Found always challenging herself artistically, with an aversion to being in some sort of comfort-zone Barbie is a conceptual artist at heart.  Painting in an expressionist style for catharsis has produced a very large personal collection of artworks. The current works on display show a seed of new optimistic ideas, the golden spark with a goal of creating a sense of place and scale. - From works on show @ the Turner Centre, Kerikeri. DRAWING SHOW. June-July ‘23

There’s a popular quote you’ve likely heard before, ‘Art is never finished, only abandoned’, attributed to Leonardo Da Vinci.

In one sense, it suggests an aliveness in the act of creating a work that many artists, writers, and creatives would recognise. In another, it asks us to question what we even mean by finished in the first place and how contexts and the reception of an artists work changes. - artshub.com.au

Barbie is passionate about the realness of a viewers’ reaction to art. The responses are important in that she believes that there is a reason to explore and ask more questions. Why did this work make you feel this way? Art is such a useful tool to connect people with these feelings.

In the decades that Barbie has used visual art to respond to both internal/personal and global events she has leaned how to let the painting happen and to listen to what it is showing her.

Working in the design and communication fields has taught Barbie to ask the right questions of clients and create spaces that resonate with them. Experienced with paint and colour as a Colour Consultant working at the Resene colorshop. A background in Textiles from Spotlight Stores and Lighting from Lighting Direct. Combined with the practical spatial design tools from working in Bathroom and Kitchen Design with Mico Plumbing and currently in Wardrobe / Storage design at Wardrobes Direct.

Knowledge of colour theory and understanding the current trends help to build cohesive spaces that work on all levels.