Barbara Jaenicke

Painting isn’t just a job or hobby for me. It’s a passion. Maybe even an obsession. I try to paint experiences and emotions rather than ‘things.’ To do this, I need to push beyond the basic mechanics of creating the work.

No painting is ever easy to me. Each one challenges me to create that magic that goes beyond just a painting of a thing. That magic doesn’t always happen in every single attempt, but it’s those instances when the painting ‘hits’ that makes it worth going through all the painful ‘misses.’ It’s a thrill and honor for me to share those ‘hits’ with enthusiastic collectors.’”

Barbara’s early career was spent in advertising as an art director, then later in a corporate marketing communications role. In 2002, she was able to turn her focus to a career in fine art, pursuing it full steam ahead, and continues to do so with stubborn determination.

Barbara works in oil and pastel, and strives to capture light-filled landscapes using a painterly, impressionist style. She holds Signature Memberships in Oil Painters of America (OPA), American Impressionist Society (AIS) and Pastel Society of America (PSA), and has earned the distinction of Eminent Pastelist in the International Association of Pastel Societies (IAPS).

Her award highlights include the Silver Medal in the 2019 OPA Western Regional Juried Exhibition; 2nd Place in the 2018 AIS National Juried Show as well as the People’s Choice award in 2014; multiple wins in Plein Air Magazine’s Plein Air Salon competition including September 2021 (Best Water), August 2021 (Best Landscape), January 2021 (Best Western), August 2017 (Best Water) and April 2014 (2nd Place); and multiple BoldBrush awards including First Place in November 2019, Best of Show in March 2015, and many Finalist awards. She has been featured in numerous art publications including Pastel Journal, Plein Air Magazine, Fine Art Connoisseur, Artists Magazine, and Southwest Art, and has served as a contributing writer for some of these publications.

After living in Atlanta, Georgia for 23 years, Barbara relocated in May 2015 with her husband and son to Bend, Oregon in search of snow and mountains. Primarily a landscape painter, she’s excited to explore and paint the spectacular scenery of central Oregon and the western US.