"My subject matter, color and style are a very personal, intuitive part of me.  My intention is for those who view my work to not only see the color, value composition and all the requirements of a good painting, but to also come away with a definite feeling or impression of the timeless human drama represented."

Barbara Summers Edwards was born in Idaho. After graduating from Utah State University with a degree in illustration and free- lancing as a illustrator, she evolved into an oil and watercolor painter. Figurative imagery is commonly portrayed in her work. Barbara has received numerous awards and her works have been exhibited in international, national, regional, state and local juried and invitational shows. One of her paintings currently hangs in the Salt Lake City and County Building as part of the State of Utah's permanent collection.

Some of Barbara's awards and honors include the Oil Painters of American Award of Excellence, Utah Watercolor Society Award of Excellence and the Intermountain Society of Artist's First Place Painting Award. She has been juried into the prestigious Arts for the Parks Top 100 Exhibit and was featured in North Light Books: The Best of Portrait Painting.

Barbara enjoys working with both figurative and landscape imagery. She likes to use a mixture of contrast and subtly in her work. She has a very painterly approach, yet also feels the need and desire for a certain amount of realism. Her work can be found in numerous collections.