An Inspired Chat with Barbara Kolo of Santa Monica

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Barbara Kolo. Check out our conversation below.

Barbara, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
The path I’m walking has had some curves, but it’s clear and has a definite direction.
My goal was always to do something in the arts. I can only think of one point in my life where I wandered. It happened when I transitioned from commercial art to fine art. A time of searching for ideas and experimenting with materials was in order for me to find my own distinct vision. Soon, I was happily back on my path.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am an artist who makes abstract acrylic paintings in a pointillist, minimalist style.

My journey started in New York where I received my education in art, most notably at the High School of Art and Design, then at the School of Visual Art, where I earned a BFA.

I’m most known for a series of paintings titled Escape, started in 2020 during the pandemic, and which has evolved over time. I started out by painting concentric circular (or in some cases square) lines of dots, and progressing from light at the perimeter to dark at the center of the canvas. Color and tone create an illusion of depth that can take the viewer into their own private space. The shapes created are not precise, they have imperfections and variations that add to the character of the paintings.

I have been told many times how my paintings have a calming and mesmerizing quality. It makes me happy to know I have perhaps helped someone take a break from their stressful life.

Paintings from the Escape series have been exhibited at numerous art fairs, including Context Art Miami, Intersect Aspen, Art Market San Francisco, Art Palm Beach, and at my last solo show titled Elusion at bG Gallery in the Bergamot Station art district, Santa Monica. My work can be seen at Slate Contemporary Gallery in Oakland, CA, Fresh Paint in Los Angeles, and at Art Project Paia in Maui, HI.
I currently am working with an art consultant firm on commissions for corporate clients, and developing a new series of work.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
While in school I was lucky to have very good teachers. They offered encouragement and positive feedback, and over time I came to realize that I had the temperament to be an artist. Teachers would tell me they encountered many very talented students, but that most of them probably wouldn’t make it as a professional artist. It takes a certain type of person who doesn’t give up easily, can take criticism, and deal with rejection. My instructors saw these qualities in me before I was aware of it.

When you were sad or scared as a child, what helped?
I started to take art seriously when I was about 12 years old. I didn’t realize at the time, but it was a reaction to my father being very ill and in and out of the hospital. I began to do life drawings for hours on end, drawing plants and flowers, or setting up a still-life using things around the house. It wasn’t so much the subject matter, my aim was to develop drawing skills and to make the images look very realistic. Drawing very much helped me deal with this stressful time in our household, and it was a positive way to cope.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What do you believe is true but cannot prove?
I believe in intuition. If I am presented with an opportunity that may look good “on paper”, but have the gut feeling that something isn’t quite right, I’ve learned to trust my intuition. For some it may take a leap of faith to follow this silent guidance. In doing so, we make decisions based on a sixth sense that transcends logic, so over time I’ve learned that following intuition is clearly worth it.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
Having your career be what one of your passions, and getting a deep sense of satisfaction from the results is a sign you are doing what you were born to do. I become completely absorbed in painting until I lose all track of time. My chosen profession adds to my sense of purpose. For me, there is no boundary between my work and what I love to do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.barbarakolo.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/barbarakolo
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/barbarakolo

Image Credits
John J. Hogg