Meet Barbara Freund | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Barbara Freund and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Barbara, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
I have many favorite quotes each with a foundation in kindness. I especially like something Martin Luther King, Jr. said– “If I cannot do great things, I can do small things greatly.” Small acts can have big impact. A simple gesture of kindness, a small donation or volunteering time, the gift of presence, all can have a positive outcome for the recipient-person,animal, planet. I believe wholeheartedly in the power of being kind.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Like many, I was not a full time artist until after retiring from my professional career. I have always painted ( as far back as 6th grade I entered an international art contest for Be Kind to Animals Week and received an honorable mention). Now I get to spend more time putting in those brush miles, telling stories with my paintings. I am inspired by the beautiful natural environment. Painting causes me to notice more (even when I’m not painting), and each painting may start a conversation with a viewer about a shared experience or special memory. Art speaks the language of shared experiences and provides a visual reminder of what we hold dear. Importantly, for me, I use art as a way to help charities. I donate a portion of the sales from my paintings to local rescue groups. Donations are based on painting themes, for example, beach paintings target marine mammal rescue, landscapes target conservation groups, western paintings target equine rescues, and so forth.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Favorite spots are plentiful here…everywhere you look is a potential painting! We have no shortage of beautiful beaches, local and state parks, hiking trails, all of which have their own distinct personalities and characteristics. There is even a lake in Malibu! If it were a first time in California trip I would take my friend on a coastal adventure starting in Laguna and head to Cambria. A must stop would be to pack up sandwiches from Andrew’s Cheese Shop (Montana Ave, Santa Monica) and a celebratory dinner after our return at La Vecchia (Main St, Santa Monica).

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
When I moved to the Los Angeles area I was introduced to the Allied Artists of the Santa Monica Mountains and Seashore, a group of nature loving artists that paint together on location , supporting each other with constructive tips on techniques and with artist painting demonstrations. The group, in their characteristic fashion, welcomed and encouraged me to join them in their paintouts and exhibit with them in their annual, highly anticipated shows from which a portion of sales proceeds are donated to fulfilling their mission of supporting conservation efforts. As a result of this encouragement, I have developed as an artist and have had several paintings juried into competitions and further recognized with awards. I am so inspired by the encouragement of this group that I now serve as its President to continue to promote their tradition of artists supporting rather than competing with each other.

Website: https://barbarafreund.com

Instagram: ravencliffstudio