Meet Beth Barnard | Portrait and Figurative Sculptor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Beth Barnard and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Beth, why did you pursue a creative career?
I grew-up with an artistic mother who had a kiln in the basement and did a bit of painting but pouring molds and painting ceramics wasn’t my thing. Instead I’d sit in her studio downstairs and draw faces. Although I pursued a bit of art in high school, once I went to college, I headed in another direction, eventually becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and psychotherapist. It wasn’t until later in life after my daughter had helped out at one of Alan LeQuire’s summer camps, that I received a random email from LeQuire, letting people know that he was doing an Open Studio with a live model where people could draw, paint, or sculpt. I decided on a whim to go and give it a whirl. I initially starting out by drawing, but at some point, in reference to sculpting, LeQuire encouraged me to, “Just try it.” The first time I touched clay, at 63 years of age, I fell in love with it and haven’t looked back. Now I can’t imagine my life without it.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I do ceramic, resin, and bronze portrait and figurative sculpture which people often describe as expressive and life like. The majority of my work is done from live models but I also sculpt from photos or imagination. I’m most proud of my first bronze portrait piece because to me it symbolizes the five years it took to be able to create it and look forward to getting some of my more recent sculptures cast in bronze or in resin.

I utilized the down-time of Covid to delve deeper into sculpting by taking on-line courses with New Masters Academy and from British sculptor, Amelia Rowcroft, but after Covid, began to travel throughout the U.S. to sculpting workshops given by seasoned master sculptors. My passion for sculpting as well as persistence have helped me evolve artistically but I felt a little awkward asI began to shift my lifelong identity as being a psychotherapist to also becoming an artist. As I began to know more artists personally, it helped me continue to make that shift and as I began to have more opportunities such as shows, scholarships, and galleries come my way, pursuing art began to feel more natural.

I’ve learned how important it is to keep growing in life and to make the most of opportunities that continue our development, even as we get more time on the clock. I guess I’d want the world to know that I value curiosity, persistence, and that I’ve been able to face the uncertainty of making it in the world of art, no matter how anxiety provoking that can become.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Depending on who’s visiting, for good food, I’d take them to Amerigo’s, Adelle’s, Hattie B’s, Germantown Cafe, or the Loveless Cafe. Aside from touring the Parthenon, the Centennial Art Center usually has interesting art exhibits in addition to the Frist. When I had a studio at the Clay Lady Campus, that was a fun place to show friends around. Many friends want to see the usual sights like the Bluebird Cafe, Music Row, and the Ryman. I’ve taken people to City Winery to listen to music and to 3rd and Lindsley as well as Puckett’s. I also love to go peruse downtown Franklin and tour some of the Civil War homes there.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Alan LeQuire, New Masters Academy, all of my sculpting teachers, and my mother.

Website: https://www.bethbarnardart.com

Instagram: bethbarnardart

Facebook: Beth Barnard Art

Youtube: @BethBarnard-rk1wy

Other: Tennessee Crossroads video: November 9, 2023