Born, Sydney Australia.
A graduate student of the world-renowned East Sydney Art School, Barbara Tyson studied art specialising in life drawing, anatomy, mixed medium and watercolours before going on to graduate in Graphic Design. Barbara began work as an artist illustrator and her talents were quickly noticed and whilst still in her twenties was appointed Artistic Director for a stable of Australia’s most prestigious magazines.
Barbara travelled and painted throughout Australia, Europe and the United Kingdom and completed a multitude of watercolour works borrowing techniques and being influenced by a number of artists, but in particular Turner and Monet. In 1981 Barbara’s newly inspired works won first prize at two art exhibitions in Whitlesea and her life as an artist began.
Further studies with renowned water colourist Alvaro Castagnet gave her newfound freedom of expression and boldness. This led to studying the textures and depths of oils where she embraced portraiture and still life, emphasizing the play of light. Barbara continued her studies with many artists including creative painting with David Hill and portraiture with Archibald Prize winner, Reg Cambell at the Mitchell School of Creative Arts at Charles Sturt University. Capturing the essence of a person was one of her most satisfying achievements. Barbara says, "Seeing your subject emerge from the painting is amazing. A point arrives when touching the canvass is like touching their soul."
When Barbara met Italian artist Roberto Coppa he had the most significant impact on her art. He took her skills to a new level. This embraced styles from the old masters, impressionism, realism, abstractionism and their associated techniques. Painting became a reflection of her own life experiences and Barbara no longer painted from her head but from her heart!
Barbara has developed her own style, using varnishes to create a rich depth on the canvas - combining transparent colours with opaque, thick paint with thin, bold confident brush strokes with finely detailed realism, thick textures with smooth softness . . . all the contrasts that life brings to us . . . on the canvas. These techniques combine in expressing freedom, whether it be in communication, dress, lifestyle, emotions, work or relationships. Barbara loves movement, be it dancing music, sport, or the elements in landscapes. The common themes through all of her art are controlled freedom and movement. Barbara’s paintings stimulate the imagination, so that you become the artist. She creates a brush stroke; your mind fills in the gaps.
Barbara has captured the essence of people in many portraits, entering the Doug Moran and Archibald, and receiving many commissions over the years. Barbara’s 2003 Archibald entry, a portrait of radio personality and comedian Tracy Bartram, received excellent reviews from Australia’s press acclaiming her style and technique. Barbara has regular, highly successful exhibitions within Australia and her paintings have found appeal with many collectors and can be found hanging in England, France, Spain, Italy, United States, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, New Zealand and Australia.
Career History
2007 Suburban NYC & other works –Art Sydney
Suburban ‘New York Stories’ sellout
2006 Art Sydney-Suburban-sellout
2006/2007 Art Melbourne –Suburban-sellout
2005 Sell out with Suburban Affordable Art show - Sydney
Represented in the ‘Affordable Art Show’ Suburban Gallery
Exhibition ‘The French Collection’ Suburban Gallery
2004 Commissioned to paint in the south of France
Solo Exhibition, ‘The Freedom of Movement’, Art Associates Australia-Gardner Contemporary Art, Hawthorn
Represented in ‘The Affordable Art Show’
2003 Hung in the ‘Salondes Refuse’s’ (leading painting used to promote exhibition)
Solo exhibition, ‘Barbara Tyson Recent Works’ Richmond Gallery, Richmond
Entered the Archibald Prize, Tracey Bartram
2002 Dual Exhibition, ‘Spirited Heartlands & Movement’, Richmond Gallery Richmond (with Michael Weitnauer)
Started teaching weekly oil painting lessons
Entered the Doug Moran Prize
2001 Embarked full time painting career
1999 Taught painting at weekend workshop ‘Passion in Oils’
Began exhibiting at First Settlement Gallery, Sorrento
1st Exhibition, ‘Colorful, Evocative & Passionate Paintings’, Chapel off Chapel Gallery, Prahran
1998 Expanded growth in part time commission
1995 5 years part time study of the old master techniques with Italian artist Roberto Coppa
1993 Extensive art commissions with Coogi & Coles Myer used in Florence, Italy)
1990 Exhibited in Camberwell Art Show
1988 Studied portraiture with Archibald Prize winner Reg Cambell, Charles Sturt University
1987 Studied Creative painting with David Hill, Charles Sturt University
1984 Studied oils at the Doncaster Artists Society
1982 Studied water colors with Alvaro Castagnet, Managing Director of Logo Graphics
1981 Commenced painting commissions and selling art privately
1981 First Prize -2 categories Whitlesea Art Show
1980 Riverside Graphics Melbourne, illustrator/graphic designer
1978 Michael Bryce & Associates Qld, illustrator/graphic designer
1975/76 Painting watercolors while traveling Australia, England, Europe
1974 Cleo Magazine Consolidated Press Sydney. Art director, illustrator/graphic designer
