| Barnes, Earline |
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(1926-2005)
Place of Birth: Oklahoma History: Earline Barnes was born as Earline W. Payne on July 17, 1926 on an Oklahoma farm, but raised in Texas and California. She then married James O. Barnes. Throughout Jim’s military career, the couple moved and traveled extensively for over twenty-five years as the family grew to include five children. Upon Jim’s retirement as a Lt. Colonel from the U.S. Army in 1972, they chose to settle in El Paso. Barnes’ desire to be an artist was delayed as she focused her energy on raising her large, young family. In later years, however, as her children grew and left home, she directed her attention to the study of art. She began art classes in the early 1970’s studying under Carl Cogar. After a few years of lessons, Cogar urged Barnes to teach her own classes. She started slowly, teaching painting to children and senior citizens for the El Paso Parks and Recreation Department. After several years, Earline found her talent in demand and proceeded to teach workshops throughout the country. She gave demonstrations for art groups and also taught art classes in her home studio, culminating in a teaching career that spanned twenty years. Barnes actively painted for thirty-three years and is well known for her distinctive impressionist work and was also known as a colorist. She won numerous awards including many First Place and Best of Show awards. In recent years, Barnes’ artwork has been featured in many regional galleries: Advant Studio & Gallery of El Paso, TX, Glenn Cutter Gallery of Las Cruces, NM, El Presidio Gallery of Ruidoso, NM, Emerald Isle of El Paso, TX, Folger Gallery of Midland, TX, Hal Marcus Gallery of El Paso, TX, Joseph Bender Art & Antiques of El Paso, TX, Linda Lundeen Gallery of Las Cruces, NM, Mill Atlier Gallery of Sante Fe, NM, and Studio W Gallery of Las Cruces, NM. Furthermore, her work is included in many permanent private collections, including the El Paso Museum of Art, Ft. Bliss Air Defense Museum, El Paso Marriott, Sierra Providence Medical Center and the International Museum of Art. Barnes was a member of the El Paso Art Association, Knickerbocker Artists, Pastel Society of El Paso and the National League of American Pen Women. She also gave many hours of her time to public television’s KCOS art programs and appeared numerous times over the years as a commentator for the on-the-air art auctions. Earline W. Barnes passed away October 31, 2005 in El Paso, Texas, but her many years of contributions to the El Paso art community will not soon be forgotten. As an honorarium to the artist, the Sun Bowl Art Show in El Paso, in conjunction with the Sun Bowl Association, featured an Earline W. Barnes Award in November 2006. |