Hope Barton - Artist’s Statement For 25 years, I worked as a printmaker creating multiple-plate and hand-colored etchings. I showed in juried sidewalk art festivals. From 1997 through 2001, I owned a gallery in downtown Clermont, FL. During that time, along with teaching and demonstrating, I started doing a lot of acrylic painting. Since moving to St. Augustine in 2005, I discontinued the etchings, did some plein air painting and started creating larger studio paintings. During my walks with my dogs, I have found wonderful scenes at our beaches and in our parks. Painting the ocean and sea oats are a new challenge. My husband and I are traveling from the East Coast to the West coast of Florida on a regular basis and it has greatly influenced my work. My current work is about secret, sometimes small places that I have found by the side of the road, in state parks and boating through the creeks of Florida. What I want to say about Florida is not about what you see from a turnpike or major roadway. The real Florida lies in remote areas. You have to be aware of your environment and pay attention to what is happening. I love the road through the marsh in Dixie County. It is greatly affected by sunlight, tides and seasons. Sometimes the shots I get are in the middle of the day. The tides are high (or low) and the palms and palmettos are in various stages of growth in shades of orange, yellow, greens and browns. The creek bottoms can be muddy and dark but also at times clear with an orange creek bottom that is quite unique. The grasses go and come in stages of yellow, pink, maroon and lime green. Trees die, new growths crop up and the seasons change ever so slightly. It is my goal to bring this excitement of the “find”, the new colors on the horizon and moments of light to my viewer. My challenge and goal is to let you in on my secret places and hope you will retreat into my paintings and find a peace of mind. Currently, I am showing at Aviles Gallery in St. Augustine. To see more, go to: hopebartonfinearts.com.