Barbara Solberg

My wife, Joy, and I are proud displayers of several Solberg originals, including two that grace the covers of my two collections of poems. I particularly admire the mixed media works. For me, art is less about subject matter than it is about "subjecting matter." That is, the artist has an eye for imaginative ways to create from ordinary materials. Solberg's matter/materials include the expected pastels, oils, inks, and papers (including hand-laid paper), but a close look at her mixed media pieces will reveal flakes of mica, linen cord, stones, wax, shark's tooth, shell, rose petals, metal, and more. These works make new worlds from pieces of our old world, or as Heidegger put it, making world (the revealed) from earth (the concealed).

I was fortunate enough to discover Barbara Solberg through the Lawrence Art Walk experience which is an opportunity to meet local artists in their home studios; after attending several of her open houses and purchasing pieces of her beautiful work for my office, I also  participated in one of her classes which was a very stimulating and satisfying experience.    Barb is a delightful, knowledgeable and gentle guide. I am so taken by Barbara's work as it consistently evokes and celebrates the natural world and its wonders.

I love Barbara's work because it comes from a place of deep experience that clearly comes through. As a consequence, the work is inspirational, grounding and has a complexity which makes it never boring hanging on the wall, even years later. I find it evocative and healing.

Barbara's work touches me at a very deep level. I have several of her pieces in my home and office, because they bring a sense of tranquility to my space. I appreciate her use of color, texture and natural artifacts, which seem to ground the energy in the room.

I live with three works by Barbara Solberg -- a pastel, a painting, and a mixed media piece (on loan from a friend). For me, Barbara's work taps into universal rhythms and archetypes. Looking at her work every day is a privilege that connects me to what is basic and deep. These works remind me what it is to be alive, to be human, to be on Earth with all these other beautiful souls.

Barbara's painting is the center of our newly designed room. The painting, of the Smoky Hill River, exudes the communion with nature, from the timeless flow of the water in the river, the stateliness of trees lining the banks, to the clouds in the sky communicate the beauty of Kansas and the sense of life ever flowing. Barbara's works have life in them, with a sense of connectedness to the land.