Meet Barbara Kolo | Artist/Painter

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

Hi Barbara, what role has risk played in your life or career?

You have to take risks to move forward. It opens more doors for you and gets you out of your comfort zone. When risks pay off, it builds your confidence and helps you overcome fears. I found in my own career that the most successful artists take risks and the rewards are greater. When it comes to risk, I usually trust my gut feeling and do some research. Then, decide if it’s worth taking the risk.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

I would like people to know the story behind my paintings and how that story comes from my experiences. My painting style has its roots in art history. As a teenager, my interest was in impressionism. Of course Seurat, comes to mind. Also, Japanese prints and their use spatial relationships. When I was an adult minimalism became a favorite. After I started to exhibit my work, people encouraged me to look at aboriginal art and that lead me to look at how other cultures used patterns of “dots” in their art. My work is a combination of all these influences as well as my life experience.

I got  where I am professionally by painting long hours in the studio, maintaining a presence in the local art community, keeping up with social media accounts, honing my skills professionally, taking criticism well and realizing I can learn from it. Also, as Brené Brown daring greatly.

It hasn’t always been easy as my natural tendency is to be introverted, so I make an extra effort putting myself out there, and my husband who’s naturally gifted at starting conversations has helped. Also, I developed a win some lose some attitude about the rejection all artists face. This is very important. One has to be able to move on to the next opportunity quickly.
In general, I try to be honest with myself about what the challenges I face are and do my best to face them.

A few months ago, my sister, Cathy came to an opening reception for a group show that included my work. The exhibition was titled “California: Now & Then.” The artwork in the show was an eclectic group of California artists from the past and present. Cathy looked around the room and remarked, “Your work doesn’t look like anyone else’s.” That’s what sets my work apart.

When I experience a moments of creative break-through, I get excited. Something unexpected happens and the work suddenly looks so much better than you thought it would. It’s a magical moment. Also, there are times my work has been acknowledged and the whole point of doing everything I’m doing is fulfilled. This could be an important critic writing about my work, an artist I admire commenting on my work or an award. Then there’s the excitement of your first big sale. Hard to beat that feeling!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

I managed to put together a 5-day itinerary for a friend who is an art lover.

Day 1

Breakfast – Cafe Luxe in Brentwood Country Mart is always highly rated.
Morning – Check out the Santa Monica Pier
Lunch – The Getty Villa, lunch at their cafe and take in the view from the patio before exploring the collection.
Dinner – Pas Jolie on Main Street in Santa Monica. Great menu and wine list!

Day 2

Breakfast – Erewhon on Wilshire in Santa Monica. There outside area has great people watching.
Morning – Drive to Hollywood and check out the Hollywood sign.
Lunch – Tartine on Sycamore
Afternoon – Visit galleries in the La Brea area.  The Hole, Shulamit Nazarian, Faley/Klein. Then, over to Jeffery Deitch on Orange Drive. He always has cutting edge exhibitions.
Dinner – Musso & Frank for a taste of old Hollywood.
Evening – Pantages Theater, the MJ musical opens December 20th

Day 3

Breakfast – Candle Cafe Grill on Ocean Front Walk, Venice Beach
Morning – LA Louver Gallery. Then rent bikes on the beach.
Lunch – Venice Fish Taco across from the basketball courts. Don’t let the small store front fool you. My nephew says  they’re the best fish tacos, ever!
Afternoon – After  a walk on the beach head to YiWei Gallery on Abbott Kinney Blvd. and check out the scene there.
Dinner – Piccolo, Venice

Day 4

Breakfast – The Farm Shop in Brentwood Country Mart. Their bread is excellent!
Morning – Take a ride Downtown and visit the Arts District. Go to the impressive Hauser & Wirth gallery when it opens.
Lunch – Manuela, love the atmosphere there!
Afternoon – Explore the art collection at The Broad
Dinner – 71 Above, the highest restaurant west of the Mississippi with 360 views!

Day 5

Morning – Hike in Temescal Canyon
Breakfast – Hanks in the Pacific Palisades. Then, shopping at the beautiful Palisades Village
Lunch – Lulu in The Hammer Museum. Alice Waters and David Tanis are behind this gem.
Afternoon – Explore “Made in L.A.” at the Hammer.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

I’d like to dedicate my  Shoutout to my husband, John. When I was transitioning from my commercial art career to fine art, he was very supportive. He gave me the confidence to take a leap of faith and make this dramatic change in our lives. I’ve always been grateful that he enjoys going to the opening receptions of art exhibitions with me. This isn’t as common as you might think, spouses have different interests. Many artists go to this type of event alone or with friend. He’s been there for all the ups and downs, and is always encouraging me to keep going.

Website: www.barbarakolo.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/barbarakolo

Twitter: www.twitter.com/barbarakolo

Facebook: www.facebook.com/barbarakolo

Image Credits
John Hogg, Barbara Kolo