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Welcome to Barb's Blog.

Posting some of my opinions, insights, ideas, and adventures about art, travel, plein aire, pastel, and whatever's happening. Join me, feel free to add comments, follow along as I paint and write and explore

August post

August 09, 2026  •  Leave a Comment

Sometimes the weather and the smoke wear one out, but hopefully some rain will come soon. Meantime I hustle around the studio and make new paintings, experiment with new ideas and keep behind the brush. I hope your summer is winding up well and you've had some fun with family and otherwise.

I am participating in shows at Confluence Gallery in Grand Junction, and the Creamery in Hotchkiss. In Confluence the show is Alchemy and Science. The Hotchkiss show is Shades of One. Both themes were a delightful challenge. If you get to Grand Junction or Hotchkiss please stop in. They have great art and are super galleries to visit. Plus the Apple Shed in Cedaredge has a gallery full of great art. Don't forget Applefest is the first week of October.

www.imconfluencestudios.com
www.creameryartcenter.org

www.theappleshed.net
ALCHEMY OF THE PASTORAL STUDY OF COLORALCHEMY OF THE PASTORAL STUDY OF COLOR30"x40" acrylic painting examining color in its many aspects

through 

August plus in Grand Junction Confluence gallery

Don't forget the Book Fair in Montrose Sept. 19 and Applefest the 2nd -  4th of October in Cedaredge. I'll be signing books there plus a bit of art.

SORCERER'S FORESTSORCERER'S FOREST20" X 20" acrylic painting of the sorcerer in the mystical forest showing in Hotchkiss August 14 through September 26 'Sorcerer in the Woods' Shades of One


something to check out

July 19, 2026  •  Leave a Comment

Summer Greetings

July 18, 2026  •  Leave a Comment

This is one of four paintings showing in the Confluence Gallery in Grand Junction through the July and August. The theme is an exploration of alchemy, science, and nature. 

I enjoy showing with other artists in confluence's creative shows. The themes are fun to build art around and so many creative works exist.

There are more interesting shows coming. One is in the Creamery in Hotchkiss, and a member's show at Grand Mesa Arts and Entertainment Center in Cedaredge, where I hope to participate. I'm always at the Apple Shed. There's a lot of great art there. I'll see you around the western slope this summer. Keep cool. See you soon.


greetings

June 11, 2026  •  Leave a Comment

May Dance at Confluence Gallery in Grand Junction

 

I hope everyone has been healthy and enjoying the coming of summer.

I have been painting for different themed shows. It has been fun to explore new themes and new prompts. With this in mind I hope you enjoy some of the latest of my work.

 

Paintings of mine are included in shows at the Creamery in Hotchkiss, Colorado, Confluence Gallery in Grand Junction, and I am exhibiting at The Apple Shed in Cedaredge continuously.  TWO RAVENS IN UTAHTWO RAVENS IN UTAHacrylic collage 20" x 20" on canvas.

Two Ravens is at the Creamery 

MORRIGANMORRIGAN

MORRIGAN, on display at confluence gallery in Grand Junction.

 


BUSY FALL 2025

September 16, 2025  •  Leave a Comment

September 15 through October 13 I will participate at the Members Show at Grand Mesa Arts and Entertainment Center in Cedaredge. The opening is from 4-6 on Friday the 19th of September. New watercolors for this show.

WALKING THE PERIMETERWALKING THE PERIMETERa girl and her dog walk around the property and its perimeter SANTA'S HELPERSANTA'S HELPERChristmas story in the west RASCAL AND HIS FRIENDRASCAL AND HIS FRIENDwatercolor painting of a girl and her pal. JOURNEY'S ENDJOURNEY'S ENDwatercolor that tells a story. the beginning of a life out west.

I also have work at the Creamery in Hotchkiss and plan to be at the Confluence gallery in Grand Junction in October for the dark Show. 

A quick reminder, the Barbara Torke show at the Apple Shed will be on for another few weeks, through Applefest in Cedaredge.  
TAILGATETAILGATEDogs in the back of a pick-up truck ride home to the ranch

Applefest, my family (Kathy and Hannah) from the front range and I will have a booth at the GMAEC. Lots of ornaments, jewelry, arts and crafts. October 3rd -5th.

come by when you are there for the festivities.

Kyle and I are working on a little book about ducks and geese. a thing I've been doodling with all year. Who knows what's next. I hope to see you around and about. 

RIDER page from bookRIDER page from bookRider, a goose on horseback from illustrations for a book by Dr. Mary Vader
gouache, acrylic on paper
SWINGING DUCK page from bookSWINGING DUCK page from book