Entering the Void Painting

Barbara Friehs is a contemporary Austrian-Mexican painter known for her vibrant and expressive artworks. Her paintings often feature bold colors, dynamic compositions, and intriguing patterns, inviting viewers to explore the interplay between form and emotion. Captivated by eerie subjects painted in bold, bright colors, Barbara enjoys exploring various themes, infusing her cheerful and luminant style into depictions of everyday life. Her paintings immediately catch the viewer's eye, inviting them to interpret their own experiences and feelings. Introduced to the canvas at the age of twelve, Barbara realized early on that mastering the art would require skill and practice. Despite her early passion for painting and drawing, she chose to study advertising in San Francisco, California, initially uncertain about pursuing painting directly. However, she always found more joy in painting and drawing classes than in the marketing side of her studies. With a father from Mexico, Barbara frequently travels there, often working in Mexican studios alongside various artists. In Graz, she shares a studio with musicians, pottery artists, media artists, and fellow painters, finding inspiration in the diverse creative environment. For Barbara, drawing and painting evoke a deep state of meditation, allowing her to focus for extended periods and bring intricate detail to her artwork. Her paintings and prints are a blend of reference photographs and fantasy, with some pieces born solely from the realm of imagination. Currently, she is focusing on surrealistic topics infused with humor, hoping to inspire people with her artwork and introduce them to different worlds that resonate with their personality and state of mind.