Q: What significance do the folk art figures that you collect during your travels have for you?
Barbara’s studio
A: I am drawn to each figure because it possesses a powerful presence that resonates with me. I am not sure exactly how or why, but I know each piece I collect has lessons to teach.
Who made this thing? How? Why? Where? When? I feel connected to each object’s creator and curiosity leads me to become a detective and an archaeologist to find out more about them and to figure out how to best use them in my work.
The best way I can describe it: after nearly three decades of seeking out, collecting, and using these folk art figures as symbols in my work, the entire process has become a rich personal journey towards gaining greater knowledge and wisdom.
Comments are welcome!
Posted on August 6, 2016, in 2016, An Artist's Life, Art in general, Art Works in Progress, Black Paintings, Creative Process, Inspiration, New York, NY, Pastel Painting, Photography, Studio, Travel, Working methods and tagged archaeologist, because, become, collect, collecting, connected, creator, curiosity, decades, describe, detective, entire, exactly, figure, gaining, greater, journey, knowledge, lessons, personal, possesses, powerful, presence, process, resonates, seeking, significance, Studio, symbols, towards, travels, using, wisdom. Bookmark the permalink. 2 Comments.
barbararachkoscoloreddust.com 
It is wonderful that you have found your niche and that you love it. It shows. your work is full of joy.
Thank you very much, Sherry. Those are the only reasons to make art (in my humble opinion)!