We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful BARBARA Fisher. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with BARBARA below.

BARBARA, appreciate you joining us today. What were some of the most unexpected problems you’ve faced in your career and how did you resolve those issues?

I never in a million years thought my studio would wash away down a river, but it did. I’ve worked in the River Arts District (RAD) in Asheville NC since 1998. Last September, Hurricane Helene blew in and wreaked havoc on Western North Carolina. The RAD was particularly hard hit. Many studios and a ton of art were literally washed away into the French Broad River. My studio took on about 5 feet of water. When the flood receded, everything had been tossed around violently and I was left with a huge mess of mud and ruined art . I lost about 50 paintings, along with all of my supplies, tools, furniture, books, photos, etc. I was able to save about 20 pieces that were hung high on the wall.
Long story short, 7 months later I am finally returning to my stark, refurbished space. I did get a couple of of grants and have had a lot of support from the community. But to say this was “unexpected” is an understatement.

BARBARA, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I have been a painter for 45 years. Although I had many jobs along the way, I always felt that painting was my vocation, my calling. I went to art school and learned all the basics, but I was always interested in depicting The Unseen – which for me means transforming internal narratives into a visual language. I developed a vocabulary of forms and marks which repeat and circle around on each over and over again, while new ones emerge. My work can be airy or very dense. Forms bounce off of each other and travel around the canvas; tangles of thoughts twist and turn and remind the viewer of a busy mind, or of trying to remember something….or of abstract maps. There are many ways to interpret my work, and I am forever fascinated by peoples’ projections and perceptions.

What I am most proud of is that I have always followed my instincts in my creative process, exploring new avenues in concept, in imagery, in materials – even when that sometimes meant alienating people…..people who didn’t want me to evolve because that didn’t fit with their marketing plan. I didn’t become an artist to turn myself into a brand. To me the creative process is one big question that continues to be asked and is never answered, except in small, transcendent moments.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I meet many people in my studio on days when it is open to the public. I am constantly amazed and delighted by the questions and comments they have. I love talking about the creative process. But often I hear things like “So it just comes to you??” or “This must be so much FUN”, or “You are so talented!” There is a romantic notion about artists, which I like to debunk and demystify. I love what I do, but it is not fun! It’s WORK. And it’s not Magic. Like any creative pursuit, it involves tenacity and persistence and struggle – and learning to live with failure sometimes. It’s a life long journey, finding and redefining your voice over and over again. It’s also a JOB. Some people ask if I only paint when I feel like it, and that is far from the truth.
You have to show up and work. “Inspiration” is fleeting – and also overrated. Yes, there are many magical moments when things fall into place, but for me the working process itself provides the inspiration.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Back to the flood……a day or two after Helene swept through my studio, I was allowed into the building to see what had happened. Opening the door and seeing that everything had been tossed and turned and thrown in all directions was quite a blow. Also, there was no power or water and the floors were caked with a few inches of toxic river mud, so I couldn’t get too far in to try to look. I think I was in shock for awhile, as it was just so hard to believe the river had risen this high. I had no choice but to be resilient. I got out what I was able to save, paintings hung high or on a tall shelf. The rest was cleared out and ended up in a dumpster. It was a huge loss, and I saw in retrospect that I went through the stages of grief – from denial to acceptance and everything in between.
It took seven long months for the building to be refurbished. New floors and drywall, all new paint and repaired wiring. The only upside of all this is that now I have a stark, beautiful studio where I can begin again. Some people said “Oh, you lost your life’s work!”. But of course that’s not true, I have paintings in homes and commercial spaces all over the country. I am most sorry that I lost my most recent work, some of which I had just had framed. They say the only way forward is through, and I have certainly been “through”.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://barbarfisher.com
• Instagram: @fishcakenc
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063068807397 (Barbara FIsher Painting)