1970 East Sydney Art School Diploma Graphic Design Subjects: Life Drawing, anatomy, illustration, fine art, watercolor
Recent Exhibitions:
2018 Sea, Sky and Space Group Exhibition – Manyung Gallery Sorrento
A Masterful Exhibition – Manyung Gallery Mount Eliza, Flinders & Sorrento
Affordable Art Fair Singapore Nov
Exhibited Camberwell Rotary Art Show, June
2017 Solo Exhibition Kew Court House - City Boroondara Arts PARTY ART PRIZE May, June & July
Solo ‘Summer’, Holloway Gallery Moffat Beach Sunshine Coast, October
2016 New Works – Manyung Gallery Mount Eliza Oct
Beaches, Seas and Sport Manyung Gallery Sorrento, Dec – Jan
‘Latest Works’, Holloway Gallery Moffat Beach Sunshine Coast, May
Exhibited Camberwell Rotary Art Show, July
46th Bayside Artshow, Sandringham Yacht Club, August
Exhibitor, QLD Tattersall's Club Landscape Art Prize
Winner, ANL Maritime Art Awards
2015 Group Exhibition Manyung Gallery Sorrento Jan
Blues Of Summer – Manyung Gallery Sorrento Oct-Nov
Dame Quentin Bryce official opening of Holloway Gallery Moffat Beach Sunshine Coast, March
Outstanding Women Artist Exhibition, Media House Gallery, Melbourne, May 13th
Exhibited Camberwell Rotary Art Show, June
Exhibited The 2015 ANL Maritime Art Prize & Exhibition, November
‘Latest Works’, Suburban Gallery, November
2014 Exhibited Camberwell Rotary Art Show, Feature & Demonstrating Artist, June
New Holloway Gallery opening Moffat Beach Sunshine Coast, May
44th Bayside Artshow, Sandringham Yacht Club, August
Solo Exhibition ‘Latest underwater Works’, Suburban Gallery, November
2013 Solo Exhibition Manyung Gallery Sorrento Nov-Dec
Christmas at Manyung Gallery Mount Eliza Dec
Solo Exhibition ‘Barbara Tyson’s Beach’, Suburban Gallery, March
Entered Archibald 2013, Dr Helen Caldicott March
Finalist, Victorian, ‘Salon des Refusés’, Hilton Melb South Wharf, June-mid August
Group Exhibition, A Passion for Life, Marriott Melbourne Hotel, June
Third Prize Bronze Award, Camberwell At Show
Solo Exhibition ‘Latest Works’, Suburban Gallery, December
2012 Exhibited Camberwell Rotary Art Show, April 2012,2 Highly Commended “Salon des Refusés”
Group Exhibition Manyung Gallery Mount Eliza Nov
2011 Exhibited Archibald Prize, April 2011 Finalist for portrait of Quentin Bryce
Exhibited Camberwell Rotary Art Show, April, Highly Commended
Exhibited Art Red Hill, May
2010 Very Special Kids Art Exhibition, March
Mornington Peninsula Art Show, April
Art Show Sorrento, May
“Art Melbourne” with Suburban 312 Gallery, April
Solo Exhibition, Manyung Gallery, Mt Eliza, May
Art Show Sorrento, May
2nd Prize People’s Choice Award, April
Mornington Peninsula Art Show, May
Painting on location South France Jul-Nov
2009 Solo Exhibition, Suburban 312 Gallery, May
Exhibited, Belvedere Vodka Art Exhibition, McCulloch Gallery, Rankins Lane Melbourne, June
Joint Exhibition, McCulloch Gallery, Rankins Lane Melbourne, July
Solo Exhibition, Glenferrie Contemporary Art, October
Exhibited, Sydney Art 2009, October
Solo Exhibition, Suburban 312 Gallery, December
2008 Exhibition, Tusk Gallery South Yarra, February
Solo Exhibition, In New York, Suburban 312 Gallery, March
Exhibition, Brush Strokes for Infant Strokes, Royal Children’s Hospital Fund raising, July
Solo Exhibition, Freedom of Movement, Manyung Gallery, Mt Eliza, October
Exhibition, Postsea Art Gallery, December
Exhibited, Postcards, Watson Fine Art Gallery, Burwood Road Hawthorn, December
2007 Solo Exhibition, “Recent Works”, Balwyn Cafe Gallery, April
Solo Exhibition, Manyung Gallery, March
Artz Blitz 2007, Kingston Art Centre, March
“The Sydney Art Show” with Suburban 312 Gallery, April
Exhibition, Suburban 312 Gallery, August
Exhibition, A Sensual September, Manyung Gallery Mt. Eliza, September
Solo Exhibition, Rhythms of the Sea, Manyung Gallery Mt. Eliza, November
Exhibition, South Yarra Art House, December
“The affordable Art Show” Melbourne with Suburban 312 Gallery, March
2006 Exhibition, “The Art of Romance” South Yarra Art House, July
Solo Exhibition, Suburban 312 Gallery, August
2005 “The affordable Art Show” Melbourne with Suburban 312 Gallery, March
Solo Exhibition, “Recent Works”, Private Gallery Toorak, March
“The Sydney Art Show” with Suburban 312 Gallery, September
2004 Solo Exhibition, “The Freedom Movement”, Art Associates Australia- Gardner Contemporary Art, Hawthorn, July
Represented in “The affordable Art Show” Melbourne with Art Associates Australia, April
Solo Exhibition, “Recent Works”, Suburban 312 Gallery, December
2003 “Recent Works” Richmond Gallery, Richmond, July
Entred Archubald - Painted Tracy Bartram
Hung in the “Salon des Refus’s”, Montslavate, November
2002 Duel Exhibition “Spirited Heartlands & Movement” Richmond Gallery, November
1999 Joint Exhibition, “Colourful, Evocative and Passionate Paintings” at Chapel off Chapel – Prahran
Achievements:
2017 Winner of the City Boroondara Arts PARTY ART PRIZE May
2016 ANL Maritime Art Award
1st Prize Mount View Art Show
Highly Commended Camberwell Rotary Art Show
2013 3rd Prize Bronze Award, Camberwell Art Show
2012 Highly Commended Camberwell Rotary Art Show
Winner “Salon des Refusés” Peoples Choice
2011 Highly Commended Camberwell Rotary Art Show
Archibald Prize Finalist
2010 Mornington Peninsula Art Show, 2nd Prize Peoples Choice Award, April
2007 1st, 2nd & 3rd Peoples Choice Award, St Kevin’s 37th Annual Art Show, May
2003 “Salon des Refusés” Finalist