First Friday events showcase local artists
Photo by Britany Adorno-Alicea
Paintings by Stephanie Jane Barney titled “Ethereal Flight” and “Generational Wealth” are displayed in the Rasmuson library.
By Britany Adorno-Alicea
First Friday, a long standing Fairbanks monthly tradition and celebration of local art, is here and along with it the chance to see some art from local artists including Stephanie Jane Barney. Various places around town opened for the first Friday, including the Bear Gallery.
UAF had three exhibits open for First Friday, two that showcased student art in The Pub and Arctic Java cafe, and one located in the Rasmuson Library. The Rasmuson Library was displaying art by local Fairbanks artist Barney.
Stephania Jane Barney is a third generation Alaskan and a self-taught artist. Her style is described as taking inspiration from older styles of art, while still remaining modern. She takes inspiration from the things she already has and begins her painting process in a place of fulfillment rather than desire.
Barney paints art that is true to her and that she would proudly live with. Her art process is intuitive and intentional, guided by emotion, memory, and play. Her collection on display in the library is about finding beauty in everyday life, quiet wonder, tenderness, and magic woven into ordinary moments.
“My grandmother was an artist and she always enjoyed painting figures,” said Barney. “I grew up visiting her galleries in California, and that’s where I found my likeness for drawing figures too.”
Photo by Luz Serrano
Large pieces of artwork by Barney displayed in Rasmuson library.
One of the pieces displayed is named People Will Take off Their Clothes before Their Masks. This piece, Barney said, was one of her favorites. ‘“Clothes” is a figure of speech in the painting. When you are getting to know them, you should be able to get to know who they are without them hiding behind a mask.”
“I always charge by square inch of the painting, because that way it takes all the emotion out, “ said Barney when asked about which of her paintings was the hardest. “I learned that very early on and it makes it easier to decide how much a painting is worth.”
Barney’s paintings evolve and change over time, her paintings often having multiple layers before she reaches the final look of a piece. “I keep building and coming back to it until it’s ready.”
She describes her art as being abstract impressionism and her art is meant to draw meaning from people’s own experiences when observing her art. “People always ask me, what is that to you?” Barney said, “And I always ask back, what is it to you? What do you feel?”
Barney’s exhibits will be on display from February till April and will feature other art pieces, such as Nothing is Missing, Landscape of Flesh, and Ethereal Flight.