My name is Barb Thompson. I am an artist who specializes in painting and loves to study florals and vegetation. I paint from photographs of my own garden, as well as bouquets I curate from local floral shops. Through still life compositions, I strive to capture botanic life as a reflection of emotional memories. Plants are a standard in life’s big and small ceremonies. My goal is to produce relatable artwork that inspires remembrance of an experience. Inspired by a lifelong fascination with nature, I paint to record botanical beauty. I can get lost in the details of a flower, or ear of field corn. Nature often helps create core memories, and I have learned that creating work based on common Midwest vegetation, inspires many viewers to recall fond experiences. This shared love of nature, celebrated on a canvas, offers ongoing joy.

Growing up in the Midwest, I have learned to immerse myself in each season and enjoy botanicals as they bloom and change with the weather. My lifelong passion has been communicating visual ideas, whether it be through the computer or paintbrush. I remember being told to sign my artwork as a child, and feeling that accomplishment of creating a masterpiece. With a background in graphic design, I enjoy styling my artwork for print applications. I currently garden & paint in Cedar Rapids, trying to keep up with my two teens and balancing out my engineering husband. Inspiration: gardening, reading, browsing antique stores, and time-traveling by exploring historic buildings or watching musicals and movies.

BFA in Graphic Design from Iowa State University.