BARBARA GRANT, visual artist Milwaukee, Wisconsin USA
I’m a visual artist – pretty handy with a variety of media. Over time I’ve realized I am an experimental artist. When an observation of a subject seems worthy of exploration my curiosity is peaked. This drives me to consider various options in my toolbox. This is part of the process: I need to discover what medium will best serve the project. For example, it could lead to a series of paintings, a cartoon, a collection of poems, a video, or maybe a set of watercolor notecards. The array of possibilities is what makes it so fascinating for me. However my projects proceed, I don’t think any of my art is without underlying symbolism.
In May 1989, a couple of months before my 40th birthday, I earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Northern Illinois University. Returning to school after my children were grown allowed me to experience bonding with artists half my age. I believe learning and working alongside these younger friends taught me to be more innovative in my approach to making art. It expanded my ability to adapt to changing technology and media. The bond created in that environment continues on as they’ve formed a group that I’m grateful to be a part of: The OddBall Art Labs in Elgin, Illinois.
Twenty years of making art and running my own studio business took a toll on my energy. In 2010 I began meeting monthly with a small group of artists in Whitewater, Wisconsin. After having operated as a solo artist for so long, it was a relief to share the load physically, mentally and financially. We gave each other feedback and exhibited our artwork as the Whitewater Circle of Artists. Getting together regularly over time regarding a passion we shared caused us to build trusted friendships. We learned a great deal from each other over the years.
In 2014 I trained with the local Alzheimers Association to learn how to facilitate their “Memories in the Making” program. This led to my assisting at a memory care home. The interactions I had with people suffering with dementia required a carefree approach that freed up an attitude of playfulness. Meeting in a group to paint small watercolors allowed chatting and memories to flow among the members. These recollections may not have been exact, but the stories were fun and I wrote them on the back of their paintings. Their loved ones cherished these sometimes final memories. Sadly this program ended with the beginning of Covid 19, but I have not forgotten how much fun we had and how it taught me to not take myself too seriously. To just enjoy making art.
In May 1989, a couple of months before my 40th birthday, I earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Northern Illinois University. Returning to school after my children were grown allowed me to experience bonding with artists half my age. I believe learning and working alongside these younger friends taught me to be more innovative in my approach to making art. It expanded my ability to adapt to changing technology and media. The bond created in that environment continues on as they’ve formed a group that I’m grateful to be a part of: The OddBall Art Labs in Elgin, Illinois.
Twenty years of making art and running my own studio business took a toll on my energy. In 2010 I began meeting monthly with a small group of artists in Whitewater, Wisconsin. After having operated as a solo artist for so long, it was a relief to share the load physically, mentally and financially. We gave each other feedback and exhibited our artwork as the Whitewater Circle of Artists. Getting together regularly over time regarding a passion we shared caused us to build trusted friendships. We learned a great deal from each other over the years.
In 2014 I trained with the local Alzheimers Association to learn how to facilitate their “Memories in the Making” program. This led to my assisting at a memory care home. The interactions I had with people suffering with dementia required a carefree approach that freed up an attitude of playfulness. Meeting in a group to paint small watercolors allowed chatting and memories to flow among the members. These recollections may not have been exact, but the stories were fun and I wrote them on the back of their paintings. Their loved ones cherished these sometimes final memories. Sadly this program ended with the beginning of Covid 19, but I have not forgotten how much fun we had and how it taught me to not take myself too seriously. To just enjoy making art.
Presently I’m back in Milwaukee and have settled in with a new group of friends who meet Saturday mornings to draw points of interest in and around our fine city. I’m always open to learning from other artists about new art supplies, techniques and soaking up their various views about anything and everything. There’s a good vibe that feeds my soul when I’m with the Urban Sketchers-MKE.May 1, 2025