impression on me. Living and traveling throughout Europe for three years sparked an insatiable curiosity within me, instilling a deep appreciation for art, architecture, culture, and languages. It was during this time that my desire to become an artist was born. At the age of twenty, I returned to France, specifically to Aix-en-Provence, to attend art school—a homecoming that felt destined. Upon my return to the United States, I pursued studies in art and architecture, ultimately earning a Master's Degree in Community and Regional Planning. I have since continued to expand my artistic horizons through dedicated painting studies with esteemed mentors such as Kevin Macpherson, Scott Christensen, Ray Roberts, Peggi Kroll Roberts, Jill Carver, John Poon, and Kathryn Stats. My paintings have shown nationally and internationally, winning awards in prestigious exhibitions.

I chose three careers in the wake of my passion for painting. My first career as a City Planner and Urban Designer was an endeavor close to my heart, as I strived to merge functionality with beauty. I transitioned into teaching design and drawing as a professor at the University of New Mexico School of Architecture and Planning—an opportunity that allowed me to share my knowledge and inspire budding artists and architects.

My third career witnessed me and my husband, Ross Coleman, owning an ecological restoration nursery and consulting business. Together, we dedicated ourselves to the restoration of rivers and wetlands across the western United States. Not only were these careers important to me, but also provided financial freedom to develop my creative process while continuously showing my paintings in galleries, museums and national exhibitions.

Presently, I reside in New Mexico with my husband, where we have lovingly raised three remarkable children. Parenthood is an art form and spiritual practice that has enriched both my life and my artistic endeavors in unimaginable ways. Witnessing the growth and achievements of my children—my eldest daughter is a lawyer and mother, my youngest daughter is a doctor, and our son is a physician's assistant in anesthesiology and a father—has provided me with immeasurable inspiration and deepened my understanding of the profound connections between family, life, and art.

Through my various professional endeavors, intertwined with the ever-evolving artistic journey, I have discovered that art permeates every aspect of my existence. It fuels my passion, nourishes my soul, and continuously beckons me to explore the boundless realms of creativity.