I found myself lingering the longest in Barbara King’s studio space when I visited her home during the 2012 House and Garden Tour. On the way out, I grabbed one of her cards to remind me of her beautiful portraits. Katie’s recent house tour post mentioned the studio space, but we saved a 360 view for this studio tour post.
Barbara has a designated room to use as her studio. The space seamlessly flows from the kitchen to the living areas too, which makes it blend well into the overall decor. It’s hard to believe this room used to be a deck with wood paneling and a hot tub. The long white cabinet along the side window holds all of her art supplies. It was custom made for the King family at a previous home and though it looks like a built-in, it can actually move. It had to be slightly modified to fit this space.
Her studio has abundant natural light that streams in from the east and north.
Even a randomly stacked pile of art books next to her art supplies looks classy.
On her easel at any given time is one of Barbara’s commissioned portraits. The one she recently completed is an enlargement of a small family photo that she has recreated in sepia-toned charcoals. This is the framed photo her client gave her to use for inspiration.
How remarkable that she was able to enlarge and recreate the detail so accurately and beautifully. She’ll later matt and frame the portrait before presenting it to her client.
Her portfolio left open on the shelf shows a range of portrait styles, in oil and pastel.
These boys are so classic, one in a boiled wool sweater, the other in a double-breasted suit coat with brass buttons. Barbara skillfully put the emphasis on their bright eyes and soft faces bathed in light.
Today, Barbara mainly works in pastel. Although she’s been a professional artist for decades, she rarely shows her work anymore but stays busy with clients who seek her out mainly through referrals. She enjoys staying local, whereas in the past, she had an agent and traveled around the region for sittings.
The best way to reach Barbara to view her portfolio and commission a portrait is by phone: 703-684-1688.
