DENICE BARKER

Denice Barkers’s love of art began at a very young age. Her grandma, Dora Marler Williams, was an artist and gave Denice a few lessons in pastel. Denice remembers her grandmother’s gentle spirit, her art spirit and her work. “I also discovered that my language was a visual language, just like my Grandma Dora’s”.

Denice was raised on a dairy farm in North Ogden and lived on a dry farm in Idaho. She has a deep respect and love of Mother Earth and because of this feels a strong connection to nature and to the land. Every aspect of nature gives her a visual feast daily. “For me to try to capture all this beauty is a lifelong love I will have until I am no more-retirement isn’t in my vocabulary”.

Denice’s medium of choice is oil paints, with an impressionistic/expressive style in many of her works. However, she states “ I am still exploring. Actually, I am in the process of interpretation and the question is how will I interpret nature?” Right now Denice paints landscapes, animals, still-lifes or whatever “catches her eye”. She says “capturing the spirit, the energy, the essences and impression of the subject- this is the direction of my heart, hand and brush are taking me”. Her paintings have been described as having energy because of her use of color, brushwork and limited detail.

Denice studied art at both Weber State University and Idaho State University. She has also studied with various artist through classes and workshops including; Lorna Obermeyer, Kent Wallis, Kathleen Torgensen Murdock, Harold Gregor, David Koch and Diane Turner. “I’ve had some excellent teachers and positive support from my family and friends. I’ve been blessed. At times I feel the same way LeConte Stewart did when he summed up his life and motivation for painting by saying, that is the only reason I’ve painted, it’s been fun. I’d rather do it than eat”.