Daily Inspiration: Meet Barbara Kolo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Barbara Kolo.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My story begins in New York, my artistic journey was shaped by an education most notably at the High School of Art and Design, followed by the School of Visual Arts, where I earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. This foundation was instrumental in developing the skills and vision that would define my professional path.

Upon graduating from SVA, I began my career in commercial art, focusing on designing film posters for major motion pictures. My dedication and creative approach soon led to recognition, earning me multiple Key Art Awards, the Don Belding Award, and a Gold Medal from the New York Festivals among many others.

I relocated to Los Angeles, to have more opportunities. There, I advanced to the role of Director of Print Advertising at Universal Studios, overseeing campaigns that shaped the visual identity of some of the most significant film releases.

My second career has been my first love of painting. My early passion for fine art never diminished. I stayed current with the art scene, and found time to paint in my busy schedule. Slowly, I developed a body of work and started to exhibit my paintings. Over the period of five years, I changed my career from commercial art to fine art.

My pointillist abstract paintings are inspired the naturally occurring repetitive patterns and shapes in nature. The fractal design of nature is a powerful and intriguing thing. It calms the brain and is that same feeling that many people experience when viewing my work.

Over the years, my work has exhibited in many gallery exhibitions on both coasts of the United States and in Europe. I have also had my work represented in many art fairs such as Art.Fair in Cologne Germany, Art Hamptons, Art Market San Francisco, Art Southampton, Context Art Miami, The Houston Fine Art Fair, Intersect Palm Springs and many others.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Like many artists, I’ve faced my share of obstacles and challenges along the way. An artist’s career is shaped not only by talent, but also by perseverance, as it often involves uncertainty, competition, rejection, and self-doubt. Beyond creating the work itself, there are also the practical challenges of covering expenses, finding opportunities to exhibit, building meaningful relationships, and staying true to my own artistic voice. The path is rarely straightforward, and it takes a strong passion and determination to keep moving forward. Still, these experiences have ultimately strengthened my work, encouraged me to grow and evolve, and deepened my commitment to my career as an artist.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My paintings are a unique blend of minimalist abstraction and pointillism, shaped by a range of influences rather than a single artistic category. I’m especially inspired by Asian art, particularly the spatial relationships, geometry, and serene atmosphere found in Japanese prints. My approach to pointillism also draws from elements of French Impressionism, as well as Aboriginal, Indian, and Middle Eastern art. In the age of AI, I embrace imperfection by painting each dot by hand. Those subtle irregularities remain visible, creating an intimate atmosphere and giving the work a sense of vibration, depth, and humanity.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
This Summer was very productive my work was included in a three artist show titled Summer Mediations at Launch LA on La Brea Ave. Currently, I have a painting in the Summer Show at Francis Gallery on Melrose Ave., where it will be on view until September 12th. I’ll also be showing several paintings in After Glow, curated by Abby Breuner, opening October 2 from 6–9 PM at Art Share L.A. in the Arts District in Downtown Los Angeles. Hope to see you there!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.barbarakolo.com
• Instagram: @barbarakolo
• Facebook: /barbarakolo

Image Credits
Eric Minh Swenson
Barbara Kolo