Barbara Coffey-jones

Barbara was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, but grew up in a small rural town on Long Island among ranches, farms and horse stables.  She had dogs, a rabbit and parakeet while growing up.  She rode horses at a nearby stable whenever she could.  Many years ago she and her husband owned two thoroughbreds that they raced in Phoenix, Arizona, but now she just enjoys an occasional ride and painting them.  The first painting Barbara submitted to a competition was accepted at the prestigious Cincinnati Art Club "National Show in 2002.

Barbara is an artist who paints impressionist style paintings in a painterly way of nature and the animals and birds that are seen in the western and southwestern United States.  She completed a three year program in Interior Design at Saddleback College which helped influence her sense of design and color.  She also studied with American artist John Plumer Ludlum from the Chicago Institute of Art at his school in Tustin, California; Sebastian Capella from the Valencia Institute of Art in Spain at his school in La Jolla California and Jeff Watts Atelier in Encinitas, California.  These mentors along with art workshops from well renowned artists, some at the Scottsdale Artist School, Taos Institute of Arts and Art Institute of Southern California, had a remarkable effect on her work.

Barbara just recently moved from Southern California to Taos New Mexico with her husband and two Tonkinese cats. She has a studio/gallery overlooking the mountains in Arroyo Hondo.  She is looking forward to painting the lovely New Mexico landscape and the animals and plants of the area.Over the years Barbara has been honored with many awards including the "Award of Distinction from C.W. Mundy at the American Impressionist Society's 8th National Show and an "Award of Excellence" at the American Impressionist Society's Summer Salon Show at the prestigious Hilligoss Gallery in Chicago.  Barbara's paintings have been included in numerous national juried exhibitions and festivals.