Mary Martin Gallery

Barbara Dave discovered at an early age that she loved to paint.  In 2000, after retiring from the field of psychology, Barbara pursued her long time dream. 

"I can pick a flower and it will last only a few days.  I will paint it and it will be forever in bloom.  The perfection I seek for myself already exists in flowers, my favorite subject.  With awe and respect, I express through oil on canvas the versatile color and vibrant sensuality of nature's work."

Barbara's is primarily known for her skillful use of light, color and shadow. Her extraordinary dedication to her art is evident in each painting.  Each painted canvas emits a breathtaking depth and luminosity which she achieves by layer upon layer of glazes, likened to that of the Dutch Masters.

Barbara visits greenhouses and well-known gardens, such as the Biltmore House and Gardens in Asheville, NC, for her inspirations. For Barbara, by taking photographs of the flowers, the camera becomes part of the  creative process, and what she sees through the lens of her Nikon camera is strictly her interpretation.

Barbara's works are in many private collections.