H a p p e n i n g s

"Dreamlike” Work Blossoms In Gallery

By Michelle Felter

Published in the Standard Democrat  02/27/08

SIKESTON, MISSOURI — It was difficult for Depot Director Mike Marsh to come up with a word to describe the current exhibit, which includes work from Sikeston artist Barbi Myres.

“The only word I can come up with is ethereal,” said Marsh, who added he’s never had that problem the one and a half years since named director — or had such work on display. “It’s not impressionistic, not modern, but very colorful and dreamlike.”

Myres has problems labeling her pieces, too. “Sometimes it’s hard to describe your own work,” she said. So, she keeps a list of adjectives people use when complimenting her on the pieces.

“They call it ethereal, translucent, delicate, wispy, beautiful, contemporary, unique, fresh, romantic and transcending,” she said. “They love the movement and the stroke, the texture, the dimension and contrast, and they love the defined shapes.”

The 20 oil paintings on display — which reflect Myres’ primary medium — has a rose theme.

“I had a rose garden for many years,” said Myres. “I love roses and they have always been the forefront of my art.”

Although roses are the main subject of her paintings, Myres also paints body forms, dancers, landscaping and abstract pieces.

Marsh said the paintings of dancers don’t have faces, which evokes the dreamlike characteristic. “They’re just delicate,” he said.

Myres does that so the people viewing the art feel a part of it. “I want people who look at it to finish it with their imagination,” she said.

Myres added that with her paintings, she tries to evoke movement. “When people look at it, I want it to be alive and touch their heart,” she said.

Marsh said the unusual qualities of Myres’ work is what attracted him to it — and why he wanted an exhibit at the Depot. “I saw one of her works at an art show and I was very impressed,” he said. “Then I met her at a reception at the Depot for another artist and asked if she would be interested in the show.

Myres, whose paintings are on display at galleries in St. Louis and Texas, in addition to several solo exhibits, considered it an honor to be asked. “Especially in my hometown, where a lot of people don’t even know that I am an artist,” she said.

For Marsh, it’s something about the colors that draws him to Myres’ work. “Her use of light is what really fascinates me,” he said. “Sometimes, it’s almost as if you can see through the paintings.”

Myres was born on an Air Force base in Wiesbaden, Germany. The daughter of a German mother and American father who was in the Air Force, she moved quite frequently as a child, with the family following her father from one assignment to the next.

“That’s where she learned the art and cultures of different countries,” said Marsh.

“My mother made sure we went to every museum everywhere we went,” said Myres. She added that while those styles influenced her paintings, she has developed her own style.

“It is definitely a very unique look — I’ve never seen anybody else paint like this,” she said. “And the more we paint, the more we find our own voice.”

Myres moved to Sikeston as a young adult when she married her husband, Larry Myres. Although she dabbled in art since childhood — in fact, she sold her first piece to her high school art teacher — she didn’t get serious until 1994. “I had more time to myself,” she explained, since her children were older.

Myres’ show will be on display through March 30. Depot hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 to 4 p.m. on Sundays. It is closed on Mondays and holiday.

For more on Myres’ artwork, go to www.barbiart.com

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