Gwen Barnard facts for kids

Gwen Barnard (born in 1912, died in 1988) was a talented British artist. She was well-known for her skills as both a painter and a printmaker.

About Gwen Barnard

Gwen Barnard studied art at important schools in London. From 1931 to 1935, she attended the Chelsea School of Art. Later, in 1937 and 1938, she studied at the Euston Road School. These schools helped her develop her unique artistic style.

Her Artistic Style

At first, Gwen Barnard's paintings looked very realistic. This style is called naturalistic. Over time, her art became more abstract. This means her paintings showed ideas and feelings more than exact copies of things. Even as her style changed, she always loved to paint certain subjects. She often painted rock shapes and scenes of rivers. The River Thames in London was one of her favorite places to draw inspiration from.

Art Exhibitions and Groups

Gwen Barnard shared her art with the public in many ways. Her very first solo art show was at the Beaux Arts Gallery in London. A solo show means all the artworks were hers. She also showed her work in group exhibitions with other artists. She had more solo shows at places like the Camden Arts Centre in 1976. Her art was even shown in other countries.

Gwen Barnard was an active member of several art groups. She joined the Women's International Art Club. For a while, she was even the leader, or chair, of this club. She was also a member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters. These groups helped artists connect and share their work.

Book Illustration and Writing

Gwen Barnard was not just a painter; she also illustrated books. In 1955, she drew pictures for a book called Shapes of the River. This book was all about the River Thames. The book was published by a company called the Gaberbocchus Press. Gwen Barnard was actually a director at this press. She illustrated several other books for them too.

For many years, Gwen Barnard lived in Hampstead, a part of London. She worked in a place called Mall Studios there. In 1980, she even wrote a history of these local studios. Her writing was published in the Camden History Review.