Barbara von Haunalter is November featured artist at Portola Art Gallery in Menlo Park

“Nature’s Paintbox,” landscape paintings in watercolor by Barbara von Haunalter, are on display during November at Portola Art Gallery in Menlo Park. The exhibit features plein air work created in and around the Bay Area. A reception for the artist will take place on Saturday, Nov. 3 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm.

Barbara, a resident of Los Altos Hills, enjoys painting on location with the Peninsula Outdoor Painters and the Half Moon Bay Painters. Her impressionistic work includes interpretations of the effects of climate on trees, plants, the ocean, its cliffs and harbors, barns and hills.

Primarily a self-taught artist, Barbara started painting at an early age on her family farm in rural Connecticut. Exposed to wonderful scenery, animals and plants there, she later went on to study Plant Science at Vassar College. Sketching weeds and seedlings for her classes, she realized she loved drawing more than science. Her first formal art instruction was at the Philadelphia Museum School of Art where she studied printmaking.

Moving to California, she was struck by the unique beauty of the western countryside and coast. She took watercolor classes and printmaking at the Pacific Art League. She also studied painting, drawing and computer graphics at Foothill College. She especially enjoyed the Palo Alto Adult Education outdoor painting class, which became the Peninsula Outdoor Painters.

Barbara is a member of the Santa Clara Valley Watercolor Society. Barbara also exhibits her work, including plein air oils, at Viewpoints Gallery in Los Altos.

Portola Art Gallery exhibits high quality, representational art by 14 Bay Area artists. Painting, pastel, photography, ceramics, glass art and sculpture can be viewed at the gallery, located at the historic Allied Arts Guild on Arbor Road.

“Bay Sunset” (2012, 21×29″, watercolor) is one of the paintings that will be featured in Barbara von Haunalter’s November show at the Portola Art Gallery.